Stainless Steel 316N
AISI/SAE 316N · UNS S31651 · EN 1.4406, X5CrNiMoN17-12-2 · JIS SUS316N
AISI 316N (S31651, 1.4406, X5CrNiMoN17-12-2, SUS316N) is a nitrogen-strengthened version of standard-carbon 316 austenitic stainless, using interstitial nitrogen to raise yield strength without giving up 316-level corrosion resistance.
Reference datasheet — 316N 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 ANN condition
316N tempers and conditions
316N is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. ANN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance and formability with nitrogen-boosted yield strength. | 310 | 620 | 50 | 165 HB | — |
1/16-Hard | Light cold work for a modest strength lift while keeping near-annealed ductility and bendability. | 380 | 680 | 42 | 195 HB | — |
1/8-Hard | Intermediate strip/sheet temper for lightly formed structural parts and clamps. | 420 | 720 | 35 | 220 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn round/hex bar for machined fasteners and shafts needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. | 520 | 760 | 25 | 230 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Common high-strength sheet/strip temper where forming is limited to gentle bends. | 570 | 900 | 15 | 25 HRC | — |
Half hard | High-strength strip for springs, straps and load-bearing flat parts; forming limited to large-radius bends. | 800 | 1,070 | 10 | 32 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum cold-worked strip strength for flat springs and shims with minimal forming. | 970 | 1,240 | 6 | 36 HRC | — |
Full hard | Maximum as-rolled strength strip; use flat or with very large bend radii only. | 1,030 | 1,320 | 5 | 40 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 316N is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HRAP | Hot Rolled, Annealed & Pickled | Surface finish |
What is 316N?
AISI 316N (S31651, 1.4406, X5CrNiMoN17-12-2, SUS316N) is a nitrogen-strengthened version of standard-carbon 316 austenitic stainless, using interstitial nitrogen to raise yield strength without giving up 316-level corrosion resistance. It suits structural marine components and pressure piping and is available annealed, cold drawn, HRAP and in 1/16 through full hard tempers. Annealed values are about 310 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation and 165 HB (85 HRB), with service to 800 °C and a corrosion score of 76. Formability (75) and weldability (78) are below 316L, which remains the better pick for heavily welded corrosive service. 316N has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). 316N has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 316N used for?
- structural marine components
- pressure piping
- process equipment requiring higher strength
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
316N properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316N-ANN; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316N has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
316N has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
316N is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 14.6 W/m·K (8.44 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316N conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), better than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316N takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
316N's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability very good (75/100).
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. 316N is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 316N
Is 316N easy to machine?
Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~35% of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316N be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316L or 316LMn filler, no preheat, interpass below ~150 °C; heavy sections benefit from post-weld solution anneal since the 0.08% C limit allows sensitisation.
Can 316N be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but needs roughly 20–30% more press force and larger bend radii than 316L because of the nitrogen strengthening; hot work 1150–1200 °C and always solution anneal + quench afterwards.
316N 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cstandard carbon (not L grade) | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| 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 |
| Nsolid-solution strengthener, defines the N grade | 0.1 – 0.16 | 0.13 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on 316N?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after fabrication; takes mirror (No.8) and brushed (No.4) finishes well — never anodise, and avoid carbon-steel contact tooling to prevent iron contamination.
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 316N in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S31651
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4406X5CrNiMoN17-12-2
- JIS
- SUS316N
How much does 316N cost?
316N 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.
316N — frequently asked
What is 316N used for?
316N is typically used for structural marine components, pressure piping and process equipment requiring higher strength. In short: higher-strength 316; nitrogen-strengthened austenitic; 316 corrosion at 310 MPa yield.
What is the yield strength of 316N?
316N has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 316N easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~35% of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316N be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316L or 316LMn filler, no preheat, interpass below ~150 °C; heavy sections benefit from post-weld solution anneal since the 0.08% C limit allows sensitisation.
What surface finishes work on 316N?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after fabrication; takes mirror (No.8) and brushed (No.4) finishes well — never anodise, and avoid carbon-steel contact tooling to prevent iron contamination.
Can 316N be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but needs roughly 20–30% more press force and larger bend radii than 316L because of the nitrogen strengthening; hot work 1150–1200 °C and always solution anneal + quench afterwards.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316N?
316N 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 316N-ANN and 316N-FH?
ANN is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance and formability with nitrogen-boosted yield strength. FH: maximum as-rolled strength strip; use flat or with very large bend radii only. Yield strength is 310 MPa in ANN versus 1,030 MPa in FH.
How much does 316N cost?
316N 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 (S31651) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM A276/A484 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- EN 10088-1/-2 (1.4406, X2CrNiMoN17-12-2 family) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G4304/G4305 (SUS316N) — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 24511 / GB/T 4237 — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials Properties — ASME (2023)
- Outokumpu Steel Grade datasheet 1.4406/316N — Outokumpu (2022)
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.