Stainless Steel 316L
AISI/SAE 316L · UNS S31603 · EN 1.4404, X2CrNiMo17-12-2 · JIS SUS316L · GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2, 022Cr17Ni12Mo2
316L is the low-carbon version of the 18-8-Mo austenitic stainless steel family, with 2–3 % molybdenum that markedly improves resistance to chlorides, pitting and crevice attack compared with 304/304L.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
316L tempers and conditions
316L is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. Solution Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
- As Sintered
- HIP
- Annealed
- Solution Annealed
- Stress Relieved
- Cold Rolled
- Cold Drawn
- As Printed
- 1/4 Hard
- 1/2 Hard
- 3/4 Hard
- Full Hard
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
binder jetting / metal-filament extrusion, debound and sintered | Binder-jet or bound-metal-deposition 316L after debind and sinter: near-wrought annealed properties but 1–4 % residual porosity lowers strength, ductility and fatigue life. | 200 | 520 | 45 | 125 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Closes AM/PM porosity and fully recrystallises the structure: lowest strength but best ductility, toughness and fatigue consistency — used for pressure-containing and fatigue-critical AM parts. | 260 | 550 | 60 | 150 HB | — |
mill-annealed sheet/strip/wire | Commercial mill-annealed strip, wire and thin sheet; mechanically equivalent to solution annealed for this austenitic grade. | 280 | 565 | 50 | 150 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1040–1120 °C, rapid cool | Default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, tube and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance, ductility and toughness. | 290 | 580 | 50 | 150 HB | — |
low-temperature stress relief (450–650 °C) of cold-worked or additively manufactured parts | Used to cut residual stress in welded, machined or L-PBF parts while keeping most of the cold-worked / as-built strength. | 460 | 620 | 45 | 13 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
temper-rolled sheet/strip (light to moderate cold work) | Choose when higher yield strength and springiness are needed in sheet or strip and full annealed ductility is not required. | 480 | 700 | 28 | 210 HB | — |
cold-finished bar, wire and tube | Standard condition for cold-finished bar and wire: tighter tolerances, bright finish and roughly 60 % higher yield strength than annealed. | 500 | 700 | 25 | 215 HB | — |
laser powder-bed fusion / DED, as-built | As-built L-PBF 316L: fine cellular solidification structure gives much higher yield strength than wrought annealed material, with anisotropy and residual stress. | 510 | 640 | 40 | 92 HRB | 14 W/m·K |
Quarter hard | Light-temper strip/sheet where moderate strength plus some bending ability is needed (clamps, brackets, springs with large radii). | 560 | 880 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Half hard | High-strength strip for flat springs, shims and formed parts with generous bend radii. | 790 | 1,060 | 8 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum strength strip for spring washers and flat springs with minimal forming. | 950 | 1,230 | 6 | 36 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
heavily cold rolled strip | Maximum cold-worked strength for springs, blades and shims; essentially no cold forming possible. | 1,000 | 1,300 | 4 | 40 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 316L?
316L is the low-carbon version of the 18-8-Mo austenitic stainless steel family, with 2–3 % molybdenum that markedly improves resistance to chlorides, pitting and crevice attack compared with 304/304L. The ≤0.030 % C limit suppresses grain-boundary carbide precipitation, so welded and heavy-section parts can be used as-welded without post-weld annealing. Limits are modest room-temperature yield strength (~290 MPa unless cold worked), poor machinability with heavy work-hardening, susceptibility to chloride stress-corrosion cracking above ~60 °C, and higher cost than 304 because of Ni and Mo. 316L 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). 316L has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is 316L used for?
- Welded marine structures and hardware
- Pump and valve bodies for seawater
- Medical device enclosures and instruments
- Food and pharmaceutical process piping
- Heat exchanger plates and tube fittings
- Chemical storage tank fittings
- Semiconductor gas-line components
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
316L properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316L-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316L 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
316L has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
316L is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316L conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316L takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
316L's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. 316L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 316L
Is 316L easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, constant feed and surface speeds ~30 % below carbon steel; avoid dwelling to prevent a hardened skin.
Can 316L be welded?
Very good with GTAW/GMAW/laser/resistance using ER316L or 316LSi filler, argon backing and no preheat; low carbon means no post-weld anneal is needed, keep interpass temperature low to limit distortion and sigma phase.
Can 316L be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and bending thanks to a high n-value, but expect ~2× the press force of mild steel, high springback and heavy work hardening — plan intermediate anneals for severe draws.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 316L. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better90 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1× thickness |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5 – 6 mm |
| Spring-back | High |
| Welding processes | TIG, MIG, SPOT, SEAM, LASER |
3D printing
| Technologies | DMLS |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 20 – 60 µmdefault 30 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 0.5 / 0.3 mm |
| Build envelope | 250 × 250 × 325 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Mild |
| Mandatory post-processing | heat treatment |
316L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.035 max for some tube/pipe products | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si1.00 max in EN 10088 (1.4404) | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S0.015 max in EN 1.4404 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 10 – 14 | 12 |
| Mokey addition for chloride pitting resistance | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 316L?
Pickle/passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for hygienic and semiconductor service; takes No.4 through mirror No.8 mechanical polish, bead blast and PVD coatings — not anodizable.
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 316L in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S31603
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4404X2CrNiMo17-12-2
- GB (China)
- 00Cr17Ni14Mo2022Cr17Ni12Mo200Cr17Ni12Mo2
- JIS
- SUS316L
How much does 316L cost?
316L is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), cheaper than about 58% 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.
316L — frequently asked
What is 316L used for?
316L is typically used for welded marine structures and hardware, pump and valve bodies for seawater, medical device enclosures and instruments, food and pharmaceutical process piping, heat exchanger plates and tube fittings and chemical storage tank fittings. In short: weldable marine grade.
What is the yield strength of 316L?
316L has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 316L easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, constant feed and surface speeds ~30 % below carbon steel; avoid dwelling to prevent a hardened skin.
Can 316L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Very good with GTAW/GMAW/laser/resistance using ER316L or 316LSi filler, argon backing and no preheat; low carbon means no post-weld anneal is needed, keep interpass temperature low to limit distortion and sigma phase.
What surface finishes work on 316L?
Pickle/passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for hygienic and semiconductor service; takes No.4 through mirror No.8 mechanical polish, bead blast and PVD coatings — not anodizable.
Can 316L be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and bending thanks to a high n-value, but expect ~2× the press force of mild steel, high springback and heavy work hardening — plan intermediate anneals for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316L?
316L is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 316L Solution Annealed and 316L-HIP?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, tube and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance, ductility and toughness. HIP: closes AM/PM porosity and fully recrystallises the structure: lowest strength but best ductility, toughness and fatigue consistency — used for pressure-containing and fatigue-critical AM parts. Yield strength is 290 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 260 MPa in HIP.
How much does 316L cost?
316L is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), cheaper than about 58% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 316L?
Yes — 316L is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — chromium-nickel stainless plate, sheet and strip — ASTM (2023)
- ASTM A276/A479 — stainless bars and shapes — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A666 — annealed and cold-worked austenitic stainless sheet, strip, plate and flat bar — ASTM (2015)
- EN 10088-2 / -3 (X2CrNiMo17-12-2, 1.4404) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 / GB/T 3280 (022Cr17Ni12Mo2) — SAC (2015)
- JIS G4304/G4305 (SUS316L) — JISC (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B / Vol.19 — Corrosion and Fatigue — ASM International (2005)
- Outokumpu Steel Grade 4404/316L datasheet & Corrosion Handbook — Outokumpu (2023)
- Sandvik/Alleima Sanicro & 316L tube data — Alleima (2023)
- EOS StainlessSteel 316L / Markforged 316L material datasheets — EOS GmbH; Markforged (2023)
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.