Stainless Steel 316/316L
Stainless Steel 316/316L – Marine and Pharmaceutical Grade Stainless with Molybdenum
Stainless Steel 316 adds 2–3% molybdenum to the 304 composition, dramatically improving resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-rich environments. The 316L low-carbon variant minimizes carbide precipitation during welding, making it the preferred grade for welded pharmaceutical, chemical, and marine fabrications.
Key Properties
- Tensile Strength: 515 MPa
- Yield Strength: 205 MPa
- Molybdenum Content: 2–3%
- Hardness: 217 HB
- Corrosion Resistance: Excellent — superior to 304 in chlorides
- 316L: Low-carbon; no PWHT required after welding
Common Applications
Marine hardware and boat fittings, pharmaceutical processing vessels, chemical reactors, coastal architectural elements, medical implants, and food processing equipment. Certified to ASTM A240 / ASTM A276.
Material properties
| Material name | Stainless Steel 316/316L |
|---|---|
| Type | Stainless Steel |
| Standard code | ASTM A240 / ASTM A276 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 515 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 205 |
| Fatigue strength (MPa) | 207 |
| Elongation (%) | 40 |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 217 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8 |
| Electrical resistivity (µΩ·in) | 74 |
| Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | 16.3 |
| Melting range (°C) | 1375–1400 |
| Weldability | Excellent |
| Formability | Good |
| Shear modulus | 74 |
| Industry code | ss_316 |