This paper was studied on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion characteristics of 316L stainless steel pipe welds was fabricated by orbital welding process. S-Ar specimen was fabricated by using Ar purge gas and S-$N_2$ specimen was fabricated by using $N_2$ purge gas. Ferrite was not detected in weld metal of S-$N_2$ specimen but the order of 0.13 Ferrite number(FN) was detected in weld metal of S-Ar specimen. Oxygen and Nitrogen concentration of S-$N_2$ specimen was higher than S-Ar specimen on HAZ and inner bead. The welds microstructural characteristics of S-Ar and S-$N_2$ specimens are similar. The microvickers hardness values of S-Ar and S-$N_2$ specimens welds were similar and average values of each regions were in the range of 174~194. The microstructures of S-Ar and S-$N_2$ weld metal were full austenite by primary austenite solidification. The Solidification structures of S-Ar and S-$N_2$ weld metal were formed directional dendrite toward bead center. The potentiodynamic polarization curve of STS 316L pipe welds exhibited typical active, passive, transpassive behaviour. Corrosion current density$(I_{corr.})$ and corrosion rate values of S-Ar specimen in 0.1M HCl solution were $0.95{mu}A/cm^2$ and $0.31{mu}A$/year respectively. The values of S-$N_2$ specimen were $1.4{mu}A/cm^2$ and $0.45{mu}m$/year.