SS 316 / 316L — Sheet, Plate, Coil, Pipe & Tube & Fittings
Also sold as AISI 316L · UNS S31603 · W.Nr 1.4404 · Marine-grade stainless
SS 316 / 316L is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel, chosen for chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service. We supply it as sheet, plate, coil, pipe & tube, fittings, flanges, fasteners, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates, from Mumbai to India, the Gulf, South-East Asia, South America, Europe, the UK and the USA.
- UNS S31603
- W.Nr 1.4404
- PREN ≈ 24
- ρ 8 g/cm³
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
SS 316 / 316L Names, Designations & Composition
SS 316 / 316L is one alloy sold under several names. Its UNS number is S31603, the European material number is W.Nr 1.4404 and the EN name is X2CrNiMo17-12-2. The chart on the right shows the specified range of each main alloying element; the balance is the base metal.
SS 316 / 316L Specifications by Product — Which Standard Applies?
The material standard changes with the product form. This is the table buyers ask for most.
| Product | Material standard | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| SS 316 / 316L sheet | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 / B906 |
| SS 316 / 316L plate | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 / B906 / A20 |
| SS 316 / 316L coil | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 |
| SS 316 / 316L pipe & tube | ASTM A312 TP316L · ASTM A312 · A358 | ASME B36.19 / B36.10 |
| SS 316 / 316L fittings | ASTM A403 WP316L · ASTM A182 F316L | ASME B16.9 · B16.11 |
| SS 316 / 316L flanges | ASTM A182 F316L | ASME B16.5 · B16.47 |
| SS 316 / 316L fasteners | ASTM A193 B8M · A194 8M | ASME B18.2.1 · B18.2.2 |
SS 316 / 316L Chemical Composition
Under technical review for TDS.
| Element | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Chromium | As specified |
| Nickel | As specified |
| Molybdenum | As specified |
| Carbon | As specified |
| Manganese | As specified |
| Silicon | As specified |
| Nitrogen | As specified |
| Phosphorus | As specified |
| Sulphur | As specified |
| Iron | As specified |
Numerical specification requirements are published only after the applicable current standard edition has been verified. Governing specification to be verified: ASTM A240 for UNS S31603.
SS 316 / 316L Mechanical Properties
Under technical review for TDS.
| Property | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | As specified |
| Yield strength 0.2% | As specified |
| Elongation | As specified |
| Hardness | As specified |
Numerical specification requirements are published only after the applicable current standard edition has been verified. Governing specification and condition to be verified: ASTM A240 for UNS S31603 — Annealed plate & sheet (316L).
Density & Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 1375 – 1400 °C |
| Magnetic | Non-magnetic annealed |
| PREN (approx.) | ≈ 24 |
SS 316 / 316L Equivalent Grades
SS 316 / 316L Corrosion Resistance — What Each Element Does
Molybdenum is what lets 316L survive coastal air, brackish water and mild chlorides where 304 pits.
Chromium forms the passive film.
Extra nickel balances the molybdenum and keeps the steel austenitic.
Low carbon keeps welds free of sensitisation.
Where Is SS 316 / 316L Used? Applications
SS 316 / 316L vs 304, 904L and 2205
| Grade | PREN (approx.) | Pick it for |
|---|---|---|
| SS 304 | ≈ 18 | General corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work |
| SS 316 / 316L | ≈ 24 | Chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service |
| SS 904L | ≈ 35 | Dilute sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and chloride-bearing cooling water |
| Duplex 2205 | ≈ 35 | Strength with chloride resistance at a stainless-steel budget |
Welding SS 316 / 316L
| Matching filler | ER316L (AWS A5.9) |
|---|---|
| Also used | ER309LMo for dissimilar joints |
SS 316 / 316L for export
FOB / CIF · Nhava Sheva (JNPT), MumbaiSS 316 / 316L — questions buyers ask
What is SS 316 / 316L?
SS 316 / 316L is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel. It is chosen for chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service.
Which standards cover SS 316 / 316L products?
Sheet: ASTM A240; Plate: ASTM A240; Coil: ASTM A240; Pipe & Tube: ASTM A312 TP316L · ASTM A312 · A358; Fittings: ASTM A403 WP316L · ASTM A182 F316L; Flanges: ASTM A182 F316L; Fasteners: ASTM A193 B8M · A194 8M. Always name the standard and edition on your order.
What is the UNS number of SS 316 / 316L?
UNS S31603 (316L) · S31600 (316), with the European material number W.Nr 1.4404 · 1.4401.
What is the density of SS 316 / 316L?
8 g/cm³ — use it to calculate weights: plate kg = L(m) × W(m) × t(mm) × 8.
SS 316 / 316L or Duplex 2205?
SS 316 / 316L suits chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service; Duplex 2205 is the step up for strength with chloride resistance at a stainless-steel budget.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026