316L 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.
Type 316 is an austenitic stainless steel with added molybdenum which gives the alloy improved corrosion resistance. Weldability of 316 alloys is excellent, and machinability is good. Type 316L is a low carbon version of Type 316 which minimizes carbide precipitation due to welding. Corrosion resistance is good - excellent pitting resistance and good resistance to most chemicals involved in such industries as paper, photographic and textiles, particularly in chloride environments.
In an offshore environment 304 will tarnish and show rust especially at welds while 316 wont. 304 is preferred in cryogenic (LiN, LPG, etc) over 316 and both preferred over any carbon steel which will become brittle. 304 and 316 can both be a quick fix where offshore carbon steels would other require charpy impact testing. 304 needs consideration of consumables, pass temperature and pickling and passivation when being welded for clean but corrosive service.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
Commercial applications for this engineering material include:
- Heat exchangers
- Pressure vessels
- Chemical containers
- Food preparation equipment
- Furnace partsValves & pumps
EURONORM: 1.4404, ASTM/ASME: UNS S31603, BS 316S11, Grade 316L, Alloy 316L, Type 316L
Carbon (C) 0.0 - 0.030 %
Chromium (C) 16 - 18 %
Iron (Fe) 61.9 - 72 % As Balance
Manganese (Mn) 0.0 - 2.0 %
Molybdenum (Mo) 2.0 - 3.0 %
Nickel (Ni) 10 - 14 %
Phosphorus (P) 0.0 - 0.045 %
Silicon (Si) 0.0 - 1.0 %
Sulfur (S) 0.0 - 0.030 %
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ductility | 60 % | 60 % |
| Friction Coefficient (static) | 0.06-0.15 | 0.06-0.15 |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 75 | 75 |
| Poissons Ratio | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Proof Stress | 170 Mpa | 24656.41 psi |
| Mass Density | 8000 Kg/m3 | 499.42 lb/ft3 |
| Shear Modulus | 77 Gpa | 11167.90 ksi |
| Tensile Strength | 515 MPa | 74694.42 psi |
| Yield Strength | 170 MPa | 24656.41 psi |
| Youngs Modulus | 193 GPa | 27992.28 ksi |
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (Linear @ 0-100°C) | 16 x 10-6 °C-1 | 8.90 x 10-6 °F-1 |
| Melting Point | 1400 °C | 2552.00-32.00 °F |
| Service Temperature in Air Intermittent | 870 °C | 1598.00 °F |
| Service Temperature in Air Continous | 925 °C | 1697.00 °F |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.5 J/g-°C | 220.93 BTU/lb-°F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 14 W/mK | 8.09 BTU/hr ft |