abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd
© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn.
In particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions.
For more complete details please refer to the relevant specification – The BS EN Specifications for Stainless Steel
are listed on a separate Datasheet.
Stainless Steel Grade 316 / 1.4401
Stainless steel types 1.4401 and
1.4404 are also known as grades 316
and 3164L respectively. Grade 316 is
an austenitic grade second only to 304
in commercial importance.
316 stainless steel contains an addition
of molybdenum that gives it improved
corrosion resistance. This is
particularly apparent for pitting and
crevice corrosion in chloride
environments.
316L, the low carbon version of 316
stainless steel, is immune to grain
boundary carbide precipitation
(sensitisation). This makes it suited to
use in heavy gauge (over about 6mm)
welded components.
For elevated temperature applications
the high carbon variant, 316H stainless
steel and the stabilised grade 316Ti
stainless steel should be employed.
The austenitic structure of 316
stainless steel gives excellent
toughness, even at cryogenic
temperatures.
Property data given in this document is
typical for flat rolled products covered
by ASTM A240/A240M. ASTM, EN or
other standards may cover products
sold by Aalco. It is reasonable to
expect specifications in these
standards to be similar but not
necessarily identical to those given in
this datasheet.
Applications
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 & equipment
Coastal architectural panelling
Coastal balustrading
Boat fittings
Chemical transportation containers
Heat exchangers
Mining screens
Nuts and bolts
Springs
Medical implants
Typical Chemical Composition
% 316 316L 316H
C 0.08max 0.03max 0.1max
Mn 2.0 2.0 2.0
Si 0.75 0.75 0.75
P 0.045 0.045 0.045
S 0.03 0.03 0.03
Cr 16-18 16-18 16-18
Mo 2-3 2-3 2-3
Ni 10-14 10-14 10-14
N 0.1 0.1 -
Typical Mechanical Properties
Grade 316 316L 316H
Tensile Strength
(MPa)
515 485 515
Compression
Strength
(MPa)
170 170 170
Proof Stress
0.2% (MPa)
205 170 205
Elongation A5
(%)
40 40 40
Hardness
Rockwell B
95 95 95
Typical Physical Properties
Property Value
Density 8.00 g/cm3
Melting Point 1375-1400°C
Modulus of Elasticity 193 GPa
Electrical Resistivity 0.074x10-6 Ω.m
Thermal
Conductivity
16.3 W/m.K at
100°C
Thermal Expansion 15.9x10
-6 /K at
100°C
X
abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd
© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn.
In particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions.
For more complete details please refer to the relevant specification – The BS EN Specifications for Stainless Steel
are listed on a separate Datasheet.
Alloy Designations
Stainless steel 316 also corresponds to the
following standard designations and
specifications:
Euronorm UNS BS En Grade
1.4401 S31600 316S31 58H 316
1.4404 S31603 316S11 - 316L
- S31609 316S51 - 316H
1.4571 - 320S31 - 316Ti
Corrosion Resistance
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.
Heat Resistance
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
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.
Cold Working
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.
Hot Working
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.
Heat Treatment
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.
Machinability
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. This means coolants
and lubricants are necessary and must
be used in large quantities.
X
abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd
© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn.
In particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions.
For more complete details please refer to the relevant specification – The BS EN Specifications for Stainless Steel
are listed on a separate Datasheet.
Welding
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.
316Ti
Another variation of 316 is available. This
variation is 316Ti. Stainless steel grade
316Ti contains a small amount of titanium.
Titanium content is typically only around
0.5%. The titanium atoms stabilise the
structure of the 316 at temperatures over
800°C. This prevents carbide precipitation
at the grain boundaries and protects the
metal from corrosion. The main advantage
of 316Ti is that it can be held at higher
temperatures for a longer period without
sensitisation (precipitation) occurring. 316Ti
retains physical and mechanical properties
similar to standard grades of 316.
Supplied Forms
316 stainless steel is typically supplied by
Aalco in a range of finishes in the following
forms:
Sheet
Plate
Welded mesh
Quarto plate
Round bar
Flat bar and rolled edge flat bar
Equal angle
Square bar
Hollow bar
Seamless pipe
Welded pipe
Seamless butt weld fittings
Welded butt weld fittings
Flanges
Seamless tube
Hygienic fittings
Round, square and rectangular
decorative tube
This information is based on our present
knowledge and is given in good faith.
However, no liability will be accepted by the
Company is respect of any action taken by
any third party in reliance thereon
As the products detailed may be used for a
wide variety of purposes and as the
Company has no control over their use; the
Company specifically excludes all conditions
or warranties expressed or implied by
statute or otherwise as to dimensions,
properties and/or fitness for any particular
purpose. Any advice given by the Company
to any third party is given for that party’s
assistance only and without liability on the
part of the Company.
Any contract between the Company and a
customer will be subject to the Company’s
Conditions of Sale. The extent of the
Company’s liabilities to any customer is
clearly set out in those Conditions; a copy
of which is available on request.