Stainless Steel 316C16
EN 316C16 · ASTM CF3M
316C16 is the low-carbon British Standard cast equivalent of CF3M, a 19Cr-9Ni-2Mo austenitic stainless steel supplied solution-annealed, as-cast, SA+HIP, centrifugally cast or as-welded.
Reference datasheet — 316C16 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SA condition
316C16 tempers and conditions
316C16 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. SA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed | Standard supply condition for all pressure-containing castings; maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 250 | 530 | 50 | 150 HB | — |
Hot isostatically pressed then solution annealed | Choose for fatigue- or leak-critical valve/pump bodies where shrinkage microporosity must be closed. | 255 | 550 | 55 | 150 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | Permitted for this low-carbon grade: field welds and minor foundry repairs stay corrosion-resistant without re-solution treatment. | 255 | 520 | 40 | 160 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Only for non-critical, non-corrosive structural castings; carbide/sigma networks reduce corrosion resistance and toughness. | 265 | 500 | 32 | 160 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast, solution annealed | For cylindrical bodies, sleeves and pipe where the denser, directionally solidified structure raises strength slightly. | 265 | 550 | 45 | 158 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
What is 316C16?
316C16 is the low-carbon British Standard cast equivalent of CF3M, a 19Cr-9Ni-2Mo austenitic stainless steel supplied solution-annealed, as-cast, SA+HIP, centrifugally cast or as-welded. The low carbon lets fabricators leave weldments in service without post-weld sensitization concerns in chloride environments, at 250 MPa yield, 530 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation, 150 HB (80 HRB) and service to 700 °C. Corrosion score is 72 and machinability is limited by work hardening and tearing. Where as-welded performance is not required, 316C12 (CF8M) offers the same Mo-bearing chemistry at slightly higher yield strength. 316C16 has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). 316C16 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is 316C16 used for?
- welded valve castings
- pump housings
- seawater and brine service
- pharma/food process equipment
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
316C16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316C16-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316C16 has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical16
316C16 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
316C16 is rated for continuous service to 700°C (1,292 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316C16 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 73% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316C16 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
316C16's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 316C16 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 316C16
Is 316C16 easy to machine?
Work-hardens and tears: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed (avoid dwelling), 60–110 m/min with flood coolant.
Can 316C16 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/SMAW using 316L/ER316LSi or CF3M-matching filler; keep interpass <150 °C, no preheat, and post-weld solution treatment is normally unnecessary.
Can 316C16 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand, investment or centrifugal casting; feed generously (long freezing range, ~2.2 % solidification shrinkage) and hold FN 5–20 to avoid hot cracking.
316C16 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon cast grade (CF3M limit); some BS 3100 editions permit up to 0.07 % for 316C16 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Si | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.9 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 17 – 21 | 19 |
| Ni | 9 – 13 | 10.5 |
| Mo | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Febalance; ferrite number normally controlled to FN 5–20 | balance |
What surface finishes work on 316C16?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after grinding; shot-blast residues and free iron must be removed to restore the passive film.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 316C16 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- CF3M
How much does 316C16 cost?
316C16 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
316C16 — frequently asked
What is 316C16 used for?
316C16 is typically used for welded valve castings, pump housings, seawater and brine service and pharma/food process equipment. In short: low-carbon as-welded CF3M; no post-weld anneal needed; chloride-resistant cast austenitic.
What is the yield strength of 316C16?
316C16 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 316C16 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens and tears: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed (avoid dwelling), 60–110 m/min with flood coolant.
Can 316C16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent with GTAW/SMAW using 316L/ER316LSi or CF3M-matching filler; keep interpass <150 °C, no preheat, and post-weld solution treatment is normally unnecessary.
What surface finishes work on 316C16?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after grinding; shot-blast residues and free iron must be removed to restore the passive film.
Can 316C16 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand, investment or centrifugal casting; feed generously (long freezing range, ~2.2 % solidification shrinkage) and hold FN 5–20 to avoid hot cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316C16?
316C16 is rated for continuous use to about 700°C (1,292 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 316C16-SA and 316C16-AC?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for all pressure-containing castings; maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. AC: only for non-critical, non-corrosive structural castings; carbide/sigma networks reduce corrosion resistance and toughness. Yield strength is 250 MPa in SA versus 265 MPa in AC.
How much does 316C16 cost?
316C16 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- BS 3100 — Steel castings for general engineering purposes (grade 316C16) — BSI (1991)
- ASTM A351/A351M — Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts (CF3M) — ASTM (2023)
- ASTM A743/A744 — Corrosion-Resistant Iron-Chromium-Nickel Castings — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.