Stainless Steel 316

Stainless Steel 316 is the second most widely used austenitic stainless steel and is specifically engineered for environments requiring superior corrosion resistance. The key differentiator from 304 is the addition of 2–3% molybdenum, which dramatically improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments. This makes 316 the preferred choice for marine hardware, coastal architecture, medical implants, and chemical processing equipment exposed to acidic or saline media. While slightly more expensive than 304, its extended service life and reduced maintenance in harsh environments often result in lower total cost of ownership. Like 304, 316 offers excellent formability and weldability with a non-magnetic annealed structure. 

Mechanical Properties

• Density: 8.00 g/cm³
• Tensile Strength: 515 MPa
• Yield Strength: 205 MPa
• Elongation at Break: 40%
• Reduction of Area: 60%
• Hardness: HRB 79–95
• Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa
• Thermal Conductivity: 16.3 W/m·K
• Melting Point: 1370–1400 °C
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 16.0 × 10⁻⁶ /°C

Advantages

✔  Superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride and seawater environments

✔ Excellent resistance to sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and organic acids at moderate concentrations

✔ Outstanding high-temperature strength — retains mechanical properties up to approximately 800 °C in intermittent service

✔ Non-magnetic in annealed condition; slightly magnetic when cold-worked

✔ Wide availability in various forms and sizes at competitive pricing

Machining & Manufacturing

Common Applications