Grade 316 is that the normal molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 amongst the primary solid solution unstained steels. The atomic number 42 offers 316 higher overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, significantly higher resistance to corroding and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. it's glorious forming and attachment characteristics. it's pronto brake or roll shaped into a range of elements for applications within the industrial, study, and transportation fields. Grade 316 conjointly has outstanding attachment characteristics. Post-weld tempering isn't needed once attachment skinny sections.
Grade 316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitisation (grain boundary inorganic compound precipitation). so it's extensively employed in significant gauge welded parts (over concerning 6mm). Grade 316H, with its higher carbon content has application at elevated temperatures, as will stabilized grade 316Ti.
The primary solid solution structure conjointly offers these grades glorious toughness, even all the way down to refrigerant temperatures.
Key Properties
These properties area unit such as for flat rolled product (plate, sheet and coil) in ASTM A240/A240M. Similar however not essentially identical properties area unit such as for different merchandise like pipe and bar in their individual specifications.
Corrosion Resistance
Excellent during a vary of atmospherical environments and lots of corrosive media - usually a lot of resistant than 304. Subject to corroding and crevice corrosion in heat chloride environments, and to fret corrosion cracking higher than concerning 60°C. thought of immune to potable water with up to concerning 1000mg/L chlorides at close temperatures, reducing to concerning 500mg/L at 60°C.
316 is sometimes thought to be the quality “marine grade unstained steel”, however it's not immune to heat ocean water. In several marine environments 316 will exhibit surface corrosion, sometimes visible as brown staining. this can be significantly related to crevices and rough surface end.
Heat Resistance
Good oxidization resistance in intermittent service to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C. Continuous use of 316 within the 425-860°C vary isn't suggested if later binary compound corrosion resistance is vital. Grade 316L is a lot of immune to inorganic compound precipitation and may be employed in the higher than temperature vary. Grade 316H has higher strength at elevated temperatures and is typically used for structural and pressure-containing applications at temperatures higher than concerning 500°C.
Heat Treatment
Solution Treatment (Annealing) - Heat to 1010-1120°C and funky chop-chop. These grades can not be hardened by thermal treatment.
Welding
Excellent weldability by all normal fusion strategies, each with and while not filler metals. AS 1554.6 pre-qualifies attachment of 316 with Grade 316 and 316L with Grade 316L rods or electrodes (or their high Si equivalents). significant welded sections in Grade 316 need post-weld tempering for max corrosion resistance. this can be not needed for 316L. Grade 316Ti might also be used as another to 316 for significant section attachment.
Applications
Typical applications include:
• Food preparation instrumentation significantly in chloride environments.
• Laboratory benches & instrumentation.
• Coastal study paneling, railings & trim.
• Boat fittings.
• Chemical containers, together with for transport.
• Heat Exchangers.
• plain-woven or welded screens for mining, production & water filtration.
• rib fasteners.
• Springs.
