316L Stainless Steel Pipes & Tubes

Type 316L is the low carbon version of 316 stainless. With the addition of molybdenum, the steel is popular for use in severe corrosion environments due to the materials immunity from boundary carbide precipitation (sensitisation). 

The material is widely used in heavy gauge welded components and weld annealing is only required where the material is for use in high stress environments. 316L has an extensive variety of uses especially in marine applications due to the materials high corrosion resistance. 
Benefits of using Type 316L Stainless Steel

316 & 316L steel plate and pipes have common properties and are often stocked with Dual Certification, where it is determined that both have properties and composition which comply with both steel types. 

Type 316H is excluded from this scenario by virtue of the fact that unlike 316 & 316L, 316H is engineered to work in elevated working temperatures. 

Product Range 

Specifications: ASTM A/ASME SA213/A249/A269/A312/A358 CL. I to V ASTM A789/A790
Sizes (Seamless): 1/2” NB - 24” NB
Sizes (ERW): 1/2” NB - 24” NB   
Sizes (EFW): 6” NB - 100” NB  

Wall Thickness available:
Schedule 5S - Schedule XXS (heavier on request)

Other Materials Testing:

 NACE MR0175, H2 SERVICE, OXYGEN SERVICE, CRYO SERVICE, etc.

Dimensions:

 All Pipes is manufactured and inspected/tested to the relevant standards including ASTM, ASME and API etc

Background :

Grade 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 Grade 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. Grade 316 also has outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not required when welding thin sections.
Grade 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). Grade 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.

Composition
Table 1. Composition ranges for 316 grade stainless steel

Mechanical Properties

Table 2. Mechanical properties of 316 grade stainless steel

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

Physical Properties
Table 3. Physical properties of 316 grade stainless steel in the annealed condition

Grade Specification Comparison
Table 4. Grade specifications for 316 grade stainless steel

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.

Excellent in a range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media - generally more resistant than 304. Subject to pitting and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, and to stress corrosion cracking above about 60°C. Considered resistant to potable water with up to about 1000mg/L chlorides at ambient temperatures, reducing to about 500mg/L at 60°C.

Heat Treatment

Solution Treatment (Annealing) - Heat to 1010-1120°C and cool rapidly. These grades cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.