Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in overall volume production to 304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments.
Grade 316L, the low carbon version of 316 and has very high immunity from sensitization (grain boundary carbide precipitation). It is extensively used in the oil and gas and chemical industries for its cost effective corrosion resistance and ease of fabrication. There is commonly no appreciable price difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel. The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. Compared to chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels, 316L stainless steel offers higher creep, stress to rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperatures.
These alloys may be considered for a wide variety of applications where one or more properties are important.
Chemical Composition (% by weight)
| 316 | 316L | |||
| Element | Min | Max | Min | Max |
| C | - | 0.08 | - | 0.035 |
| Mn | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| Ni | 10 | 14 | 10 | 15 |
| Cr | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Mo | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| S | - | 0.03 | - | 0.03 |
| Si | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| P | - | 0.045 | - | 0.045 |
Physical Properties
| Specific Heat (0-100°C) | 500 | J.kg-1.°K-1 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.3 | W.m -1.°K-1 |
| Thermal Expansion | 15.9 | μm/μm/°C |
| Modulus Elasticity | 193 | GPa |
| Electrical Resistivity | 7.4 | Ohm-cm |
| Density | 7.99 | g/cm3 |
316 Chemical composition: | ||||||
C | Si | Mn | Cr | Ni | S | P |
0.08 | ≤1.0 | ≤2.0 | 16.0~18.0 | 10.0~14.0 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.045 |
mechanical properties: | ||||||
Tensile strength σb (MPa) | Conditions yield strength 0.2 sigma (MPa) | Elongation % (min) | Hardness | |||
520 | 205 | 40 | ≤187HB ≤90HRB ≤200HV | |||
C | S | Mn | P | S | Ni | Cr | Mo | |
201 | ≤0.15 | ≤1.00 | ≤5.5-7.0 | ≤0.060 | ≤0.030 | 3.50-5.50 | 16.00-18.00 | |
202 | ≤0.15 | ≤1.00 | ≤7.50-10.00 | ≤0.060 | ≤0.030 | 4.0-6.0 | 17.0-19.0 | --- |
304 | ≤0.07 | ≤1.00 | ≤2.00 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 | 8.00-11.00 | 17.00-19.00 | --- |
304L | ≤0.03 | ≤1.00 | ≤2.00 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 | 8.00-12.00 | 18.00-20.00 | --- |
316 | ≤0.08 | ≤1.00 | ≤2.00 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 | 10.00-14.00 | 16.00-18.50 | 2 |
316L | ≤0.03 | ≤1.00 | ≤2.00 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.030 | 12.00-15.00 | 16.00-18.00 | 2 |
