Description
Austenitic stainless steel alloy 316 / 316L is a molybdenum-bearing grade. The high nickel and molybdenum content in these pipes offer better overall corrosion resistant properties compared to 304 grade SS. This resistance is particularly useful regarding pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. Moreover, 316 / 316L stainless steel tubes and pipes demonstrate exceptional high temperature tensile, creep, and stress-rupture strengths. Formability and weldability is also excellent. Unlike grade 316, 316L pipes are immune from sensitization, due to lower carbon content. Thus, it is commonly used in heavy gauge welded components.
316 / 316L Seamless Tube Properties
The following sections describe the properties of 316 / 316L stainless grade pipes supplied by Arch City Steel & Alloy:
Corrosion Resistance:
Better resistant in many atmospheric environments and various corrosive media compared to grade 304.
Resistant to stress corrosion cracking above about 122°F (50°C).
Good resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments.
Corrosion resistance to potable water at ambient temperature range is up to 1000mg/L of chlorides. This reduces to about 500mg/L at 140°F.
316 / 316L is commonly known as “marine grade stainless steel”, although it is not resistant to warm sea water.
Heat Resistance:
Exceptional oxidation resistance in continuous service to 1700°F (925°C) and in intermittent service to 1600°F (870°C)
- Fair resistance to carbide precipitation.
Welding Characteristics:
- Excellent weldability by all standard fusion methods.
- Unlike grade 316 metric tubes and pipes, post-weld annealing for maximum corrosion resistance is not required.
Heat Treatment:
- Grade 316 l 316L steel pipes cannot be hardened by heat treatment.
- Annealing temperature range is 1900 (1038°C) to 2100°F (1149°C).
Processing:
Hot Forming
- Recommended maximum forging temperature for 2100°F to 2300°F.
- It is not advised to forge the alloys at temperatures below 1700°F (927°C).
- The alloys can provide best corrosion resistance If annealed after forging.
Cold Forming
- Alloys 316 / 316L steel pipes can be easily cold worked such as roll form, swaging, cold heading, deep drawing, bent, etc. due to extremely tough and ductile properties.
- Severely cold formed parts should be annealed to remove stresses.
Machinability:
- These pipes are somewhat difficult to machine because of their toughness.
- Grade 316 / 316L steel pipes are subject to chip breaking. Hence, chip breakers and curlers are advised to be used for achieving best machining results.
- Large cutting tools and great amounts of cutting fluid must be used for the same.
- Heavy positive feeds at low speeds are recommended as 316 / 316L harden rapidly after work.
Applications:
316 / 316L stainless steel pipes are majorly used for following applications:
- Condensers, evaporators, and tanks
- Chemical processing equipment
- Food preparation equipment, especially in chloride environments
- Pollution control equipment
- Boat fittings, value and pump trims
- Rubber, plastics, pulp & paper machinery
- Heat exchangers
- Pharmaceutical and textile industries
- Laboratory benches and equipment
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
| Typical Chemical Composition % (max values, unless noted) | |||||||||
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N |
| 316 | 0.08 max | 2.0 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.03 max | min: 16.0 max: 18.0 | min: 2.0 max: 3.0 | min: 10.0 max: 14.0 | 0.10 max |
| 316L | 0.03 max | 2.0 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.03 max | min: 16.0 max: 18.0 | min: 2.0 max: 3.0 | min: 10.0 max: 14.0 | 0.10 max |
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:
| Typical Room Temperature Mechanical Properties | |||||
| Grade | Tensile Strength KSI (min.) | Yield Strength 0.2% Offset KSI (min.) | Elongation % in 2ʺ(50.8 mm) | Hardness (Brinell) MAX | Hardness (Rockwell B) MAX |
| 316 | 75 | 30 | 40 | 217 | 95 |
| 316L | 70 | 25 | 40 | 217 | 95 |
Arch City Steel & Alloy is one of the prominent distributors of stainless steel pipes and tubes in the US. If you want to know more about the 316/316L stainless steel pipe then you can inquiry for the product.
