Steel 2316 Nitrided
Finish state
AISI/SAE 2316 · EN 1.2316, X36CrMo17 · also S136, Uddeholm 2316
Use where sliding wear or abrasive filler wear dominates; note nitriding lowers the stainless surface's corrosion resistance.
Values for the Nitrided 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 | — |
NitridedThis page 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 |
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 Nitrided?
2316 Nitrided is 2316 supplied in the Nitrided condition — use where sliding wear or abrasive filler wear dominates; note nitriding lowers the stainless surface's corrosion resistance. 2316 Nitrided has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 2316 Nitrided 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; Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 40/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- High strength — 850 MPa (123 ksi), better than 88% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 3/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- 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
2316 Nitrided properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2316 Nitrided; 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 Nitrided 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 Nitrided has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2316 Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °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 Nitrided conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), better than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2316 Nitrided 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 Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (3/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2316 Nitrided
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 Nitrided — frequently asked
What is 2316 Nitrided used for?
2316 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
2316 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2316 Nitrided easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 99% 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 Nitrided be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). 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 Nitrided?
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 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
2316 Nitrided is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °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 Nitrided?
Yes — 2316 Nitrided 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.