316 / 316L Stainless Steel

Description

316 and 316L are molybdenum steels with enhanced resistance to pitting by solutions with chlorides and other halides. These grades offer tensile, creep and stress-rupture strength in higher-temperature applications. 316 and 316L offer better resistance to atmospheric and mild environments than 304 and 304L.

Design features

  • 316 is resistant to dilute solutions (1-5%) of sulfuric acid to 120° F (49°C), except in some oxidizing acids, where 316 is less resistant than 304.
  • 316 is susceptible to intergranular corrosion in the as-welded condition
  • 316 is prone to carbide precipitation from 800° F to 1500° F (427° C to 816° C)
  • Corrosion resistance can be restored by post-welding annealing
  • 316L offers same composition but with less than 0.03% carbon
  • 316L presents similar corrosion resistance and other characteristics as 316 but with added resistance to intergranular attack in the as-welded condition or with short exposures in the 800° F to 1500° F (427° C to 816° C) range
  • 316L is appropriate in applications where it’s impossible to avoid exposure in the carbide precipitation range and when post-welding annealing isn’t practical; lengthy exposure in this range may make the material brittle and susceptible to intergranular attack
  • Maximum temperature for scaling resistance is 1650° F (899° C) in continuous service and 1500° F (816° C) in intermittent service applications
  • Susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking
  • Slightly magnetic in the cold-worked condition
  • Nonmagnetic and nonhardenable in the annealed condition
  • Enhanced resistance to chlorides

Applications

  • Chemical processing
  • Nuclear applications
  • Rubber
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Paper and pulp
  • Textile industry
  • Plastics
  • Heat exchangers
  • Condensers
  • Evaporators
Product Type Size Range Wall/Pressure Class
Seamless Pipe 1/8” through 20” 10S, 40S (Std.), 80S (XH), 120, 160, XXH
Welded Pipe 1/4” through 36” 5S, 10S, 40S (Std.), 80S (XH), 160, XXH
Butt Weld Fittings 1/2” through 36” 5S, 10S, 40S (Std.), 80S (XH), 160, XXH
Flanges 1/2” through 36” 150#, 300#, 600#, 900#, 1500#, 2500#
Pressure Fittings 1/8” through 4” 150 lb Bar, 2000#, 3000#, 6000#
Swages 3/8” through 4” 40S (Std.), 80S (XH)
Outlets 1/4” through 2” 10S, 40S (Std.), 80S (XH)
Nipples 1/8” through 6” 40S (Std.), 80S (XH), 160
Valves 1/4” through 24” 150#, 300#, 600#, 900#, 1500#, 200WOG, 2000#

316/316L Chemical Composition %

C Cr Mn Mo Ni P S Si
MAX   MAX     MAX MAX MAX
0.035 16.0-20.0 2.00 2.0-3.0 10-15.0 0.040 0.030 0.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

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