The reason for separating SS and carbon steel components during handling & manufacture is not to protect the CS components, but to protect the SS components.
The grinding residue/dust from manufacture of CS components in the proximity of SS components would contaminate the surfaces of the SS...
The thread title had me thinking that the OP is interpreting the "L" in "316L" as "low stress". I always thought the "L" refers to "lower carbon content" (which may result in lower mechanical strength). We used to specify the "L" grades only when needed for improved corrosion resistance...
Thanks for your time taken to respond, jguil.
It is interesting that you say SA-479 316 is listed in Table 5A, because I can not find it listed there. In our 2015 Edition (Customary Units) of ASME II Part D the 316 grades (UNS31600) are listed in Table 5A on page 418, but Bar SA-479 is not listed?
Assuming your design is to ASME VIII Div.1 and your ellipsoidal head has a K factor >1.0, it could possibly be due to End Note 90 which is referenced in App. 1-4.
Would SA-479 316 bar would be allowed for the manufacture of small pressure parts (typically 1" NPT couplings) to be used as shell penetrations, welded (set-through) into a new build pressure vessel of ASME VIII Div.2 construction?
I know this material is allowed for ASME VIII Div.1...
