What is stainless steel 316？
Stainless steel 316 is a type of austenitic stainless steel that contains molybdenum. 1.4404 is corrosion-resistant and has higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments compared to other grades of stainless steel. It also has good weldability and high temperature strength. It is commonly used in applications such as chemical processing, marine environments, and medical equipment manufacturing.
1.4404 is an acid-resisting austenitic stainless steel with 16% Cr, 12% Ni and 2,0% Mo. Due to its Mo content, this material has a significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to stainless steels. 1.4404 is resistant to reducing action of organic and inorganic acids as well as against halogen-containing media. Furthermore, this steel is less susceptible to pitting. The low carbon content also improves the resistance to intergranular corrosion and allows use at higher temperatures up to 450 ° C in continuous operation. 1.4404 can be cold worked and weld excellent. This material is mainly used in the chemical, textile and paper industries, and is often used in apparatus, in sanitary industry and in pipe fabrication.
Formed type and products of Stainless steel 316
- Sheet
- Strip
- Tube
- Bar
- Pipe
- Plate
- Fittings & Flanges
Applications for 316 Stainless Steel
Brewing and dairy equipment, evaporators, drums, barrels, heat exchangers, chemical and food processing, water treatment plant, chemical processing equipment, architectural and boat fittings exposed to marine and polluted atmospheres are typical uses for grade 316 stainless steel.
Equivalents of grade 316
| EU EN | USA – | Germany DIN,WNr | Japan JIS | France AFNOR | England BS | Italy UNI | China GB | Sweden SS | Czechia CSN | Austria ONORM | Russia GOST |
| X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4401) | 316 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | SUS316 | Z6CND17-11Z7CND17-11-02Z7CND17-12-02 | 316S31 | X5CrNiMo17-12 | 0Cr17Ni12Mo2 | 2347 | 17346 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2KW | 08KH16N11M3 |
Composition ranges for 316 grade of 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 50 mm) 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 |
Bar & Section – Up to 160mm Dia / Thickness
| Mechanical Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Proof Stress | 200 Min MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 500 to 700 MPa |
| Elongation A50 mm | 40 Min % |
| Hardness Brinell | 215 Max H |
Heat Treatment
Stainless Steel 316 Solution annealing is performed at 1065 – 1120°C, followed by rapid cooling to prevent the precipitation of the chromium carbides. UNS31600 cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Stress relieving is rarely required due to the high ductility of 316.
Weldability
Grade 316 stainless steel is readily weldable by most fusion techniques (GTAW / TIG, GMAW / MIG / MAG, MMAW / stick, SAW), with no preheat, postheat or control of interpass temperature needed. It is usually welded with filler metals of the same grade, 316 or 316L (or the silicon containing versions) which retains corrosion resistance and strength. These grades are pre-qualified weld metals to AS1554.6:1994 for welding grade 316 to itself.