Stainless Steel E316H-SR (Stress relieved)
Heat-treated state
Only where code or a dissimilar ferritic joint forces PWHT — strength rises slightly but carbide precipitation and sigma formation cut toughness and IGC resistance.
Values for the SR condition
Other E316H tempers and conditions
E316H is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at E316H.
- SA
- SR
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 |
SRThis page 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 |
What is E316H-SR?
E316H-SR is E316H heat treated to SR — only where code or a dissimilar ferritic joint forces PWHT — strength rises slightly but carbide precipitation and sigma formation cut toughness and IGC resistance. E316H-SR has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). E316H-SR 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).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
E316H-SR properties
Typical room-temperature values for E316H-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E316H reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E316H-SR 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-SR has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
E316H-SR 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-SR conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E316H-SR 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-SR's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E316H-SR
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.
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.
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 | — |
E316H-SR — frequently asked
What is E316H-SR used for?
E316H-SR 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-SR?
E316H-SR has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 68% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is E316H-SR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% 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-SR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). 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-SR?
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-SR 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-SR?
E316H-SR 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.