Steel E316L-16
E316L-16 is a low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless SMAW electrode with a rutile-type -16 coating, matching 316 and 316L base metals.
Reference datasheet — E316L-16 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 AW condition
E316L-16 tempers and conditions
E316L-16 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld solution annealed 1040–1100 °C, rapid cooled | Pick when the whole weldment is solution annealed (e.g. cast-weld repairs, urea/high-purity service) to dissolve ferrite and homogenise the deposit. | 320 | 540 | 48 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
As-welded then stress relieved 850–900 °C | Only for stress-corrosion-critical or dissimilar-joint assemblies where a code mandates PWHT; risks sigma phase and lowers toughness/corrosion resistance. | 380 | 560 | 34 | 185 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard condition for essentially all 316/316L fabrication — no post-weld heat treatment, retains 4–10 FN ferrite for crack resistance. | 420 | 570 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
What is E316L-16?
E316L-16 is a low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless SMAW electrode with a rutile-type -16 coating, matching 316 and 316L base metals. It is specified where chloride pitting resistance matters and all-position stick welding is the practical process, running on AC or DCEP; as-welded deposit values are 420 MPa yield, 570 MPa tensile, 40 % elongation and 180 HB (88 HRB). Service is limited to about 550 °C, the coating must be kept dry and redried before use, and slag removal plus passivation are needed to reach the rated corrosion resistance. For 304-only work, E308L-16 is the cheaper electrode. E316L-16 has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F). E316L-16 has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is E316L-16 used for?
- chemical processing equipment
- marine fabrication
- pharmaceutical/food vessels
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 99% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 95% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.3 % IACS, worse than 98% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
E316L-16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E316L-16-AW; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E316L-16 has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F).
Mechanical15
E316L-16 has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
E316L-16 is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E316L-16 conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, worse than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 100% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E316L-16 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
E316L-16's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (45/100).
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 steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. E316L-16 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E316L-16
Is E316L-16 easy to machine?
Deposit machines like 316L — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp carbide, positive rake, 60–90 m/min, heavy rigid setup and flood coolant, and grind off slag before cutting.
Can E316L-16 be welded?
AC or DCEP with short arc, stringer beads, interpass ≤150 °C and no preheat; redry electrodes 250–300 °C ×1 h, keep ferrite 4–10 FN and travel fast to avoid hot cracking and Mo segregation.
Can E316L-16 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product; deposited metal is ductile enough for weld-bend qualification but heavy cold working of the bead should be avoided.
E316L-16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon for intergranular corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 17 – 20 | 18.5 |
| Ni | 11 – 14 | 12.2 |
| Mopitting resistance | 2 – 3 | 2.4 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.4 |
| Si0.90 max for -16 rutile coating | ≤ 0.9 | 0.55 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E316L-16?
Remove all slag, then pickle (HNO₃/HF paste) and passivate per ASTM A380/A967; stainless-only abrasives to prevent iron contamination — no anodizing.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on 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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does E316L-16 cost?
E316L-16 is a premium-cost 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.
E316L-16 — frequently asked
What is E316L-16 used for?
E316L-16 is typically used for chemical processing equipment, marine fabrication and pharmaceutical/food vessels. In short: 316L matching stick electrode; highest corrosion score in this family; all-position, no preheat needed.
What is the yield strength of E316L-16?
E316L-16 has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E316L-16 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Deposit machines like 316L — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp carbide, positive rake, 60–90 m/min, heavy rigid setup and flood coolant, and grind off slag before cutting.
Can E316L-16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). AC or DCEP with short arc, stringer beads, interpass ≤150 °C and no preheat; redry electrodes 250–300 °C ×1 h, keep ferrite 4–10 FN and travel fast to avoid hot cracking and Mo segregation.
What surface finishes work on E316L-16?
Remove all slag, then pickle (HNO₃/HF paste) and passivate per ASTM A380/A967; stainless-only abrasives to prevent iron contamination — no anodizing.
Can E316L-16 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product; deposited metal is ductile enough for weld-bend qualification but heavy cold working of the bead should be avoided.
What is the maximum service temperature of E316L-16?
E316L-16 is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E316L-16-AW and E316L-16-SA?
AW is the default condition — standard condition for essentially all 316/316L fabrication — no post-weld heat treatment, retains 4–10 FN ferrite for crack resistance. SA: pick when the whole weldment is solution annealed (e.g. cast-weld repairs, urea/high-purity service) to dissolve ferrite and homogenise the deposit. Yield strength is 420 MPa in AW versus 320 MPa in SA.
How much does E316L-16 cost?
E316L-16 is a premium-cost 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
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — AWS (2012)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C, SFA-5.4 — ASME (2023)
- GB/T 983 (E316L-16 / A022) — SAC (2012)
- ISO 3581-A E 19 12 3 L R — ISO (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Stainless SMAW electrode all-weld-metal data (E316L-16 class) — Böhler Welding / ESAB / Lincoln Electric (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.