Stainless Steel 316 (UNS S31600) is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher effectiveness against pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. It's got excellent forming and welding characteristics. It's readily brake or roll formed into many different parts for applications inside the industrial, architectural, and transportation fields. Grade 316 also offers outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing isn't required when welding thin sections.
Stainless Steel 316L, the lower carbon form of 316 and is also immune from sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively found in heavy gauge welded components (over about 6mm). Grade 316H, using its higher carbon content has application at elevated temperatures, so does stabilised grade 316Ti.
The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.
Key Properties
These properties are specified for Petroleum and natural gas pipeline products (flanges, fittings and pipes) in ASTM A240/A240M. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as pipe and bar in their respective specifications.
Composition
Table 1. Composition ranges for 316 grade stainless steels.
Grade
|
C
|
Mn
|
Si
|
P
|
S
|
Cr
|
Mo
|
Ni
|
N
| |
316
|
Min
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
-
|
16.0
|
2.00
|
10.0
|
-
|
Max
|
0.08
|
2.0
|
0.75
|
0.045
|
0.03
|
18.0
|
3.00
|
14.0
|
0.10
| |
316L
|
Min
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16.0
|
2.00
|
10.0
|
-
|
Max
|
0.03
|
2.0
|
0.75
|
0.045
|
0.03
|
18.0
|
3.00
|
14.0
|
0.10
| |
316H
|
Min
|
0.04
|
0.04
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
16.0
|
2.00
|
10.0
|
-
|
max
|
0.10
|
0.10
|
0.75
|
0.045
|
0.03
|
18.0
|
3.00
|
14.0
|
-
|
Mechanical Properties
Table 2. Mechanical properties of 316 grade stainless steels.
Grade
|
Tensile Str
(MPa) min |
Yield Str
0.2% Proof (MPa) min |
Elong
(% in 50mm) min |
Hardness
| |
Rockwell B (HR B) max
|
Brinell (HB) max
| ||||
316
|
515
|
205
|
40
|
95
|
217
|
316L
|
485
|
170
|
40
|
95
|
217
|
316H
|
515
|
205
|
40
|
95
|
217
|
Note: 316H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM no. 7 or coarser.
Physical Properties
Table 3. Typical physical properties for 316 grade stainless steels.
Grade
|
Density
(kg/m3) |
Elastic Modulus
(GPa) |
Mean Co-eff of Thermal Expansion (µm/m/°C)
|
Thermal Conductivity
(W/m.K) |
Specific Heat 0-100°C
(J/kg.K) |
Elec Resistivity
(nΩ.m) | |||
0-100°C
|
0-315°C
|
0-538°C
|
At 100°C
|
At 500°C
| |||||
316/L/H
|
8000
|
193
|
15.9
|
16.2
|
17.5
|
16.3
|
21.5
|
500
|
740
|
Grade Specification Comparison
Table 4. Grade specifications for 316 grade stainless steels.
Grade
|
UNS
No |
Old British
|
Euronorm
|
Swedish
SS |
Japanese
JIS | ||
BS
|
En
|
No
|
Name
| ||||
316
|
S31600
|
316S31
|
58H, 58J
|
1.4401
|
X5CrNiMo17-12-2
|
2347
|
SUS 316
|
316L
|
S31603
|
316S11
|
-
|
1.4404
|
X2CrNiMo17-12-2
|
2348
|
SUS 316L
|
316H
|
S31609
|
316S51
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Note: These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparison of functionally similar materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalents. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications must be consulted.
Possible Alternative Grades
Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 316 stainless steel.
Grade
|
Why it might be chosen instead of 316?
|
316Ti
|
Better resistance to temperatures of around 600-900°C is needed.
|
316N
|
Higher strength than standard 316.
|
317L
|
Higher resistance to chlorides than 316L, but with similar resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
|
904L
|
Much higher resistance to chlorides at elevated temperatures, with good formability
|
2205
|
Much higher resistance to chlorides at elevated temperatures, and higher strength than 316
|
Corrosion Resistance
Excellent in a range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media - generally more resistant than 304. Subject to pitting and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, and to stress corrosion cracking above about 60°C. Considered resistant to potable water with up to about 1000mg/L chlorides at ambient temperatures, reducing to about 500mg/L at 60°C.
316 is usually regarded as the standard “marine grade stainless steel”, but it is not resistant to warm sea water. In many marine environments 316 does exhibit surface corrosion, usually visible as brown staining. This is particularly associated with crevices and rough surface finish.
Heat Resistance
Good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C. Continuous use of 316 in the 425-860°C range is not recommended if subsequent aqueous corrosion resistance is important. Grade 316L is more resistant to carbide precipitation and can be used in the above temperature range. Grade 316H has higher strength at elevated temperatures and is sometimes used for structural and pressure-containing applications at temperatures above about 500°C.
Heat Treatment
Solution Treatment (Annealing) - Heat to 1010-1120°C and cool rapidly. These grades cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.
Welding
Excellent weldability by all standard fusion methods, both with and without filler metals. AS 1554.6 pre-qualifies welding of 316 with Grade 316 and 316L with Grade 316L rods or electrodes (or their high silicon equivalents). Heavy welded sections in Grade 316 require post-weld annealing for maximum corrosion resistance. This is not required for 316L. Grade 316Ti may also be used as an alternative to 316 for heavy section welding.
Machining
A “Ugima” improved machinability version of grade 316 is available in round and hollow bar products. This machines significantly better than standard 316 or 316L, giving higher machining rates and lower tool wear in many operations.
Dual Certification
It is common for 316 and 316L to be stocked in "Dual Certified" form - mainly in plate and pipe. These items have chemical and mechanical properties complying with both 316 and 316L specifications. Such dual certified product does not meet 316H specification and may be unacceptable for high temperature applications.
Applications
Typical applications include:
- Food preparation equipment particularly in chloride environments.
- Laboratory benches & equipment.
- Coastal architectural panelling, railings & trim.
- Stainless Steel 316L Pipe fittings, Stainless Steel 316 Pipe fittings, Stainless Steel 316 Flanges.
- Chemical containers, including for transport.
- Heat Exchangers.
- Woven or welded screens for mining, quarrying & water filtration.
- Threaded fasteners.
- Springs.
