Austenitic · UNS S31603
316L Stainless Steel
316L is 304 with molybdenum added (2–3%) for chloride resistance and carbon pulled down to 0.030% for welding. It is the default answer for anything coastal, marine or chlorinated, and the grade to specify whenever a part will be welded in service.
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Austenitic · UNS S31603 · 8.00 g/cm³
At a glance
316L Stainless — The Short Version
| Alloy family | Austenitic (UNS S31603) |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Standards | ASTM A240 · EN 10088-2 · JIS G4305 |
| Forms supplied | Stainless Steel Coil · Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate · Stainless Steel Tube & Pipe · Stainless Steel Bar & Rod · Stainless Steel Fittings & Flanges |
Chemistry
316L Chemical Composition Limits
Percent by weight. These are the registered limits, not a typical analysis — a heat that sits anywhere inside them is still 316L.
| Element | Limit (% wt) | Element | Limit (% wt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.030 max | Mn | 2.00 max |
| P | 0.045 max | S | 0.030 max |
| Si | 0.75 max | Cr | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Ni | 10.0 – 14.0 | Mo | 2.00 – 3.00 |
| N | 0.10 max |
Composition limits are the ASTM A240 registered ranges, which EN 10088-2 refers back to. Mechanical values are typical for the solution-annealed condition, not acceptance minima — the minima are set by the product standard, and the mill certificate reports the measured values for your heat.
Mechanicals
Typical Mechanical Properties (Solution Annealed)
Room temperature. Use these to compare grades — the acceptance figures for your order come from the product standard and are reported on the mill certificate for the actual heat.
| Condition | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed | 485 | 170 | 40 |
Cold-worked tempers are available to order — values are quoted with the offer rather than assumed from this table.
Forms
316L in the Forms We Supply
The same grade behaves differently as coil, plate and tube because the forming route sets the surface and the final mechanical condition. Pick the form first.
Stainless Steel Coil
Cold-rolled and hot-rolled coil in 200 / 300 / 400 series.
0.3 – 8.0 mm · 600 – 2,000 mm
Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate
Cold-rolled sheet and hot-rolled plate for structural and decorative use.
0.3 – 120 mm · 1,000 – 2,000 mm
Stainless Steel Tube & Pipe
Seamless and welded round, square and rectangular tube.
Wall 0.5 – 40 mm · OD 6 – 630 mm
Stainless Steel Bar & Rod
Round, flat, square and hexagonal bar, cold drawn or hot rolled.
Ø 3 – 600 mm · —
Stainless Steel Fittings & Flanges
Elbows, tees, reducers, flanges, fasteners and custom fabricated parts.
DN 15 – DN 600 · —
Selection
Choose 316L When — and When Not To
Choose 316L when
Coastal facades, marine hardware, chemical and food process lines, pharmaceutical equipment, and any welded assembly in chloride service. The molybdenum raises the pitting resistance enough to survive salt air and chlorinated water that would pit 304.
Think again if
Indoor, dry, non-welded applications where 304 already does the job — the molybdenum premium buys nothing there. And do not use 316L where a duplex like 2205 is needed for stress-corrosion resistance under load.
Before you ask
316L — Questions Buyers Ask
What is 316L PREN?
Around 24–26 by PREN = Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N. Above roughly 24 the alloy resists the chloride levels that start pitting 304. It is the shorthand engineers use to justify the 316L premium.
Is 316L the same as 316?
No — the carbon limit differs (0.030% vs 0.08%). For welded service, specify 316L explicitly; "316" on the drawing does not guarantee the low-carbon grade.
Does 316L rust?
It stains and pits less than 304 but it is not immune. In severe chloride or crevice conditions it can still pit. For those conditions, a duplex grade is the honest answer.
What forms does 316L come in?
Coil, sheet, plate, tube and pipe, bar, and fittings and flanges — the marine and chemical grades are stocked across most forms because demand is steady.
Also compare
Other Stainless Grades
- 304 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S30400
- 2205 Stainless SteelDuplex · UNS S32205
- 304L Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S30403
- 316 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S31600
- 201 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S20100
- 430 Stainless SteelFerritic · UNS S43000
- 321 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S32100
- 310S Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S31008
- All stainless grades →The full stainless grade map
Quote on 316L Stainless Steel
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