316H Stainless Steel is a commonly used engineering material. This page provides a complete data sheet including composition, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and typical applications. Use this information for material selection, engineering design, and comparison with similar grades.
For elevated and low temperature applications the high carbon variant, 316H stainless steel and the stabilised grade 316Ti stainless steel should be employed.
Initially developed for use in paper mills 316 stainless steel is now typically used in: Food processing equipment, Brewery equipment, Chemical and petrochemical equipment, Laboratory benches and equipment, Coastal architectural panelling, Coastal balustrading, Boat fittings, Chemical transportation containers, Heat exchangers, Mining screens, Nuts and bolts, Springs, Medical implants and 316H is often used in high or low temperature applications and also for fasteners.
Grade 316 has excellent corrosion resistance when exposed to a range of corrosive environments and media. It is usually regarded as marine grade stainless steel but is not resistant to warm sea water. Warm chloride environments can cause pitting and crevice corrosion. Grade 316 is also subject to stress corrosion cracking above around 60°C.
316 has good resistance to oxidation in intermittent service to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C. However, continuous use at 425-860°C is not recommended if corrosion resistance in water is required. In this instance 316L is recommended due to its resistance to carbide precipitation.316 has good resistance to oxidation in intermittent service to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C. However, continuous use at 425-860°C is not recommended if corrosion resistance in water is required. In this instance 316L is recommended due to its resistance to carbide precipitation. Where high strength is required at temperatures above 500°C, grade 316H is recommended.
Fabrication of all stainless steels should be done only with tools dedicated to stainless steel materials. Tooling and work surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before use. These precautions are necessary to avoid cross contamination of stainless steel by easily corroded metals that may discolour the surface of the fabricated product.
Grade 316 is readily brake or roll formed into a variety of parts. It is also suited to stamping, heading and drawing but post work annealing is recommended to relieve internal stresses. Cold working will increase both strength and hardness of 316 stainless steel.
All common hot working processes can be performed on 316 stainless steel. Hot working should be avoided below 927°C. The ideal temperature range for hot working is 1149-1260°C. Post-work annealing is recommended to ensure optimum corrosion resistance.
316 stainless steel has good machinability. Machining can be enhanced using the following rules: Cutting edges must be kept sharp. Dull edges cause excess work hardening, Cuts should be light but deep enough to prevent work hardening by riding on the surface of the material, Chip breakers should be employed to assist in ensuring swarf remains clear of the work, Low thermal conductivity of austenitic alloys results in heat concentrating at the cutting edges and this means coolants and lubricants are necessary and must be used in large quantities.
316 stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 1010-1120°C.
Fusion welding performance for 316 stainless steel is excellent both with and without fillers. Recommended filler rods and electrodes for 316 and 316L are the same as the base metal, 316 and 316L respectively. Heavy welded sections may require post-weld annealing. Grade 316Ti may be used as an alternative to 316 in heavy section welds. Oxyacetylene welding has not been found to be successful for joining of 316 stainless steel.
Stainless Steel 1.4919 / 316H
Carbon (C) 0.04 - 0.08
Chromium (Cr) 16.50 - 18.50
Molybdenum (Mo) 2.00 - 2.50
Silicon (Si) 0.0 - 1.00
Phosphorous (P) 0.0 - 0.04
Sulphur (S) 0.0 - 0.02
Nickel (Ni) 10.00 - 13.00
Manganese (Mn) 0.0 - 2.00
Nitrogen (N) 0.0 - 0.10
Iron (Fe) Balance
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric Strength | ∞V/m | ∞V/ft |
| Electric Resistivity (@ 20 °C) | 74 µΩcm | 29.08 µΩin |
| Magnetic Permeability | 1.02 | 1.02 |
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Compressive Strength | 205 N/m2 | 0.03 psi |
| Ductility | 26 % | 26 % |
| Friction Coefficient (static) | 0.06-0.15 | 0.06-0.15 |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 80 | 80 |
| Poissons Ratio | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Proof Stress | 200 Mpa | 29007.54 psi |
| Mass Density | 8000 Kg/m3 | 499.42 lb/ft3 |
| Shear Modulus | 78 Gpa | 11312.94 ksi |
| Tensile Strength | 480 MPa | 69618.10 psi |
| Yield Strength | 205 MPa | 29732.73 psi |
| Youngs Modulus | 200 GPa | 29007.54 ksi |
| Viscosity | NULL Ns/m2 |