North American Stainless

Flat Product Stainless Steel Grade Sheet

316 (S31600)/EN 1.4401
316L (S31603)/ EN 1.4404
INTRODUCTION
NAS provides 316 and 316L SS, which are molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless
steels. These steels contain a higher percentage of nickel than 304SS. The resultant
composition gives these steels much improved corrosion resistance in many aggressive
environments. The molybdenum addition ensures more resistance to pitting and crevice
corrosion in chloride-containing media, sea water and chemical environments such as
sulfuric acid compounds, phosphoric and acetic acids. The lower rate of general corrosion
in mildly corrosive environments gives the steel good atmospheric corrosion resistance in
polluted marine atmospheres.

316 SS offers good strength and creep resistance and also possesses excellent mechanical
and corrosion-resistant properties at sub-zero temperatures. 316L is a low- carbon
modification of 316. The control of the carbon to a maximum of 0.03% minimizes the
problem of carbide precipitation during welding and permits the use of the steel in the as-
welded condition in a wide variety of corrosive applications.

Additionally, 316/316L is available in pipe and tube chemistry specification.

Product Range:
Product is available in Cold Rolled, Continuous Mill Plate and Plate Mill Plate form up to
60" wide in various thicknesses.
For inquiry about minimum quantity, specific thickness and tolerances, contact inside
sales at NAS.

Certification:
ASTM A240, A480/09, A666, ASME SA240, SA480, SA666, ASTM A262, EN 10088-
2, EN 10028-7.

Chemical Composition :

UNS/Euro ASTM/Euro Carbon Manganese Phosphorous Sulfur Silicon Chromium Nickel Nitrogen Mol ybdenum
S31600 316 0.08 max 2 max 0.045 max 0.03 max 0.75 max 16-18 10-14 0.1 max 2-3
S31603 316L 0.03 max 2 max 0.045 max 0.03 max 0.75 max 16-18 10-14 0.1 max 2-3
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 1.4404 0.03 max 2 max 0.045 max 0.015 max 0.75 max 16.5-18.5 10-13 0.1 max 2-2.5
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 1.4401 0.07 max 2 max 0.045 max 0.015 max 0.75 max 16.5-18.5 10-13 0.1 max 2-2.5


Mechanical Properties :

Tensile Strength min Yield Strength min Elongation min Hardness max
316 75 ksi 30 ksi 40% 95 HRB
316L 70ksi 25 ksi 40% 95 HRB
1.4404 75ksi 34.81 40%
1.4401 75ksi 34.81 40%
Note: Enhanced properties available upon request.

PROPERTIES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES
The properties quoted below are typical of annealed 316 only, as strength values for 316L
fall rapidly at temperatures above 800F. These values are given as a guideline only, and
should not be used for design purposes.
















FATIGUE CONSIDERATIONS
When looking into the fatigue of austenitic stainless steels, it is important to note that
design and fabricationnot materialare the major contributors to fatigue failure.
Design codes (e.g., ASME) use data from low-cycle fatigue tests carried out on machined
specimens to produce conservative S-N curves used with stress concentration factors
(k1c) or fatigue strength reduction factors (kt). In essence, the fatigue strength of a
welded joint should be used for design purposes, as the inevitable flaws (even only those
of cross-sectional change) within a weld will control the overall fatigue performance of
the structure.

ANNEALING
Annealing of types 316 and 316L is achieved by heating to above 1900F and for 60
minutes per inch thickness followed by water or air quenching. The best corrosion
resistance is achieved when the final annealing temperature is 1950F. Controlled
atmospheres are recommended in order to avoid excessive oxidation of the surface.
Temperatures above 1975F are not recommended, except when wire is strand annealed
in controlled atmosphere.

STRESS RELIEVING
The lower-carbon-grade 316L can be stress relieved at 850F to1100F for 60 minutes
with little danger of sensitization. A prolonged heat treatment at these temperatures also
results in sigma phase formation and change in the ductility of the material.

HOT WORKING
316 can be readily forged, upset and hot headed. Uniform heating of the steel in the range
of 2100F to 2300F is required. The finishing temperature should not be below 1650F.
Upsetting operations and forgings require a finishing temperature between 1700F and
1800F. Forgings should be air cooled. All hot-working operations should be followed by
annealing, pickling and passivation to restore the mechanical properties and corrosion
resistance.

COLD WORKING
316/316L types, being extremely tough and ductile, can be readily cold worked such as
wire drawing, swaging and cold heading etc. without difficulty. Severe cold forming may
require intermediate annealing.

MACHINING
Like all the austenitic steels, this alloy group machines with a rough and stringy swarf.
Rigidly supported tools with as heavy a cut as possible should be used to prevent glazing.
NAS provides 316L grade bars suitable for machining. Contact NAS for details.

WELDING
316/316L types have good welding characteristics and are suited to all standard welding
methods. Either matching or slightly over-alloyed filler wires (e.g. ERW 309Mo) should
be used. For maximum corrosion resistance, regular 316 should be annealed after welding
to dissolve any chromium carbides which may have precipitated. The weld discoloration
should be removed by pickling and passivation to restore maximum corrosion resistance.

STRESS CORROSION CRACKING
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) can occur in austenitic stainless steels when they are
stressed in tension in chloride environments at temperatures in excess of about 140F.
The stress may be applied, as in a pressure system, or it may be residual arising from
cold-working operations or welding. Additionally, the chloride ion concentration need
not be very high initially, if locations exist in which concentrations of salt can
accumulate. Assessment of these parameters and accurate prediction of the probability of
SCC occurring in service is therefore difficult.
Where there is a likelihood of SCC occurring, a beneficial increase in life can be easily
obtained by a reduction in operating stress and temperature. Alternatively, specially
designed duplex grade 2205 should be used.





ATMOSPHERIC CORROSION
The atmospheric corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel is unequalled by
virtually all other uncoated engineering materials. Stainless steel develops maximum
resistance to staining and pitting with the addition of molybdenum. For this reason, it is
common practice to use these grades in areas where the atmosphere is highly polluted
with chlorides, sulfur compounds and solids, either singly or in combination.

INTERGRANULAR CORROSION
Sensitization may occur when the heat-affected zones of welds in some austenitic
stainless steels are cooled through the sensitizing temperature range of between 850 and
1550F. At these temperatures, a compositional change may occur at the grain
boundaries. If a sensitized material is then subjected to a corrosive environment,
intergranular attack may be experienced. This corrosion takes place preferentially in the
heat-affected zone away from and parallel to the weld. This form of attack is often termed
weld decay.

316 SS has reasonable resistance to carbide precipitation. However, 316L grade should
be specified for welded structures unless the higher-carbon types are required for their
increased strength.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
SS316 types have superior corrosion resistance to SS304 types. SS316 has good
resistance to most complex sulfur compounds such as those found in the pulp and paper
industry. CS316 also has good resistance to pitting in phosphoric and acetic acids. SS316
has excellent resistance to corrosion in marine environments under atmospheric
conditions.







PITTING CORROSION
Pitting resistance is important, mainly in applications involving contact with chloride
solutions, particularly in the presence of oxidizing media. These conditions may be
conducive to localized penetration of the passive surface film on the steel, and a single
deep pit may well be more damaging than a much greater number of relatively shallow
pits. The addition of molybdenum to the steel ensures that 316 has good resistance to
localized corrosion such as pitting and crevice corrosion. The diagram below shows the
critical temperature for initiation of pitting (CPT) at different chloride contents for 304,
316 and 2205 types.


Critical pitting temperatures (CPT) for 304, 316 and 2205 at varying concentrations of
sodium chloride (potentio-static determination at +300 mV SCE). pH=6.0.
Pitting- resistance equivalent numbers (PREN) are a theoretical way of comparing the
pitting corrosion resistance of various types of stainless steels, based on their chemical
compositions. The PREN (or PRE) numbers are useful for ranking and comparing the
different grades, but cannot be used to predict whether a particular grade will be suitable
for a given application, where pitting corrosion may be a hazard.

Typical PREN on NAS grades and comparison are shown below.

PREN Austenitic/ Duplex Stainless at NAS
17.50
20.50
23.50
26.50
316L 304 301 201LN 201
P
R
E
N



OXIDATION
316/316L has good oxidation resistance in intermittent service up to 1600F and in
continuous service to 1700F. Continuous use of type 316 in the 850 F to 1550F
temperature range is not recommended due to possibility of carbide precipitation but
performs well in temperatures fluctuating above and below this range. One should use the
316L in these applications.

Technical Service: For further information, email
[email protected]
For new product development requirements, contact [email protected].


DISCLAIMER
The material contained in this Web Page/Sheet has been designed as a guide for
customers of North American Stainless. However, the material contained herein is not
intended as a substitute for any persons procedures and should not be used or relied upon
for any specific or general application without first obtaining competent advice.
Furthermore, North American Stainless disclaims any responsibility for the suitability of
the steel in question for any particular purpose or for the performance or selection of the
steel, unless North American Stainless specifically authorizes the purpose or selection.
The material contained in this Web Page/Sheet does not purport to be a comprehensive or
exhaustive statement of all relevant material applicable to special and general steel
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the event of a breakdown, malfunction or failure occurring due to faulty design, material
or workmanship of the steel, whether based on the information contained herein or not,
and shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for any damages, either direct or
indirect, particularly consequential damages, including but not limited to damages for
loss of profits.