316 Stainless Steel
316 stainless steel is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic grade selected for stronger corrosion resistance than 304, especially in chloride and chemical environments. It is widely used for industrial piping, tanks, marine exposure, and hygienic processing lines.
This page provides practical specifications, typical properties, and common supply forms for procurement and export projects. Final compliance should always follow your confirmed standard and mill test certificate.
Key alloy feature
Molybdenum (Mo) 2–3%
Improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion.
Best fit environments
Chlorides and chemicals
Used where 304 may show early localized corrosion.
Common identifiers
S31600 / SUS316 / 1.4401
Confirm the governing code and product form.
Supply scope
Plate, sheet, coil, pipe, bar
Cut-to-size and processing available on request.
If your application faces salt spray, cleaning chemicals, process acids, or chloride-bearing media, 316 is often a safer choice than 304. It is also popular in food and pharmaceutical settings due to cleanability and stable corrosion performance.
- Chemical processing: piping, reactors, storage tanks, heat exchangers
- Marine and coastal exposure: hardware, structures, fasteners, supports
- Food and beverage: sanitary equipment and washdown environments
- Pharmaceutical and biotech: hygienic piping and vessels
- General industry: components exposed to aggressive media
316 is referenced under multiple systems. Use the project specification as the ordering basis, then cross-check equivalents for documentation.
| System | Designation | Typical note |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM / ASME | A240 / SA240 Type 316 | Plate, sheet, strip for industrial service |
| UNS | S31600 | Unified numbering reference |
| JIS | SUS316 | Common in Japanese specifications |
| EN | 1.4401 | European material number |
| DIN | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | Cross-reference used in many RFQs |
| GOST / GB (common) | 03Х17Н14М3 / 0Cr17Ni12Mo2 | Seen in RFQs; confirm code requirement |
The molybdenum addition is the key difference that supports stronger resistance in chloride environments. Confirm chemistry and heat treatment on the mill test certificate.
| Grade | Standard | C | Cr | Ni | Mo | Mn | Si | P | S | Fe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | ASTM A240 | ≤0.08% | 16.0–18.0% | 10.0–14.0% | 2.0–3.0% | ≤2.0% | ≤1.0% | ≤0.045% | ≤0.03% | Balance |
Values depend on product form and thickness. Use these as practical reference unless your order requires a different standard.
| Property | Typical minimum / limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ≥ 515 | MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | ≥ 205 | MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 40 | % |
| Hardness | ≤ 95 | HRB |
These values support engineering checks such as weight, thermal movement, and basic heat balance. For final design, follow code tables for the exact product form.
| Property | Typical value | Unit / note |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.98 | g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1370–1400 | °C |
| Thermal conductivity (at ~100°C) | 16.2 | W/m·K |
| Specific heat | 500 | J/kg·K |
| Electrical resistivity | 74 | µΩ·cm |
| Thermal expansion (20–100°C) | 16.5 | µm/m·°C |
LYHSteel supports 316 in common flat products and tubular products. Availability depends on requested tolerances, surface, and inspection scope.
| Form | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet (cold rolled) | 0.3–6.0 mm; width 1000–2000 mm | 2B, BA, No.4, HL, mirror (by request) |
| Plate (hot rolled) | 3–100 mm; width 1000–2000 mm | Cut-to-length and edge trimming on request |
| Cold-rolled coil | 0.3–6.0 mm; width 1000–2000 mm | Slitting available by tolerance |
| Hot-rolled coil | 3–14 mm; width 1000–2000 mm | Common for fabrication and thick sections |
| Strip | Width 7–600 mm; thickness 0.3–10 mm | Used for stamping and formed components |
| Seamless pipe | OD up to 610 mm; WT 1–100 mm | For process service per specification |
| Welded pipe | OD 6–3000 mm; WT 1–100 mm | Size/spec dependent |
| Round bar | Ø 1–200 mm; length up to 12000 mm | Machining stock for valves, flanges, parts |
| Flat bar / angle | Flat: width 20–800 mm; thickness 3–60 mm | Angle available on request |
316 is known for stronger resistance to localized corrosion in chloride service than 304. In procurement terms, it is often the default upgrade when chloride exposure cannot be avoided.
- Pitting and crevice corrosion: improved performance due to Mo addition
- Process acids: used in many chemical plants (final suitability depends on concentration and temperature)
- Marine exposure: used for coastal conditions and salt spray (design dependent)
- Hygiene: stable surface and cleanability for regulated processing lines
- Machining: similar to 304, but use controlled speeds and feeds to manage work hardening.
- Welding: suitable for TIG, MIG, and SMAW. Procedure should match service and code requirements.
- Post-weld performance: if corrosion performance at welds is critical, 316L is often specified to reduce sensitization risk.
- Forming: good ductility for bending and rolling with proper tooling.
Use these internal tools to confirm equivalents, estimate weight, and validate tolerances before issuing an RFQ.
What is SA240 316 stainless steel?
It refers to ASME SA240 Type 316, a common specification for stainless steel plate, sheet, and strip used in pressure equipment and industrial service.
Why is 316L often specified instead of 316?
316L has lower carbon content, which helps reduce sensitization risk and improves corrosion performance in welded structures, especially where post-weld heat treatment is not planned.
Can 316 be used in seawater?
316 is widely used for marine exposure and salt spray. For direct or stagnant seawater service, temperature and flow conditions matter, so confirm the selection with the project engineer.
Is 316 stainless steel magnetic?
316 is generally non-magnetic in the annealed condition. Minor magnetism can appear after cold working.
What is the melting range of 316 stainless steel?
Typical melting range is about 1370°C to 1400°C, depending on chemistry.
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