316L (A4 in DIN, 1.4404 in EN) adds 2-3 percent molybdenum to the 304 chemistry, dramatically improving resistance to chloride pitting. The 'L' designation means low carbon — essential for welded components where sensitization at the weld would otherwise reduce corrosion resistance.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485 MPa |
| Yield strength | 170 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 40% |
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Modulus | 193 GPa |
| Hardness | ~80 HRB |
| Max service temperature | 870 °C |
| Pitting resistance (PRE) | ~25 |
| Machinability rating | Tough |
Process compatibility
| Process | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CNC milling | Good | Tougher than 304, slower feeds advised. |
| CNC turning | Good | Standard for valve bodies, shafts. |
| Sheet metal | Excellent | Used in commercial kitchen and pharma equipment. |
| Investment casting | Excellent | Common cast pharma grade. |
| Electropolishing | Excellent | Pharma and semiconductor finish standard. |
Typical applications
- Marine fittings and fasteners.
- Pharmaceutical and biotech equipment (CIP/SIP).
- Medical devices (non-implantable).
- Coastal architectural elements.
Why marine grade matters
304 in marine atmosphere will pit and rust within a year. 316L lasts decades. The price premium is small; the lifetime difference is large.
Specifying it on Uretyco
- 1Pick 316L from the dropdown
Default low-carbon grade for most use cases.
- 2Specify electropolish for pharma
Adds Ra < 0.4 µm for cleanability.
- 3Request passivation per ASTM A967
Default for parts in corrosive service.
- 4Request MTR for regulated industries
Included on pharma, medical, and food orders.
Related materials
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