316 and 316L Stainless Steel

Type 316 and 316L are high strength grades of steel.  UNS S31600 and Grade 316, is an austenitic stainless steel whose major elements include chromium, nickel and molybdenum. The addition of molybdenum (unlike 304) is the component which gives Stainless Steel 316 increased resistance in highly corrosive surroundings such as salt water or chloride environments. Stainless Steel 316 offers better creep resistance at higher temperatures and greater strength than Stainless Steel 304. In the annealed state, Stainless Steel 316 is non-magnetic but can become slightly magnetic if extensively cold worked, further annealing would be necessary to correct this. Stainless Steel 316 cannot be hardened using thermal treatment. However, by cold working Stainless Steel 316, hardness and strength can be significantly increased.

UNS S31600/S31603 commonly known as Stainless Steel 

316/316L Dual Certified is the low carbon content version of Stainless Steel 316. Stainless Steel 316/316L Dual Certified is used in heavy-gage welded products (over approximately 6mm). One advantage over Stainless Steel 316 is that it is more resistant to carbide precipitation and can be used in the 797° F-1580° F range, which is more suitable for applications involving corrosion resistance.

  In most applications Alloy 316/316L has superior corrosion resistance to Alloy 304/304L.   Alloy 316/316L performs well in fresh water service even with high levels of chlorides. The alloy has excellent resistance to corrosion in marine environments under atmospheric conditions. The higher molybdenum content of Alloy 316/316L assures it will have superior pitting resistance to Alloy 304/304L in applications involving chloride solutions, particularly in an oxidizing environment.  

Applications 

• Chemical and Petrochemical Processing—pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, piping systems, flanges, fittings, valves and pumps 
• Food and Beverage Processing
• Marine 
• Medical 
• Petroleum Refining 
• Pharmaceutical Processing 
• Power Generation—nuclear 
• Pulp and Paper 
• Textiles 
• Water Treatment 

 316 or 316L in its Full Hard, 3/4 hard, 1/2 Hard and 1/4 Hard conditions are available as well.