SS 316 / 316L Pipe & TubeASTM A312 TP316L · Manufacturer, stockist & exporter, India
Also sold as AISI 316L · UNS S31603 · W.Nr 1.4404 · Marine-grade stainless
SS 316 / 316L pipe is supplied seamless to ASTM A312 TP316L and welded to ASTM A312 · A358, in ASME pipe sizes and schedules, with tube to ASTM A213 · A269 · A249. It is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel, chosen for chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service. Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. supplies it with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates from Mumbai to buyers across India, the Gulf, South-East Asia, South America, Europe, the UK and the USA.
- Stock & mill supply
- EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2
- PMI on request
- Export packing
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube?
SS 316 / 316L pipe & tube is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel supplied as pipe & tube to ASTM A312 TP316L (UNS S31603). Buyers specify it for chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service. It is also sold as AISI 316L, UNS S31603, W.Nr 1.4404.
- What it is
- Molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel
- Seamless
- ASTM A312 TP316L
- Welded
- ASTM A312 · A358
- Sizes
- NPS ⅛" – 24" · OD tube to order
- Schedules
- 5S · 10S · 40S · 80S · 160 · XXS
- Best at
- Chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service
SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube Specification & Sizes
| Seamless pipe | ASTM A312 TP316L |
|---|---|
| Welded pipe | ASTM A312 · A358 |
| Tube | ASTM A213 · A269 · A249 |
| Grade | SS 316 / 316L · UNS S31603 (316L) · S31600 (316) · W.Nr 1.4404 · 1.4401 |
| Size & schedule | NPS ⅛" to 24" to ASME B36.19 / B36.10; OD × wall for tube |
| Length | Single random, double random, or cut lengths |
| Ends | Plain end · bevelled end (for welding) · threaded |
| Testing | Hydrostatic or eddy-current · PMI · flattening & flaring · IGC on request |
| Documents | EN 10204 3.1 · 3.2 with third-party inspection |
SS 316 / 316L Pipe: Seamless, Welded or Tube?
Three different specifications cover 316L tubular products. Pick the route first — it decides price, test requirements and lead time. General requirements (tolerances, hydrostatic or electric testing) come from ASTM A999. Schedules, the −12.5% wall tolerance and the B31.3 wall formula are explained in the pipe guide.
| Route | Specification | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Seamless pipe | ASTM A312 TP316L | Pressure and critical service; no weld seam to inspect. |
| Welded pipe | ASTM A312 · A358 | Economical in larger diameters and thinner walls where the code allows it. |
| Tube | ASTM A213 · A269 · A249 | Heat exchangers and instruments; ordered by exact OD × wall. |
SS 316 / 316L Pipe Wall & Weight by Schedule
For the same size, the schedule sets the wall — and the weight you pay for. Cross-sections are drawn to scale for 2" NPS (OD 60.33 mm, ASME B36.19); weights use the density of SS 316 / 316L, 8 g/cm³.
Other sizes: pipe schedule chart and weight calculator.
SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube 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 Pipe & Tube 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 Pipe Weight Chart (kg/m)
Weight per metre (kg/m) = (OD − WT) × WT × 0.02513, with OD and wall thickness in mm. The factor comes from SS 316 / 316L's density of 8 g/cm³.
Example: 4" Sch 40S (114.30 × 6.02 mm)
(114.30 − 6.02) × 6.02 × 0.02513 = 16.38 kg/m
| NPS | OD mm | Sch 10S kg/m | Sch 40S kg/m |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½" | 21.34 | 1.02 | 1.29 |
| 1" | 33.40 | 2.13 | 2.55 |
| 2" | 60.33 | 4.01 | 5.54 |
| 3" | 88.90 | 6.58 | 11.51 |
| 4" | 114.30 | 8.53 | 16.38 |
| 6" | 168.28 | 14.09 | 28.80 |
| 8" | 219.08 | 20.35 | 43.36 |
Six-digit Harmonized System heading (iron and steel, chapter 72–73). Your country adds its own digits — confirm with your customs broker. All HS codes.
How to Verify SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube with PMI
Positive material identification with a handheld XRF gun confirms the alloy on the piece itself, in seconds, before it is cut or welded. SS 316 / 316L is most often mixed up with SS 304 — the table shows which elements tell them apart.
Handheld XRF does not measure carbon or nitrogen, so it cannot tell 316 from 316L: the low carbon is confirmed by the mill certificate or optical emission (OES) testing. PMI can be arranged on request — state it on your enquiry.
Under technical review for TDS.
| Element | SS 316 / 316L | SS 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel | As specified | As specified |
| Chromium | As specified | As specified |
| Molybdenum | As specified | — |
| Iron | As specified | As specified |
| Manganese | As specified | As specified |
SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube Price — What Decides It
Two quotes for "316L pipe & tube" can differ by 20% and both be fair. We quote 316L pipe & tube per kg for full sizes and per piece for cut sizes. These six things move the price per kg, so you can compare offers like for like.
SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube Applications
SS 316 / 316L is specified when the cheaper grade will not survive the service but a higher alloy would be more than the job needs. These are the jobs our buyers use it for.
SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube vs 304, 904L and 2205
| Grade | Pipe & Tube standard | PREN (approx.) | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS 304 | ASTM A312 TP304 | ≈ 18 | General corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work |
| SS 316 / 316L | ASTM A312 TP316L | ≈ 24 | Chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service |
| SS 904L | ASTM A312 (N08904) | ≈ 35 | Dilute sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and chloride-bearing cooling water |
| Duplex 2205 | ASTM A790 | ≈ 35 | Strength with chloride resistance at a stainless-steel budget |
PREN = Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N, from mid-range chemistry. A screening guide, not a substitute for corrosion data on your medium.
SS 316 / 316L Corrosion Resistance — Element by Element
Each alloying addition has a job. Knowing which one protects against your medium is the quickest way to judge whether 316L fits.
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.
How your 316L pipe & tube order runs
- 01Enquiry review — we confirm size, standard edition and documents against your MR or drawing.
- 02Heat selection & PMI — the mill certificate is checked against your order; PMI before processing is available on request.
- 03Processing — cutting, machining or bevelling to your specification, with heat numbers marked.
- 04Inspection — your third-party inspector witnesses, or we share photos and test reports.
- 05Packing & dispatch — seaworthy packing from Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai, FOB or CIF, documents sent before the vessel sails.
Standards on this page
Welding & Fabricating SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube
SS 316 / 316L welds by all common arc processes. A few points our buyers ask about:
| Matching filler | ER316L (AWS A5.9) |
|---|---|
| Over-alloyed filler | ER309LMo for dissimilar joints |
| Preheat | Not required; keep interpass temperature low |
| Cutting | Thermal or abrasive cutting; grind off heat-tinted edges before welding |
Follow your approved WPS; this is general guidance. See also 316L fittings and 316L flanges for the matching pipe-system parts.
How to Order SS 316 / 316L Pipe & Tube: RFQ Checklist
Get an accurate quote the first time. Copy this list into your enquiry:
- Seamless or welded, and the standard
- NPS and schedule (or OD × wall for tube)
- Length — random or cut, and number of lengths
- End finish — plain, bevelled or threaded
- Certificate type and extra tests
- Delivery port, Incoterm and required date
SS 316 / 316L pipe & tube for export
FOB / CIF · Nhava Sheva (JNPT), MumbaiSS 316 / 316L pipe & tube — questions buyers ask
Is SS 316 / 316L the same as AISI 316L?
AISI 316L, UNS S31603, W.Nr 1.4404 are names used for SS 316 / 316L (W.Nr / EN numbers and older UNS variants are the closest designations; their limits can differ slightly, so specify the UNS number and ASTM grade on the order), and pipe & tube is ordered to ASTM A312 TP316L whichever name is on the enquiry.
What is the difference between SS 316 / 316L pipe and tube?
Pipe is ordered by nominal pipe size and schedule, for carrying fluids. Tube is ordered by exact outside diameter and wall, for heat exchangers and instruments, and is held to tighter tolerances.
Seamless or welded SS 316 / 316L pipe — which should I buy?
Seamless (ASTM A312 TP316L) is the default for pressure and critical service. Welded (ASTM A312 · A358) is cheaper in larger diameters and thinner walls and is accepted where the design code allows it.
What is the wall-thickness tolerance on SS 316 / 316L pipe?
Seamless pipe is normally allowed −12.5% on nominal wall under its general-requirements standard (ASTM A999). Allow for it in the pressure calculation or order on minimum wall.
Can SS 316 / 316L pipe be welded to carbon-steel pipe?
Yes, with the right filler: ER309L (or E309L electrode) is the usual filler when joining it to carbon steel. Follow a qualified WPS.
SS 316 / 316L or Duplex 2205 — which should I choose?
SS 316 / 316L is chosen for chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service. Duplex 2205 is the step up when you need more pitting resistance or strength. See the comparison table on this page, or ask us with your process conditions.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026