Stainless Steel 316

Stainless Steel 316 is a molybdenum-containing austenitic stainless steel offering better resistance to pitting and chloride corrosion than 304. It is particularly suitable for marine, chemical, and humid environments. Its good toughness, weldability, and temperature resistance make it a common choice for precision CNC components requiring enhanced corrosion resistance.

Appearance & Properties

Color: Silver-gray to bright silver

Density: Approx. 8.0 g/cm³

Tensile Strength: Approx. 515–620 MPa (annealed condition, depending on product form)

Corrosion Resistance: Excellent

Machinability: Moderate

Weldability: Excellent

Magnetism: Generally non-magnetic when annealed; slight magnetism may develop after cold working

Surface Finishes: Polishing, brushing, bead blasting, passivation, electropolishing, etc.

Typical Applications

Stainless Steel 316 is widely used in marine engineering, chemical equipment, food processing, medical devices, pharmaceutical equipment, and precision industrial systems.

Typical parts include valve bodies, pump components, flanges, pipe fittings, shafts, medical components, food-processing parts, marine hardware, and corrosion-resistant precision CNC components.

Advantages

• Excellent corrosion resistance

• Better resistance to chlorides and pitting than 304

• Good weldability and toughness

• Suitable for marine, chemical, and humid environments

• Good surface finishing capability

Limitations

• More difficult to machine than 303

• Prone to work hardening during machining

• Requires careful tool wear and heat management

• Generally more expensive than 304