Stainless Steel
1.4404 (316L) Bar and Section
SPECIFICATIONS                                                  CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Commercial       316L                                           EN 10088-3:2005
                                                                1.4404 Steel
                                                                            Element                   % Present
Stainless steel types 1.4401 and 1.4404 are also
                                                                         Chromium (Cr)              16.50 - 18.50
known as grades 316 and 316L respectively. Grade
316 is an austenitic grade second only to 304 in                           Nickel (Ni)              10.00 - 13.00
commercial importance.
                                                                     Molybdenum (Mo)                  2.00 - 2.50
316 stainless steel contains an addition of molybdenum
that gives it improved corrosion resistance. This is                    Manganese (Mn)                0.0 - 2.00
particularly apparent for pitting and crevice corrosion                    Silicon (Si)               0.0 - 1.00
in chloride environments.
316L, the low carbon version of 316 stainless steel, is                   Nitrogen (N)                0.0 - 0.11
immune to grain boundary carbide precipitation                          Phosphorous (P)               0.0 - 0.05
(sensitisation). This makes it suited to use in heavy
gauge (over about 6mm) welded components.                                 Carbon (C)                  0.0 - 0.03
For elevated temperature applications the high carbon                     Sulphur (S)                 0.0 - 0.03
variant, 316H stainless steel and the stabilised grade
                                                                            Iron (Fe)                   Balance
316Ti stainless steel should be employed.
The austenitic structure of 316 stainless steel gives
excellent toughness, even at cryogenic temperatures.
Property data given in this document is typical for bar         ALLOY DESIGNATIONS
and section products covered by EN 10088-3:2005.
                                                                Stainless Steel Grade 1.4404/316L also corresponds to
ASTM, EN or other standards may cover all products
                                                                the following designations but may not be a direct
sold. It is reasonable to expect specifications in these
                                                                equivalent:
standards to be similar but not necessarily identical to
                                                                UNS S31603
those given in this datasheet.
                                                                316S11
Stainless steel grade 316Ti contains a small amount of
titanium. Titanium content is typically only around             SUPPLIED FORMS
0.5%. The titanium atoms stabilise the structure of the
316 at temperatures over 800°C. This prevents carbide           • Sheet
precipitation at the grain boundaries and protects the          • Strip
metal from corrosion. The main advantage of 316Ti is
that it can be held at higher temperatures for a longer         • Tube
period without sensitisation (precipitation) occurring.         • Bar
316Ti retains physical and mechanical properties
                                                                • Pipe
similar to standard grades of 316.
                                                                • Plate
                                                                • Fittings & Flanges
                                                                • Angle
                                                                GENERIC PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
                                                                            Property                     Value
                                                                            Density                   8.0 g/cm³
                                                                          Melting Point                1400 °C
                                                                    Thermal Expansion                15.9 x10-6 /K
                                                                    Modulus of Elasticity              193 GPa
                                                                   Thermal Conductivity              16.3 W/m.K
                                                                    Electrical Resistivity         0.74 x10-6 Ω .m
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Stainless Steel
1.4404 (316L) Bar and Section
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES                                            FABRICATION
                                                                 Fabrication of all stainless steels should be done only
EN 10088-3:2005
Bar & Section
                                                                 with tools dedicated to stainless steel materials.
Up to 160mm Dia / Thickness                                      Tooling and work surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned
                                                                 before use. These precautions are necessary to avoid
          Property                      Value
                                                                 cross contamination of stainless steel by easily
        Proof Stress                 200 Min MPa                 corroded metals that may discolour the surface of the
     Tensile Strength              500 to 700 MPa                fabricated product.
    Elongation A50 mm                 40 Min %
                                                                 COLD WORKING
      Hardness Brinell               215 Max HB
                                                                 Grade 316 is readily brake or roll formed into a variety
                                                                 of parts. It is also suited to stamping, heading and
                                                                 drawing but post work annealing is recommended to
APPLICATIONS                                                     relieve internal stresses.
Initially developed for use in paper mills 316 stainless         Cold working will increase both strength and hardness
steel is now typically used in:                                  of 316 stainless steel.
Food processing equipment
                                                                 HOT WORKING
Brewery equipment
Chemical and petrochemical equipment                             All common hot working processes can be performed
Laboratory benches & equipment                                   on 316 stainless steel. Hot working should be avoided
Coastal architectural panelling                                  below 927°C. The ideal temperature range for hot
Coastal balustrading                                             working is 1149-1260°C. Post-work annealing is
Boat fittings                                                    recommended to ensure optimum corrosion resistance.
Chemical transportation containers
Heat exchangers
                                                                 MACHINABILITY
Mining screens
Nuts and bolts                                                   316 stainless steel has good machinability. Machining
Springs                                                          can be enhanced using the following rules:
Medical implants
                                                                 ~ Cutting edges must be kept sharp. Dull edges cause
                                                                 excess work hardening.
CORROSION RESISTANCE                                             ~ Cuts should be light but deep enough to prevent
Grade 316 has excellent corrosion resistance when                work hardening by riding on the surface of the
exposed to a range of corrosive environments and                 material.
media. It is usually regarded as “marine grade”                  ~ Chip breakers should be employed to assist in
stainless steel but is not resistant to warm sea water.          ensuring swarf remains clear of the work
Warm chloride environments can cause pitting and                 ~ Low thermal conductivity of austenitic alloys results
crevice corrosion. Grade 316 is also subject to stress           in heat concentrating at the cutting edges. This means
corrosion cracking above around 60°C.                            coolants and lubricants are necessary and must be
                                                                 used in large quantities.
HEAT RESISTANCE
                                                                 HEAT TREATMENT
316 has good resistance to oxidation in intermittent
service to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C.             316 stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat
However, continuous use at 425-860°C is not                      treatment.
recommended if corrosion resistance in water is                  Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid
required. In this instance 316L is recommended due to            cooling after heating to 1010-1120°C.
its resistance to carbide precipitation.
Where high strength is required at temperatures above
500°C, grade 316H is recommended.
                                                                                                     [2 OF 3] CONTINUED
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            © Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, Parkway House, Unit 6 Parkway Industrial Estate, Wednesbury WS10 7WP
Stainless Steel
1.4404 (316L) Bar and Section
WELDABILITY
Fusion welding performance for 316 stainless steel is
excellent both with and without fillers. Recommended
filler rods and electrodes for 316 and 316L are the
same as the base metal, 316 and 316L respectively.
Heavy welded sections may require post-weld
annealing. Grade 316Ti may be used as an alternative
to 316 in heavy section welds.
Oxyacetylene welding has not been found to be
successful for joining of 316 stainless steel.
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                                                                                      service centre, which can be found via the
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                                                                REVISION HISTORY
                                                                    Datasheet Updated           13 March 2020
                                                                DISCLAIMER
                                                                This Data is indicative only and as such is not to be relied upon in place of
                                                                the full specification. In particular, mechanical property requirements vary
                                                                widely with temper, product and product dimensions. All information is
                                                                based on our present knowledge and is given in good faith. No liability will
                                                                be accepted by the Company in respect of any action taken by any third
                                                                party in reliance thereon.
                                                                Please note that the 'Datasheet Update' date shown above is no guarantee
                                                                of accuracy or whether the datasheet is up to date.
                                                                The information provided in this datasheet has been drawn from various
                                                                recognised sources, including EN Standards, recognised industry references
                                                                (printed & online) and manufacturers’ data. No guarantee is given that the
                                                                information is from the latest issue of those sources or about the accuracy of
                                                                those sources.
                                                                Material supplied by the Company may vary significantly from this data, but
                                                                will conform to all relevant and applicable standards.
                                                                As the products detailed may be used for a wide variety of purposes and as
                                                                the Company has no control over their use; the Company specifically
                                                                excludes all conditions or warranties expressed or implied by statute or
                                                                otherwise as to dimensions, properties and/or fitness for any particular
                                                                purpose, whether expressed or implied.
                                                                Advice given by the Company to any third party is given for that party’s
                                                                assistance only and without liability on the part of the Company. All
                                                                transactions are subject to the Company’s current Conditions of Sale. The
                                                                extent of the Company’s liabilities to any customer is clearly set out in those
                                                                Conditions; a copy of which is available on request.
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                                      Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd
           © Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, Parkway House, Unit 6 Parkway Industrial Estate, Wednesbury WS10 7WP