Steel E316L-16-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
Standard condition for essentially all 316/316L fabrication — no post-weld heat treatment, retains 4–10 FN ferrite for crack resistance.
Values for the AW condition
Other E316L-16 tempers and conditions
E316L-16 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at E316L-16.
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 |
AWDefaultThis page 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-AW?
E316L-16-AW is E316L-16 heat treated to AW — standard condition for essentially all 316/316L fabrication — no post-weld heat treatment, retains 4–10 FN ferrite for crack resistance. E316L-16-AW 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). E316L-16-AW 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).
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-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for E316L-16-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E316L-16 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E316L-16-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E316L-16-AW
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.
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.
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 | — |
E316L-16-AW — frequently asked
What is E316L-16-AW used for?
E316L-16-AW 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-AW?
E316L-16-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW?
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-AW 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-AW?
E316L-16-AW 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.