In this work the results of microstructural analysis and impact energy testing of austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L were carried out. Investigations were performed before and after annealing at 850 °C. Annealing time in this investigation varied from 30 to 90 minutes. After annealing, the samples were cooled in room temperature air. Microstructural analysis of initial rolled and different annealed states was performed by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with device for energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Impact tests were performed on Charpy V-notch specimens at room temperature. Initial rolled state of investigated steel showed the presence of typical elongated polygonal grains austenite and delta ferrite while annealed states showed the presence and evolution of sigma phase in microstructure. Impact energy value of initial rolled state was 260 J and by increasing annealing time it decreases
