Stainless steel 316,316L,316H

316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. It has excellent forming and welding characteristics. It is readily brake or roll formed into a variety of parts for applications in the industrial, architectural, and transportation fields. 316 also has outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not required when welding thin sections.

316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively used in heavy gauge welded components (over about 6mm).
316H, with its higher carbon content has application at elevated temperatures, as does stabilised grade 316Ti.
The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.

Chemical Composition

Grade		C	Mn	Si	P	S	Cr	Mo	Ni	N
316	Min	-	-	-	0	-	16.0	2.00	10.0	-
	Max	0.08	2.0	0.75	0.045	0.03	18.0	3.00	14.0	0.10
316L	Min	-	-	-	-	-	16.0	2.00	10.0	-
	Max	0.03	2.0	0.75	0.045	0.03	18.0	3.00	14.0	0.10
316H	Min	0.04	0.04	0	-	-	16.0	2.00	10.0	-
	max	0.10	0.10	0.75	0.045	0.03	18.0	3.00	14.0	-

Mechanical Properties

Grade	Tensile Str (MPa) min	Yield Str 0.2% Proof (MPa) min	Elong (% in 50 mm) min	Hardness
				Rockwell B (HR B) max	Brinell (HB) max
316	515	205	40	95	217
316L	485	170	40	95	217
316H	515	205	40	95	217

Note: 316H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM no. 7 or coarser.

Physical Properties

Grade	Density(kg/m3)	Elastic Modulus (GPa)	Mean Co-eff of Thermal Expansion (µm/m/°C)			Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K)		Specific Heat 0-100 °C (J/kg.K)	Elec Resistivity (nΩ.m)
			0-100 °C	0-315 °C	0-538 °C	At 100 °C	At 500 °C
316/L/H	8000	193	15.9	16.2	17.5	16.3	21.5	500	740

Grade Specification Comparison

Grade	UNS No	Old British		Euronorm		Swedish SS	Japanese JIS
		BS	En	No	Name
316	S31600	316S31	58H, 58J	1.4401	X5CrNiMo17-12-2	2347	SUS 316
316L	S31603	316S11	-	1.4404	X2CrNiMo17-12-2	2348	SUS 316L
316H	S31609	316S51	-	-	-	-	-

Note: These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparison of functionally similar materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalents. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications must be consulted.

Possible Alternative Grades

Grade	Why it might be chosen instead of 316?
316Ti	Better resistance to temperatures of around 600-900 °C is needed.
316N	Higher strength than standard 316.
317L	Higher resistance to chlorides than 316L, but with similar resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
904L	Much higher resistance to chlorides at elevated temperatures, with good formability
2205	Much higher resistance to chlorides at elevated temperatures, and higher strength than 316