Stainless Steel 316 vs 316L
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 316 and 316L are both stainless steel grades, both corrosion resistant ss. Both yield at about 290 MPa — strength does not separate them. 316 runs hotter in service (870°C vs 800°C continuous). On the shop floor, 316 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 316L (high, $$$$).
316Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
316 vs 316L: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Poisson's Ratio
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 580 MPa84.1 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 290 MPa42.1 ksi · Elongation at Break 50% · Reduction in Area 65% · Compressive Strength 290 MPa42.1 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 250 MPa36.3 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 130 J95.9 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 150 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,375°C2,507 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16 µm/m·K8.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Formability (cold) 85 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 73 kN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 218 kJ/m³ · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 316 | 316L |
|---|---|---|
| Casting & forging | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
| Passivated (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
| Plated (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. They share 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
316 vs 316L — frequently asked
What is the difference between 316 and 316L?
Stainless Steel 316 and 316L are both stainless steel grades, both corrosion resistant ss. Both yield at about 290 MPa — strength does not separate them. 316 runs hotter in service (870°C vs 800°C continuous).
Which is cheaper, 316 or 316L?
316 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 316L is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 316 or 316L?
316L, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for 316.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316 and 316L side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.