Steel 2316-ESR
Grade
AISI/SAE 2316 · EN 1.2316, X36CrMo17 · also S136, Uddeholm 2316
ESR = electroslag-remelted, pre-hardened mirror-polish quality
Specify for optical/mirror cavities and large plates where cleanliness, homogeneity and pinhole-free polishing are critical.
Values for the ESR condition
Other 2316 tempers and conditions
2316 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 2316.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (~230–250 HB) | Choose for blocks that will be rough-machined, deep-cavity cut or EDM'd and then hardened by the toolmaker. | 520 | 780 | 18 | 21 HRC | — |
Pre-hardened | Standard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds. | 850 | 1,020 | 12 | 31 HRC | — |
pre-hardened core with plasma/gas nitrided case | Use where sliding wear or abrasive filler wear dominates; note nitriding lowers the stainless surface's corrosion resistance. | 850 | 1,020 | 10 | 31 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
ESRThis page Electroslag-remelted, pre-hardened mirror-polish quality | Specify for optical/mirror cavities and large plates where cleanliness, homogeneity and pinhole-free polishing are critical. | 870 | 1,030 | 14 | 31 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Pick when higher wear resistance and maximum corrosion resistance are needed (glass-filled or highly abrasive corrosive plastics); accept distortion and lower toughness. | 1,350 | 1,600 | 5 | 48 HRC | — |
What is 2316-ESR?
2316-ESR is 2316 in the ESR grade — specify for optical/mirror cavities and large plates where cleanliness, homogeneity and pinhole-free polishing are critical. 2316-ESR has a yield strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 2316-ESR has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ESR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 60/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 870 MPa (126 ksi), better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 62 MPa·√m (56.4 ksi·√in), worse than 76% of steel grades
2316-ESR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2316-ESR; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2316 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
2316-ESR has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
2316-ESR has a yield strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2316-ESR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2316-ESR conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2316-ESR takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
2316-ESR's machinability is fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades); weldability poor (32/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2316-ESR
Is 2316 easy to machine?
Machine like a martensitic stainless: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, high feed/low speed and generous coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge; EDM and then stone/polish the recast layer away.
Can 2316 be welded?
TIG/laser repair with matching 1.2316 filler at 250–350 °C preheat, low heat input, slow cool and a stress-relief/temper at ~30 °C below the last temper to avoid cracking and soft zones.
Can 2316 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; hot work 1050–850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, then soft anneal ~750–800 °C before machining.
What surface finishes work on 2316?
Excellent diamond-paste polish and photo-etch response (best in ESR quality); nitriding, PVD or hard chrome are optional wear layers but nitriding reduces the stainless surface corrosion resistance.
2316 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CX38CrMo16 per DIN/EN tool steel practice | 0.33 – 0.45 | 0.38 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; low-S for polishing grades | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 15 – 17 | 16 |
| Mo | 1 – 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Nisome producers add ~0.4–0.9 Ni for hardenability | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Voptional, producer dependent | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
2316-ESR — frequently asked
What is 2316-ESR used for?
2316-ESR is typically used for medical device mould cavities, optical mould plates, cavity and core plates for corrosive resins, mould bases in humid production environments, food-contact and packaging mould inserts and photo-etched cosmetic housing cavities. In short: workhorse mold-cavity plate.
What is the yield strength of 2316-ESR?
2316-ESR has a typical yield strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 89% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2316-ESR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades). Machine like a martensitic stainless: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, high feed/low speed and generous coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge; EDM and then stone/polish the recast layer away.
Can 2316-ESR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (32/100). TIG/laser repair with matching 1.2316 filler at 250–350 °C preheat, low heat input, slow cool and a stress-relief/temper at ~30 °C below the last temper to avoid cracking and soft zones.
What surface finishes work on 2316-ESR?
Excellent diamond-paste polish and photo-etch response (best in ESR quality); nitriding, PVD or hard chrome are optional wear layers but nitriding reduces the stainless surface corrosion resistance.
Can 2316-ESR be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; hot work 1050–850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, then soft anneal ~750–800 °C before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2316-ESR?
2316-ESR is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2316 Annealed and 2316-ESR?
Annealed is the default condition — choose for blocks that will be rough-machined, deep-cavity cut or EDM'd and then hardened by the toolmaker. ESR: specify for optical/mirror cavities and large plates where cleanliness, homogeneity and pinhole-free polishing are critical. Yield strength is 520 MPa in Annealed versus 870 MPa in ESR.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2316-ESR?
Yes — 2316-ESR is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- DIN EN ISO 4957 / Werkstoffnummer 1.2316 (X38CrMo16) — DIN/ISO (2018)
- Corrosion-resistant plastic mould steel 1.2316 / M310 datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- Mould steel 2316 / 420 modified data sheet — Buderus Edelstahl / Schmolz+Bickenbach (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
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.