Stainless Steel E316H
E316H is the higher-carbon variant of the 316-type austenitic stainless electrode family, supplied in AW-16, AW-15 and AW-17 coating classes and also listed in solution-annealed (SA) and stress-relieved (SR) conditions.
Reference datasheet — E316H 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.
E316H tempers and conditions
E316H is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution Annealed weld metal | Used when the whole weldment is solution annealed (e.g. clad/overlay components or repaired castings) to dissolve carbides, remove ferrite banding and restore maximum ductility and intergranular corrosion resistance. | 300 | 550 | 48 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Only where code or a dissimilar ferritic joint forces PWHT — strength rises slightly but carbide precipitation and sigma formation cut toughness and IGC resistance. | 440 | 600 | 30 | 200 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways E316H is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
AW-15 | E316H-15 As Welded | Surface finish |
AW-16Default | E316H-16 As Welded | Surface finish |
AW-17 | E316H-17 As Welded | Surface finish |
What is E316H?
E316H is the higher-carbon variant of the 316-type austenitic stainless electrode family, supplied in AW-16, AW-15 and AW-17 coating classes and also listed in solution-annealed (SA) and stress-relieved (SR) conditions. The raised carbon gives better elevated-temperature creep strength than standard E316, with deposits near 425 MPa yield, 590 MPa tensile, 38% elongation and 185 HB (90 HRB) rated to 800 °C. The trade-off is sensitization and sigma-phase risk on long hot exposure, so E316L or E316 should be used for ambient corrosive service where creep strength is not required. E316H has a density of 7.99 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). E316H has a yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 66% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is E316H used for?
- high-temperature piping
- power plant components
- elevated-temperature pressure vessels
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
E316H properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E316H has a density of 7.99 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical14
E316H has a yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 66% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
E316H is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 15.5 W/m·K (8.96 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E316H 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 E316H takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 62% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
E316H's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (55/100).
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. E316H is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E316H
Is E316H easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like Type 316 — sharp carbide tools, positive rake, heavy feed and flood coolant to beat work hardening; grind flush before NDT.
Can E316H be welded?
SMAW with DCEP (or AC for -16/-17); redry electrodes ~250–300 °C for 1 h, keep interpass below ~150 °C, use stringer beads and target 3–10 FN ferrite to avoid hot cracking while limiting sigma in service.
Can E316H be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — deposited metal is ductile (≈35–40 % elongation) and tolerates weldment straightening, but heavy cold work raises hardness quickly.
E316H 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Craised C is what distinguishes E316H from E316/E316L | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Cr | 17 – 20 | 18.5 |
| Ni | 11 – 14 | 12 |
| Mo | 2 – 3 | 2.4 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Si-17 coatings run toward the upper limit | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E316H?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A380/A967) or blast-and-brush after welding to remove heat tint; do not anodise, and use stainless-only wire brushes to avoid 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 E316H in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- AWS A5.4 E316H
How much does E316H cost?
E316H is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E316H — frequently asked
What is E316H used for?
E316H is typically used for high-temperature piping, power plant components and elevated-temperature pressure vessels. In short: creep-rated 316 electrode; service to 800 °C; highest-carbon 316 filler.
What is the yield strength of E316H?
E316H has a typical yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 66% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is E316H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like Type 316 — sharp carbide tools, positive rake, heavy feed and flood coolant to beat work hardening; grind flush before NDT.
Can E316H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). SMAW with DCEP (or AC for -16/-17); redry electrodes ~250–300 °C for 1 h, keep interpass below ~150 °C, use stringer beads and target 3–10 FN ferrite to avoid hot cracking while limiting sigma in service.
What surface finishes work on E316H?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A380/A967) or blast-and-brush after welding to remove heat tint; do not anodise, and use stainless-only wire brushes to avoid iron contamination.
Can E316H be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — deposited metal is ductile (≈35–40 % elongation) and tolerates weldment straightening, but heavy cold work raises hardness quickly.
What is the maximum service temperature of E316H?
E316H is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does E316H cost?
E316H is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2012)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C (SFA-5.4) and Part D (Type 316H properties) — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (austenitic stainless weld metal) — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Stainless SMAW electrode datasheets (E316H-15/-16/-17 all-weld-metal typicals) — Lincoln Electric / ESAB / Böhler Welding (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.