Stainless Steel 316LVM-1/2 Hard
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 316LVM · UNS S31673 · ASTM F138
1/2 Hard = half hard
Common wire temper for guidewire cores, mandrels and orthodontic components.
Values for the 1/2 Hard condition
Other 316LVM tempers and conditions
316LVM is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 316LVM.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1010–1120 °C, rapid quench) | Standard stock condition: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for machining, forming, forging or subsequent cold drawing. | 290 | 590 | 55 | 150 HB | — |
Solution annealed then electropolished/passivated surface | Specified for implants and fluid-contact parts where a smooth, chromium-enriched passive surface maximises pitting resistance and biocompatibility. | 290 | 590 | 55 | 148 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Intermediate temper for parts needing extra stiffness but still requiring bending or coiling. | 520 | 760 | 28 | 24 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
cold drawn/rolled to ASTM F138 cold-worked strength level | Choose when higher strength is needed for bone screws, plates, pins and cannulae; ductility and magnetic neutrality are reduced. | 760 | 930 | 18 | 30 HRC | — |
1/2 HardThis page Half hard | Common wire temper for guidewire cores, mandrels and orthodontic components. | 830 | 1,000 | 14 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
heavily cold drawn wire/strip | For springs, needle tubing and stiff wire where high strength outranks ductility. | 1,100 | 1,250 | 6 | 40 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 316LVM-1/2 Hard?
316LVM-1/2 Hard is 316LVM supplied in the 1/2 Hard condition — common wire temper for guidewire cores, mandrels and orthodontic components. 316LVM-1/2 Hard has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 316LVM-1/2 Hard 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 830 MPa (120 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
316LVM-1/2 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316LVM-1/2 Hard; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 316LVM reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316LVM-1/2 Hard 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
316LVM-1/2 Hard has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
316LVM-1/2 Hard is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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
316LVM-1/2 Hard 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 316LVM-1/2 Hard takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 5.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
316LVM-1/2 Hard's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 316LVM-1/2 Hard
Is 316LVM easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316LVM be welded?
Readily GTAW/laser/resistance welded without pre- or post-heat; use 316L/ER316LSi filler or autogenous laser welds, keep heat input low and back-purge with argon.
Can 316LVM be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability and deep-drawability but high work-hardening rate; interstage solution anneal at 1050 °C with rapid quench for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 316LVM?
Cannot be anodised; specify passivation (ASTM A967) or electropolishing for implant-grade surfaces, and mechanical/mirror polishing benefits from the inclusion-free vacuum melt.
316LVM 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cultra-low carbon | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Svery low S from vacuum melting | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 17.8 |
| Ni | 13 – 15 | 14 |
| Mo | 2.25 – 3 | 2.7 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
316LVM-1/2 Hard — frequently asked
What is 316LVM-1/2 Hard used for?
316LVM-1/2 Hard is typically used for hip implants, surgical pins, bone screws and plates, hypodermic needle and cannula tubing, guidewires and springs and electrode and suture wire. In short: vacuum-melted medical 316.
What is the yield strength of 316LVM-1/2 Hard?
316LVM-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 316LVM-1/2 Hard easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316LVM-1/2 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily GTAW/laser/resistance welded without pre- or post-heat; use 316L/ER316LSi filler or autogenous laser welds, keep heat input low and back-purge with argon.
What surface finishes work on 316LVM-1/2 Hard?
Cannot be anodised; specify passivation (ASTM A967) or electropolishing for implant-grade surfaces, and mechanical/mirror polishing benefits from the inclusion-free vacuum melt.
Can 316LVM-1/2 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability and deep-drawability but high work-hardening rate; interstage solution anneal at 1050 °C with rapid quench for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316LVM-1/2 Hard?
316LVM-1/2 Hard is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 316LVM-1/2 Hard?
Yes — 316LVM-1/2 Hard is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM F138 — Wrought 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo Stainless Steel Bar and Wire for Surgical Implants (UNS S31673) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM F139 — Wrought 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip for Surgical Implants — ASTM International (2019)
- ISO 5832-1 — Implants for surgery, metallic materials, Part 1: Wrought stainless steel — ISO (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Medical-grade 316LVM bar and wire datasheets (Sandvik / Carpenter / Fort Wayne Metals) — various producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.