Stainless Steel 316L As Sintered vs 316L Stress Relieved
Stainless Steel · 316L temper comparison
316L As Sintered and 316L Stress Relieved are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 316L: As Sintered (sintered) versus Stress Relieved. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 316L Stress Relieved is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for 316L As Sintered, about 130% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). 316L Stress Relieved is harder — 190 HB against 125 HB for 316L As Sintered — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 316L Stress Relieved is stiffer (193 GPa vs 175 GPa) and 316L As Sintered runs hotter in service (800°C vs 600°C continuous). On the shop floor, 316L Stress Relieved forms better (good vs fair).
316L As SinteredChoose it when the part sees heat.
316L Stress RelievedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
316L As Sintered vs 316L Stress Relieved: 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.
316L As Sintered316L Stress Relieved
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.27 · Elongation at Break 45%
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.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 50 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%
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.
316L As Sintered vs 316L Stress Relieved — frequently asked
Is 316L Stress Relieved stronger than 316L As Sintered?
Yes. 316L Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 200 MPa (29 ksi) for 316L As Sintered — about 130% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, As Sintered or Stress Relieved?
Solution Annealed is the default 316L condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither As Sintered nor Stress Relieved). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
When should I choose 316L As Sintered over 316L Stress Relieved?
Pick 316L As Sintered when the part sees heat. Pick 316L Stress Relieved when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316L As Sintered and 316L Stress Relieved 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.