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Alloy Technical Data Sheet
Types 316 & 316L Stainless Steel
Chromium-Nickel-Molybdenum Austenitic Stainless · UNS S31600 · S31603
Molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless with better resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, chlorides and sulfuric acid than the 18-8 grades.
General Properties
Types 316 and 316L are molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steels that resist general corrosion and pitting/crevice corrosion better than the conventional chromium-nickel grades such as Type 304. They also offer higher creep, stress-to-rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperature, along with the excellent fabricability and formability typical of austenitic stainless.
Chemical Composition
| Element | 316 | 316L |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.08 | 0.030 |
| Manganese | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Silicon | 0.75 | 0.75 |
| Chromium | 16.00–18.00 | 16.00–18.00 |
| Nickel | 10.00–14.00 | 10.00–14.00 |
| Molybdenum | 2.00–3.00 | 2.00–3.00 |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| Sulfur | 0.030 | 0.030 |
| Nitrogen | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Iron | Balance | Balance |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | 316 | 316L |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2% Yield, psi (MPa) | 30,000 (205) | 25,000 (170) |
| Tensile, psi (MPa) | 75,000 (515) | 70,000 (485) |
| Elongation in 2″ (51 mm), % | 40 | 40 |
| Hardness, max. Brinell (Rockwell B) | 217 (95) | 217 (95) |
Physical Properties
| Melting range | 2540–2630 °F (1390–1440 °C) |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.29 lb/in³ (8.03 g/cm³) |
| Specific gravity | 8.03 |
| Modulus of elasticity (tension) | 29 × 10⁶ psi (200 GPa)* |
| Specific heat, 68 °F | 0.108 Btu/lb·°F (450 J/kg·K) |
| Specific heat, 200 °F | 0.116 Btu/lb·°F (485 J/kg·K) |
| Electrical resistivity, 68 °F | 29.1 microhm-in (74.0 microhm-cm) |
*The modulus is lowered in the cold-worked condition.
Thermal Expansion
| °F | °C | in/in/°F | cm/cm/°C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68–212 | 20–100 | 9.2 × 10⁻⁶ | 16.5 × 10⁻⁶ |
| 68–932 | 20–500 | 10.1 × 10⁻⁶ | 18.2 × 10⁻⁶ |
| 68–1832 | 20–1000 | 10.8 × 10⁻⁶ | 19.5 × 10⁻⁶ |
Thermal Conductivity
| °F | °C | Btu/hr·ft·°F | W/m·K |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68–212 | 20–100 | 8.4 | 14.6 |
Overall heat transfer depends on more than the conductivity of the metal. Because the austenitic stainless grades keep their surfaces clean, they often transfer heat better in service than metals with higher thermal conductivity.
Magnetic Permeability
Non-magnetic in the annealed, fully austenitic condition — magnetic permeability is generally less than 1.02 at 200 H.
Corrosion Resistance
Types 316 and 316L resist atmospheric and other mild corrosion better than the 18-8 grades; in general, media that do not corrode 18-8 stainless will not attack them. A known exception is highly oxidizing acids such as nitric acid, to which the molybdenum grades are less resistant.
They are considerably more resistant than other chromium-nickel types to sulfuric acid solutions and to condensing sulfur-bearing gases, although acid concentration strongly affects attack rates and service testing is recommended. They also resist hot phosphoric, organic and fatty acids, making them common in food and pharmaceutical processing where metallic contamination must be minimized.
The two grades generally perform equally well. Where corrosion is severe enough to attack welds and heat-affected zones, 316L is preferred for welded parts because its low carbon improves resistance to intergranular corrosion.
Values are typical or specification minimums as noted, provided for information only, and should not be used as design limits or as a guarantee of properties for any particular lot or application. Certified test reports are supplied with each order.Rev. 10/2026