| Alloy
316/316L
Sandmeyer Steel Company stocks the largest single-site
stainless steel plate inventory in North America with
thicknesses from 3/16" through 6-1/2" in 1/8"
increments. Alloy 316/361L stainless steel plate is
also available as E-Z Drill for improved machinability.
316 合金( UNS S31600 ) 和316L ( UNS S31603
) 是以钼为基础的奥氏体不锈钢,
这个不锈钢与常规的铬-镍奥氏体如304 合金相比,具有更好的抗一般腐蚀及斑蚀、
裂隙腐蚀的能力。这些合金具有更高的延展性、抗应力腐蚀性能、耐压强度及耐
高温性能。除了出色的抗腐蚀能力及强度, 316 合金和316L
铜-镍-钼合金还具有
奥氏体不锈钢的典型特征即良好的装配性及成形性。
Specs:
316 (UNS S31600), 316L (S31603)
General Properties
Composition
Resistance to Corrosion
Oxidation Resistance
Physical Properties
Mechanical Properties
Heat Treatment
Fabrication
General Properties
Alloys 316 (UNS S31600), 316L (S31603), and 317L (S31703)
are molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steels which
are more resistant to general corrosion and pitting/crevice
corrosion than the conventional chromium-nickel austenitic
stainless steels such as Alloy 304. These alloys also
offer higher creep, stress-to-rupture, and tensile strength
at elevated temperature. Alloy 317L containing 3 to
4% molybdenum is preferred to Alloys 316 or 316L which
contain 2 to 3% molybdenum in applications requiring
enhanced pitting and general corrosion resistance.
In addition to excellent corrosion resistance
and strength properties, the Alloys 316, 316L, and 317L
Cr-Ni-Mo alloys also provide the excellent fabricability
and formability which are typical of the austenitic
stainless steels.
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Composition
Chemical composition as represented by ASTM A240 and
ASME SA-240 specifications are indicated in the table
below.
| |
Percentage
by Weight
(maximum unless range is specified) |
| Element |
Alloy 316 |
Alloy 316L |
Alloy 317L |
| Carbon |
0.08 |
0.030 |
0.030 |
| Manganese |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
| Silicon |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
| Chromium |
16.00
18.00 |
16.00
18.00 |
18.00
20.00 |
| Nickel |
10.00
14.00 |
10.00
14.00 |
11.00
15.00 |
| Molybdenum |
2.00
3.00 |
2.00
3.00 |
3.00
4.00 |
| Phosphorus |
0.045 |
0.045 |
0.045 |
| Sulfur |
0.030 |
0.030 |
0.030 |
| Nitrogen |
0.10 |
0.10 |
0.10 |
| Iron |
Balance |
Balance |
Balance |
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Resistance
to Corrosion
General Corrosion
Alloys 316, 316L, and 317L are more resistant to atmospheric
and other mild types of corrosion than the 18-8 stainless
steels. In general, media that do not corrode 18-8 stainless
steels will not attack these molybdenum-containing grades.
One known exception is highly oxidizing acids such as
nitric acid to which the molybdenum-bearing stainless
steels are less resistant
Alloys 316 and 317L are considerably more
resistant than any of the other chromium-nickel types
to solutions of sulfuric acid. At temperatures as high
as 120°F (38°C), both types have excellent resistance
to higher concentrations. Service tests are usually
desirable as operating conditions and acid contaminants
may significantly affect corrosion rate. Where condensation
of sulfur-bearing gases occurs, these alloys are much
more resistant than other types of stainless steels.
In such applications, however, the acid concentration
has a marked influence on the rate of attack and should
be carefully determined.
The molybdenum-bearing Alloys 316 and
317L stainless steels also provide resistance to a wide
variety of other environments. As shown by the laboratory
corrosion data below, these alloys offer excellent resistance
to boiling 20% phosphoric acid. They are also widely
used in handling hot organic and fatty acids. This is
a factor in the manufacture and handling of certain
food and pharmaceutical products where the molybdenum-containing
stainless steels are often required in order to minimize
metallic contamination.
Generally, the Alloy 316 and 316L grades
can be considered to perform equally well for a given
environment. The same is true for Alloy 317L. A notable
exception is in environments sufficiently corrosive
to cause intergranular corrosion of welds and heat-affected
zones on susceptible alloys. In such media, the Alloy
316L and 317L grades are preferred for the welded condition
since low carbon levels enhance resistance to intergranular
corrosion.
| Corrosion
Resistance in Boiling Solutions |
Boiling
Test
Solution |
Corrosion
Rate in Mils per Year (mm/y) for Cited Alloys |
| Alloy 316L |
Alloy 317L |
Base
Metal |
Welded |
Base
Metal |
Welded |
20%
Acetic Acid |
0.12
(0.003) |
0.12
(0.003) |
0.48
(0.012) |
0.36
(0.009) |
45%
Formic Acid |
23.4
(0.594) |
20.9
(0.531) |
18.3
(0.465) |
24.2
(0.615) |
1%
Hydrochloric Acid |
0.96
(0.024) |
63.6
(1.615) |
54.2
(1.377) |
51.4
(1.306) |
10%
Oxalic Acid |
48.2
(1.224) |
44.5
(1.130) |
44.9
(1.140) |
43.1
(1.094) |
20%
Phosphoric Acid |
0.60
(0.15) |
1.08
(0.027) |
0.72
(0.018) |
0.60
(0.015) |
10%
Sulfamic Acid |
124.2
(3.155) |
119.3
(3.030) |
94.2
(2.393) |
97.9
(2.487) |
10%
Sulfuric Acid |
635.3
(16.137) |
658.2
(16.718) |
298.1
(7.571) |
356.4
(9.053) |
10%
Sodium Bisulfate |
71.5
(1.816) |
56.2
(1.427) |
55.9
(1.420) |
66.4
(1.687) |
50%
Sodium Hydroxide |
77.6
(1.971) |
85.4
(2.169) |
32.8
(0.833) |
31.9
(0.810) |
Pitting/Crevice Corrosion
Resistance of austenitic stainless steels to pitting
and/or crevice corrosion in the presence of chloride
or other halide ions is enhanced by higher chromium
(Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and nitrogen (N) content. A relative
measure of pitting resistance is given by the PREN (Pitting
Resistance Equivalent, including Nitrogen) calculation,
where PRE = Cr+3.3Mo+16N. The PREN of Alloys
316 and 316L (24.2) is better than that of Alloy 304
(PREN = 19.0), reflecting the better pitting
resistance which 316 (or 316L) offers due to its Mo
content. Alloy 317L, with 31.% Mo and PREN
= 29.7, offers even better resistance to pitting than
the 316 alloys.
Alloy 304 stainless steel is considered
to resist pitting and crevice corrosion in waters containing
up to about 100 ppm chloride. The Mo-bearing Alloy 316
and Alloy 317L on the other hand will handle waters
with up to about 2000 and 5000 ppm chloride, respectively.
Although these alloys have been used with mixed success
in seawater (19,000 ppm chloride), they are not recommended
for such use. Alloy 2507 with 4% Mo, 25% Cr, and 7%
Ni is designed for use in salt water. The Alloys 316
and 317L are considered to be adequate for some marine
environment applications such as boat rails and hardware
and facades of buildings near the ocean, which are exposed
to salt spray. The Alloys 316 and 317L stainless steels
all perform without evidence of corrosion in the 100-hour,
5% salt spray (ASTM B117) test.
Intergranular Corrosion
Both Alloys 316 and 317L are susceptible to precipitation
of chromium carbides in grain boundaries when exposed
to temperatures in the 800 to 1500°F (427 to 816°C)
range. Such "sensitized" steels are subject
to intergranular corrosion when exposed to aggressive
environments. Where short periods of exposure are encountered,
however, such as in welding, Alloy 317L with its higher
chromium and molybdenum content, is more resistant to
intergranular attack than Alloy 316 for applications
where light gauge material is to be welded. Heavier
cross sections over 7/16 inch (11.1 mm) usually require
annealing even when Alloy 317L is used.
For applications where heavy cross sections
cannot be annealed after welding or where low temperature
stress relieving treatments are desired, the low carbon
Alloys 316L and 317L are available to avoid the hazard
of intergranular corrosion. This provides resistance
to intergranular attack with any thickness in the as-welded
condition or with short periods of exposure in the 800
to 1500°F (427 to 826°C) temperature range.
Where vessels require stress-relieving treatment, short
treatments falling within these limits can be employed
without affecting the normal excellent corrosion resistance
of the metal. Accelerated cooling from higher temperatures
for the "L" grades is not needed when very
heavy or bulky sections have been annealed.
Alloys 316L and 317L possess the same
desirable corrosion resistance and mechanical properties
as the corresponding higher carbon alloys and offer
an additional advantage in highly corrosive applications
where intergranular corrosion is a hazard. Although
the short duration heating encountered during welding
or stress relieving does not produce susceptibility
to intergranular corrosion, it should be noted that
continuous or prolonged exposure at 800 to 1500°F
(427 to 826°C) can be harmful from this standpoint
with Alloys 316L and 317L. Also stress relieving between
1100 to 1500°F (593 to 816°C) may cause some
slight embrittlement of these types.
| Intergranular
Corrosion Tests |
ASTM
A262 Evaluation
Test |
Corrosion
Rate, Mils/Yr (mm/a) |
| Alloy 316 |
Alloy 316L |
Alloy 317L |
Practice B
Base Metal
Welded |
36 (0.9)
41 (1.0) |
26 (0.7)
23 (0.6) |
21 (0.5)
24 (0.6) |
Practice E
Base Metal
Welded |
No Fissures
on Bend
Some Fissures
on Weld (unacceptable) |
No Fissures
No Fissures |
No Fissures
No Fissures |
Practice A
Base Metal
Welded |
Step Structure
Ditched (unacceptable) |
Step Structure
Step Structure |
Step Structure
Step Structure |
Stress Corrosion Cracking
Austenitic stainless steels are susceptible to stress
corrosion cracking (SCC) in halide environments. Although
the Alloys 316 and 317L are somewhat more resistant
to SCC than the 18 Cr-8 Ni alloys because of their molybdenum
content, they still are quire susceptible. Conditions
which produce SSC are: (1) presence of halide ion (generally
chloride), (2) residual tensile stresses, and (3) temperatures
in excess of about 120°F (49°C).
Stresses result from cold deformation
or thermal cycles during welding. Annealing or stress
relieving heat treatments may be effective in reducing
stresses, thereby reducing sensitivity to halide SCC.
Although the low carbon "L" grades offer no
advantage as regards SCC resistance, they are better
choices for service in the stress-relieved condition
in environments which might cause intergranular corrosion.
| Halide (Chloride)
Stress Corrosion Tests |
Test |
U-Bend (Highly
Stressed) Samples |
| Alloy 316 |
Alloy 316L |
Alloy 317L |
| 42% Magnesium Chloride, Boiling |
Cracked,
4-24 hours |
Cracked,
21-45 hours |
Cracked,
72 hours |
| 33% Lithium Chloride, Boiling |
Cracked,
48-569 hours |
Cracked,
21-333 hours |
Cracked,
22-72 hours |
| 26% Sodium Chloride, Boiling |
Cracked,
530-940 hours |
No Cracking,
1002 hours |
Cracked,
1000 hours |
| 40% Calcium Chloride, Boiling |
Cracked,
144-1000 hours |
-- |
-- |
| Seacoast Exposure, Ambient Temperature |
No Cracking |
No Cracking |
No Cracking |
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Oxidation
Resistance
The Alloys 316 and 317L exhibit excellent resistance
to oxidation and a low rate of scaling in air atmospheres
at temperatures up to 1600 to 1650°F (871 to 899°C).
The performance of Alloy 316 is generally somewhat inferior
to that of Alloy 304 stainless steel which has slightly
higher chromium content (18% vs. 16% for Alloy 316).
Since the rate of oxidation is greatly influenced by
the atmosphere encountered and by operating conditions,
no actual data can be presented which are applicable
to all service conditions.
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Physical
Properties
Structure
When properly annealed, Alloys 316 and 317L are primarily
austenitic. Small quantities of ferrite may or may not
be present. When slowly cooled or held in the temperature
range 800 to 1500°F (427 to 816°C), carbides
are precipitated and the structure consists of austenite
plus carbides.
Melting Range: 2450 to 2630°F
(1390 to 1440°C)
Density: 0.29 lb/in3
(8.027 g/cm3)
Modulus of Elasticity in Tension:
29 x 106 psi (200 Gpa)
Modulus of Shear: 11.9 x 106
psi (82 Gpa)
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion
| Temperature
Range |
Coefficients |
| °F |
°C |
in/in/°F |
cm/cm/°C |
| 68 - 212 |
20 - 100 |
9.2 x 10-6 |
16.5 x 10-6 |
| 68 - 932 |
20 - 500 |
10.1 x 10-6 |
18.2 x 10-6 |
| 68 - 1832 |
20 - 1000 |
10.8 x 10-6 |
19.5 x 10-6 |
Thermal Conductivity
| Temperature
Range |
Btu•in/hr•ft2•°F |
W/m•K |
| °F |
°C |
| 68 - 212 |
20 - 100 |
100.8 |
14.6 |
The overall heat transfer coefficient
of metals is determined by factors in addition to thermal
conductivity of the metal. The ability of the 18-8 stainless
grades to maintain clean surfaces often allows better
heat transfer than other metals having higher thermal
conductivity.
Specific Heat
| °F |
°C |
Btu/lb•°F |
Jkg•K |
| 68 |
20 |
0.108 |
450 |
| 200 |
93 |
0.116 |
485 |
Electrical Resistivity
| Alloy |
Value at
68°F (20°C) |
| Microhm-in. |
Microhm-cm. |
| 316 |
29.1 |
74.0 |
| 317 |
31.1 |
79.0 |
Magnetic Permeability
Austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic in the
annealed, fully austenitic condition. The magnetic permeability
of the Alloys 316 and 317L in the annealed condition
is generally less than 1.02 at 200 H (oersteds). Permeability
values for cold deformed material vary with composition
and the amount of cold deformation but are usually higher
than that for annealed material.
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Mechanical
Properties
Room Temperature Tensile Properties
Minimum mechanical properties for annealed Alloys 316,
316L and 317L austenitic stainless steel plate as required
by ASTM specifications A240 and ASME specification SA-240
are shown below.
| Property |
Minimum
Mechanical Properties Required by ASTM A240 and
ASME SA-240 |
| Alloy 316 (S31600) |
Alloy 316L (S31603) |
Alloy 317L (S31703) |
Yield Strength
0.2% Offset
psi (MPa) |
30,000
(205) |
25,000
(170) |
30,000
(205) |
Ultimate Tensile Strength
psi (MPa) |
75,000
(515) |
70,000
(485) |
75,000
(515) |
| Percent Elongation in
2 in. or 51 mm. |
40.0 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
Hardness Max.
Brinell (RB) |
217
(95) |
217
(95) |
217
(95) |
Effect of Cold Work
Deformation of austenitic alloys at room or slightly
elevated temperature produces an increase in strength
accompanied by a decrease in elongation value. Alloys
316, 316L, and 317L flat rolled products are generally
available in the annealed condition.
Analyses Tested (See footnote)
| Alloy |
C |
Mn |
Cr |
Ni |
Mo |
| 316 |
0.051 |
1.65 |
17.33 |
13.79 |
2.02 |
| 316L |
0.015 |
1.84 |
16.17 |
10.16 |
2.11 |
| 317L |
0.025 |
1.72 |
18.48 |
12.75 |
3.15 |
Elevated Temperature Tensile Properties
Representative short time elevated temperature tensile
properties for Alloys 316, 316L, and 317L of the following
analyses are shown below.
Analyses Tested (See footnote)
| Alloy |
C |
Mn |
Cr |
Ni |
Mo |
| 316 |
0.080 |
1.5 |
17.78 |
12.5 |
2.46 |
| 316L |
0.015 |
1.84 |
16.17 |
10.16 |
2.11 |
| 317L |
0.025 |
1.72 |
18.48 |
12.75 |
3.15 |
Type 316 (Bar specimen tension test
procedures)
| Test
Temperature |
Yield Strength
0.2% Offset |
Ultimate
Tensile
Strength |
| °F |
°C |
psi |
MPa |
psi |
MPa |
| 68 |
20 |
42,000 |
292 |
82,000 |
568 |
| 200 |
93 |
-- |
-- |
75,600 |
521 |
| 400 |
204 |
-- |
-- |
71,400 |
492 |
| 600 |
316 |
-- |
-- |
71,150 |
491 |
| 800 |
427 |
26,500 |
183 |
71,450 |
493 |
| 1000 |
538 |
23,400 |
161 |
68,400 |
472 |
| 1200 |
649 |
22,600 |
156 |
50,650 |
349 |
| 1400 |
760 |
-- |
-- |
30,700 |
212 |
| 1600 |
871 |
-- |
-- |
18,000 |
124 |
| Test
Temperature |
Elongation,
Percent in
2 in. (51 mm) |
Reduction
in Area, Percent |
| °F |
°C |
| 68 |
20 |
68.0 |
81.0 |
| 200 |
93 |
54.0 |
80.0 |
| 400 |
204 |
51.0 |
78.0 |
| 600 |
316 |
48.0 |
71.0 |
| 800 |
427 |
47.0 |
71.0 |
| 1000 |
538 |
55.0 |
70.0 |
| 1200 |
649 |
24.0 |
32.0 |
| 1400 |
760 |
26.0 |
35.0 |
| 1600 |
871 |
47.0 |
40.0 |
Stress Rupture and Creep Properties
At temperatures of about 1000°F (538°C) and
higher, creep and stress rupture become considerations
for the austenitic stainless steels. Considerable variation
in the creep strength and stress rupture strength values
is reported by various investigators.
Impact Resistance
The annealed austenitic stainless steels maintain a
high level of impact resistance even at cryogenic temperatures,
a property which, in combination with their low temperature
strength and fabricability, has led to their extensive
use in cryogenic applications. Representative Charpy
V-notch impact data for annealed Type 316 at room temperature
are shown below.
| Temperature |
Energy Absorbed |
| °F |
°C |
Ft-lb |
J |
| 75 |
23 |
65 - 100 |
88 - 134 |
Fatigue Strength
The fatigue strength or endurance limit is the maximum
stress below which material is unlikely to fail in 10
million cycles in air environment. For austenitic stainless
steels as a group, the fatigue strength is typically
about 35 percent of the tensile strength. Substantial
variability in service results is experienced since
additional variables such as corrosive conditions, form
of stress and mean value, surface roughness, and other
factors affect fatigue properties. For this reason,
no definitive endurance limit values can be given which
are representative of all operating conditions.
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Heat
Treatment
Annealing
The austenitic stainless steels are provided in the
mill annealed condition ready for use. Heat treatment
may be necessary during or after fabrication to remove
the effects of cold forming or to dissolve precipitated
chromium carbides resulting from thermal exposures.
For the Alloys 316 and 317L the solution anneal is accomplished
by heating in the 1900 to 2150°F (1040 to 1175°C)
temperature range followed by air cooling or a water
quench, depending on section thickness. Cooling should
be sufficiently rapid through the 1500 to 800°F
(816 to 427°C) range to avoid reprecipitation of
chromium carbides and provide optimum corrosion resistance.
In every case, the metal should be cooled from the annealing
temperature to black heat in less than three minutes.
Alloys 316 and 317L cannot be hardened
by heat treatment.
Forging
| Initial |
2100 - 2200°F (1150 - 1205°C) |
| Finishing |
1700 - 1750°F (927 - 955°C) |
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Fabrication
The austenitic stainless steels, including
the Alloys 316 and 317L, are routinely fabricated into
a variety of shapes ranging from the very simple to
very complex. These alloys are blanked, pierced, and
formed on equipment essentially the same as used for
carbon steel. The excellent ductility of the austenitic
alloys allows them to be readily formed by bending,
stretching, deep drawing, and spinning. However, because
of their greater strength and work hardenability, the
power requirements for the austenitic grades during
forming operations are considerably greater than for
carbon steels. Attention to lubrication during forming
of the austenitic alloys is essential to accommodate
the high strength and galling tendency of these alloys.
Welding
The austenitic stainless steels are considered to be
the most weldable of the stainless steels. They are
routinely joined by all fusion and resistance welding
processes. Two important considerations for weld joints
in these alloys are (1) avoidance of solidification
cracking, and (2) preservation of corrosion resistance
of the weld and heat-affected zones.
Fully austenitic weld deposits are more
susceptible to cracking during welding. For this reason,
Alloys 316, 316L, and 317L "matching" filler
metals are formulated to solidify with a small amount
of ferrite in the microstructure to minimize cracking
susceptibility.
For weldments to be used in the as-welded
condition in corrosive environments, it is advisable
to utilize the low carbon Alloys 316L and 317L base
metal and filler metals. The higher the carbon level
of the material being welded, the greater the likelihood
the welding thermal cycles will allow chromium carbide
precipitation (sensitization), which could result in
intergranular corrosion. The low carbon "L"
grades are designed to minimize or avoid sensitization.
High-molybdenum weld deposits may experience
degraded corrosion resistance in severe environments
due to micro-segregation of molybdenum. to overcome
this effect, the molybdenum content of the weld filler
metal should be increased. For some severe application
for the 317L alloys, weld deposits containing 4 percent
or more of molybdenum may be desirable. Alloy 904L (AWS
ER 385, 4.5% Mo) or Alloy 625 (AWS ERNiCrMo-3, 9% Mo)
filler metals have been used for this purpose.
Be careful to avoid copper or zinc contamination
in the weld zone since these elements can form low melting
point compounds which in turn can create weld cracking.
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