Stainless Steel 316H
AISI/SAE 316H · UNS S31609
AISI 316H (S31609) is the higher-carbon variant of 316 austenitic stainless, carrying 0.04–0.10 % C to raise creep and elevated-temperature strength for ASME pressure-part service.
Reference datasheet — 316H 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 Annealed condition
316H tempers and conditions
316H is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot finished bar / forged, solution annealed | Large sections, flanges and forged pressure parts; annealed after hot work to restore code properties. | 240 | 550 | 45 | 160 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (approx. 1040–1120 °C, rapid quench) | Standard stocked condition for plate, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance, required for ASME code service. | 245 | 560 | 50 | 150 HB | — |
Cold rolled, annealed and bright-finished sheet (2B) | Thin sheet/strip for formed and welded components requiring a smooth bright surface. | 260 | 580 | 50 | 158 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for shafting and machined parts needing tighter tolerance, better surface and ~2× the yield strength of annealed bar. | 500 | 700 | 28 | 220 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Use when moderate strength increase is wanted with retained bendability; not a code condition for pressure parts. | 560 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Half hard | High-strength springy strip for clamps and flat springs where forming is limited to gentle bends. | 800 | 1,070 | 9 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 316H is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
TUBE-SA | Seamless tube/pipe, solution annealed | Supply form |
HRAP | Hot rolled, solution annealed and pickled plate | Surface finish |
What is 316H?
AISI 316H (S31609) is the higher-carbon variant of 316 austenitic stainless, carrying 0.04–0.10 % C to raise creep and elevated-temperature strength for ASME pressure-part service. It is used for high-temperature vessels and power and petrochemical piping, supplied as annealed plate, HRAP and cold-rolled sheet, cold-drawn and hot-finished bar, solution-annealed tube and 1/4 to 1/2 hard tempers. Annealed properties are about 245 MPa yield, 560 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB), with service to 815 °C. The higher carbon promotes sensitization, so for wet corrosive or welded-and-untreated service use 316L or 316Cb instead. 316H has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F). 316H has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 316H used for?
- High-temperature pressure vessels
- Power plant superheater and steam piping
- Petrochemical process piping
- Reformer and furnace internals
- Heat exchanger tube sheets
- Boiler headers and fittings
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 220 MPa·√m (200.2 ksi·√in), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 815°C (1,499 °F), better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 245 MPa (35.5 ksi), worse than 94% of stainless steel grades
316H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316H-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316H has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F).
Mechanical16
316H has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
316H is rated for continuous service to 815°C (1,499 °F). It conducts heat at 16.3 W/m·K (9.42 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.9 µm/m·K (8.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316H conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 63% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316H takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
316H's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. 316H is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 316H
Is 316H easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, ~30–40% of the speed used for 1212, and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can 316H be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316/316L or 16-8-2 filler; no preheat, keep interpass below ~150 °C, and post-weld solution anneal thick sections destined for wet corrosive service since the high carbon promotes sensitization.
Can 316H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability with high work-hardening — allow extra springback, use larger press capacity than for carbon steel, and hot form at 925–1200 °C followed by solution anneal.
316H 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cthe defining H-grade carbon range | 0.04 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 10 – 14 | 12 |
| Mo | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Nper ASTM A240 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on 316H?
Not anodizable; passivate to ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling. Takes a bright No.4 or No.8 mirror polish; avoid carbon-steel contamination during grinding.
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 316H in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S31609
How much does 316H cost?
316H 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.
316H — frequently asked
What is 316H used for?
316H is typically used for high-temperature pressure vessels, power plant superheater and steam piping, petrochemical process piping, reformer and furnace internals, heat exchanger tube sheets and boiler headers and fittings. In short: creep-rated 316; ASME elevated-temperature grade; higher carbon than 316L.
What is the yield strength of 316H?
316H has a typical yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 316H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, ~30–40% of the speed used for 1212, and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can 316H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316/316L or 16-8-2 filler; no preheat, keep interpass below ~150 °C, and post-weld solution anneal thick sections destined for wet corrosive service since the high carbon promotes sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 316H?
Not anodizable; passivate to ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling. Takes a bright No.4 or No.8 mirror polish; avoid carbon-steel contamination during grinding.
Can 316H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability with high work-hardening — allow extra springback, use larger press capacity than for carbon steel, and hot form at 925–1200 °C followed by solution anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316H?
316H is rated for continuous use to about 815°C (1,499 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 316H Annealed and 316H-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance, required for ASME code service. CD: pick for shafting and machined parts needing tighter tolerance, better surface and ~2× the yield strength of annealed bar. Yield strength is 245 MPa in Annealed versus 500 MPa in CD.
How much does 316H cost?
316H 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
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A276M and A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A213/A312 — Seamless Ferritic/Austenitic Alloy Tubes and Pipe (TP316H) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Allowable Stresses and Physical Properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.