316L

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event2025-9-30
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Type Stainless Steel 316L is the low-carbon variant of 316 austenitic stainless steel, alloyed with molybdenum for improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion compared with 304. It is commonly used for welded components, springs and spring-energized seals when chloride exposure or elevated-temperature stability of welds is a concern. See related materials and product pages for alternatives and spring examples.

Contents

Introduction & quick summary
Core characteristics
Typical applications
Forming into springs & spring types
Alternatives & comparison
Selection guidance
FAQ
References

Introduction & quick summary

316L (UNS S31603) is an austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum stainless steel with low carbon (≤ 0.03 wt%) to avoid sensitization during welding. 316L is often specified for springs and spring energizers used in chloride-containing environments, chemical processing, food & pharma, and marine applications where improved pitting resistance and weldability are required. For product examples see our spring-energized seal, canted coil spring and helical spring pages.

Request a quote: include fluid chemistry, temperature range and gland geometry to get recommended wire/strip temper and diameter. See our Materials index for full material options.

Core characteristics

Typical chemical composition (wt%) — representative

Note: ranges follow common commercial specifications (ASTM A240 / EN equivalents). Fe (iron) is the balance. Always confirm exact lot values on the supplier mill certificate.

Element	Typical (wt%)
Iron (Fe)	Balance (≈ 65–75%)
Chromium (Cr)	16.0 – 18.0
Nickel (Ni)	10.0 – 14.0
Molybdenum (Mo)	2.0 – 3.0
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.03
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 2.0
Silicon (Si)	≤ 1.0
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.045
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.03
Nitrogen (N)	≤ 0.10 (varies)

Key physical data (typical)

Typical physical & mechanical properties for 316L in common wrought forms (sheet/strip/wire). `` values are machine-readable SI units (density kg/m³, moduli & strengths Pa, temperatures K). Use supplier datasheets for procurement & acceptance.

Property	Stainless Steel 316L (typical)
Density	8.00 g/cm³ — (8000 kg/m³)
Elastic modulus (E)	≈ 193×10⁹ Pa — (≈ 193 GPa)
Shear modulus (G)	≈ 77×10⁹ Pa — (≈ 77 GPa)
Tensile strength (UTS) — minimum (ASTM A240)	≥ 485×10⁶ Pa — (≥ 485 MPa / 70 ksi) per common plate/sheet specs; actual UTS varies with temper and product form.
Yield strength (0.2% offset) — minimum	≥ 170×10⁶ Pa — (≥ 170 MPa / 25 ksi) per common specs. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Min service temperature	≈ −196 °C (≈ −320.8 °F) — many austenitic stainless steels remain tough at cryogenic temperatures; verify product form.
Short-term / intermittent max (oxidation limit)	≈ 870 °C (≈ 1600 °F) — intermittent exposures; continuous oxidation behaviour depends on atmosphere. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Recommended long-term continuous	≈ 260 °C (≈ 500 °F) — conservative guidance for long-term spring mechanical performance; obtain supplier stress-relaxation data for high-T springs.

Typical applications

Spring-energized seals and canted coil springs in chloride-bearing or welded assemblies where 304 may be susceptible to sensitization.
Food, pharmaceutical and chemical equipment where weld corrosion resistance and cleanability are required.
Marine fittings, heat exchangers, piping and valves exposed to chloride-containing service (subject to design). See our Oil & Gas Springs and Full Contact Springs pages for use-cases.

Forming into springs & spring types

Summary: 316L is typically supplied annealed for forming or as spring-tempered wire/strip. Strength for springs is mainly developed by cold work; common spring forms include canted coil, helical, cantilever (V/U) and full-contact springs. See design examples on our Canted Coil Springs and Helical Springs pages.

Forming & finishing notes

Because 316L has low carbon, it resists sensitization and carbide precipitation in welded zones — useful when springs are part of welded assemblies.
Cold working increases strength and magnetic permeability (annealed 316L is essentially non-magnetic; cold-worked forms may be slightly magnetic).
Electropolish / passivation recommended to improve corrosion fatigue performance in aggressive fluids and reduce initiation sites.
Always request supplier stress-relaxation data at the intended operating temperature and diameter for your chosen temper and wire/strip form.

Alternatives & comparison

Short comparison to help shortlist candidate materials. Values are indicative engineering guidance — verify for selected temper/diameter with supplier datasheets and mill certificates.

Material	Best when	Typical strength (UTS)	Service temp guidance
Stainless 316L (UNS S31603)	Welded components, chloride environments, good overall corrosion resistance	≥ 485 MPa (per ASTM minima for plate/sheet); depends on temper/product form	Long-term ≤ ≈ 260 °C (≈ 500 °F); intermittent to ≈ 870 °C (≈ 1600 °F)
Stainless 316 / 316Ti	Higher-temp strength or stabilized grades for specific weld concerns	Comparable	Varies with alloy; check supplier
Inconel 625 / Hastelloy C-276	When chloride + oxidizer corrosion or higher temperature/chemical resistance dominate	Higher (alloy & temper dependent)	Often better high-T & SCC resistance — see respective material pages: Inconel 625, Hastelloy C-276
Elgiloy / MP35N	When extreme fatigue life, SSC resistance or long-term preload retention is required	Very high (work-hardened tempers)	Typically lower recommended long-term temperatures than high-Ni alloys; see respective pages

Selection guidance

Direct selection pointers for spring-energizer designers:

Choose 316L when your assembly includes welding or the fluid contains chlorides and pitting/crevice resistance is required.
Choose 304 / 301 when chloride exposure is limited and maximum cold-work hardening is the priority for strength.
Choose nickel / cobalt alloys (Inconel 625, Hastelloy, Elgiloy, MP35N) when SCC/SSC, extreme corrosion or high-temperature performance dominates the design constraints.

Quick validation checklist

Confirm temper & UTS/yield from supplier temper charts for the chosen wire/strip diameter.
Request stress-relaxation curves for the intended operating temperature & diameter.
Run representative corrosion + fatigue testing in the actual process fluid/temperature for critical services.

FAQ

Q1: Why choose 316L instead of 316 for springs?

A1: 316L has lower carbon (≤0.03 wt%) which reduces carbide precipitation in welded zones — important when springs are part of welded assemblies or in thicker sections. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Q2: Is 316L suitable for subsea and marine spring applications?

A2: Yes — 316L offers good resistance to chloride corrosion in many marine environments; for highly aggressive subsea or sour (H₂S) service, evaluate SSC risk and consider higher-alloy CRAs. See the Nickel alloy and Cobalt-Nickel alloy pages for alternatives.

Q3: What long-term temperature is safe for 316L springs?

A3: Conservative long-term guidance is ≤ ≈ 260 °C (≈ 500 °F) for spring mechanical performance; request supplier stress-relaxation data for higher temperatures. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Q4: What product forms are available for spring manufacture in 316L?

A4: Wire, strip, sheet and tubing are commonly available; for springs order spring-tempered wire/strip from specialty suppliers and request temper/UTS tables and fatigue/stress-relaxation data.