AbstractThis paper addresses numerical modelling of a rolled, austenitic stainless steel of grade AISI 316L, corresponding to EN 1.4404. The study comprises uniaxial tension tests at a range of temperatures (from –20°C to 200°C) and at two different strain rates (10–3 s–1 and 10–1 s–1). It appears that the material is very ductile and hardens significantly. The strength and hardening depend on temperature, while the strain‐rate effect is minor. The results from the tension tests are used to calibrate two different material models. The first one is a fully parametrized elasto‐viscoplastic model of Johnson‐Cook type, incorporating temperature and strain rate as variables, and including the one‐parameter Cockcroft‐Latham failure criterion. The other model is defined through direct input of the true stress‐strain curve at a given temperature and rate. This model does not incorporate failure. In the validation part of the study, the models are employed in numerical simulations of plane‐strain tension tests on notched specimens. It appears that both models capture the main features of the tests.