316 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 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments.
316 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 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. It has excellent forming and welding characteristics.
It is readily brake or roll formed into a variety of parts for applications in the industrial, architectural, and transportation fields. 316 also has outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not required when welding thin sections.
316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively used in heavy gauge welded components (over about 6mm).
316H, with its higher carbon content has application at elevated temperatures, as does stabilised grade 316Ti.
The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N | |
| 316 | Min | - | - | - | 0 | - | 16 | 2 | 10 | - |
| Max | 0.08 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 0.1 | |
| 316L | Min | - | - | - | - | - | 16 | 2 | 10 | - |
| Max | 0.03 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 0.1 | |
| 316H | Min | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0 | - | - | 16 | 2 | 10 | - |
| max | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18 | 3 | 14 | - |
| 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 |
Note: 316H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM no. 7 or coarser.
| 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 | 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. | |||||||
| 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 |
