• Excellent Corrosion Resistance
• Good Elevated Temperature Strength
• Good Pitting Resistance

316 Stainless Steel is widely used in applications requiring corrosion resistance superior to Type 304, or good elevated temperature strength. Type 316L immunity to carbide precipitation due to welding assures optimum corrosion resistance.
Type 316L is an extra-low carbon version of Type 316 that eliminates harmful carbide precipitation due to welding.

Typical Room Temperature Properties

Elevated Temperature Properties

Corrosion Resistance

Types 316 and 316L Stainless Steels exhibit better corrosion resistance than Type 304. They provide excellent resistance to pitting type corrosion such as encountered in a sea coast environment. They also provide good resistance to most chemicals involved in the paper, textile and photographic industries. They are particularly useful in one to five percent sulfuric acid solutions up to 150°F (66°C) as well as acetic, phosphoric, formic and tartaric acids, and in certain chloride, bromide and iodide solutions.

Oxidation Resistance

The maximum temperature to which Types 316 and 316L can be exposed continuously without appreciable scaling is about 1700°F (927°C). For intermittent exposure, the maximum exposure temperature is about 1600°F (871°C).

Heat Treatments
Types 316 and 316L are non-hardenable by heat treatment. 
Annealing: Heat to 1900 – 2100°F (1038 – 1149°C), then rapidly quench.