What is 316 stainless steel ?

316 stainless steel

316 stainless steel is a particular formula of stainless steel that is particularly resistant to corrosion. It is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade for stainless steel and is one of the most-used forms of the metal in factories and other uses today. The mixture of the metals inside the steel formula make it ideal for forming into a variety of shapes and also help resist pitting and other common problems that often mar the finish on steel products.

316 stainless steel

Two types of 316 stainless steel. 

There are actually two type of 316 stainless steel, the high-carbon version and the low-carbon version. The high carbon version is used to manufacture a large variety of formed stainless metal parts through roll forming, extrusion, and die forming. The low carbon metal is ideal for welding, as higher concentrations of carbon create a weaker welded bond in the metal. There are other variations to 316 steel as well, such as 316Ti for higher temperature resistance and 316N for higher metal strength.



In general, 316 steel is the metal of choice for use around water. It is corrosion resistant to cold sea water and freshwater, but it does have some problems with warm sea water. Warm sea water can cause staining and browning on the metal, although it takes many years for the water to actually eat into the metal. Because of its water-resisting properties, 316 steel is known as “marine grade stainless steel.”






316 steel is highly versatile and can be formed and changed in a variety of machining methods. The three most common ways to form 316 steel is through heat treating, welding, and machining. With all of these formation options, the stainless steel has uses in a wide variety of industries, including food preparation, laboratory equipment, springs, fasteners, coastal metal support and railings, water screens, chemical containers, boat parts, and heat exchangers.

Reference: http://www.stainless-steel.us/