316 Stainless Steel Plate: Composition, Properties and Applications

What Is 316 Stainless Steel Plate?

316 stainless steel plate is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel with nominally 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel and 2-3% molybdenum. The molybdenum addition is the key difference from 304: it significantly improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments and increases resistance to many mineral and organic acids. Plate is supplied as hot-rolled plate and cold-rolled sheet under ASTM A240, JIS G4304 and G4305, GB/T 3280 and EN 10088-2, and it is one of the most widely specified materials for chemical, marine-adjacent and hygienic service where 304 is insufficient.

Equivalent Grade Designations

Standard	Designation
ASTM A240 (USA)	316, UNS S31600
JIS G4304 / G4305 (Japan)	SUS316
GB/T 3280 (China)	06Cr17Ni12Mo2
EN 10088-2 (Europe)	X5CrNiMo17-12-2, number 1.4401

Chemical Composition (ASTM A240 316)

Composition limits per ASTM A240 for UNS S31600, in weight percent:

Element	Limit (%)
Carbon (C)	0.08 max
Manganese (Mn)	2.00 max
Phosphorus (P)	0.045 max
Sulfur (S)	0.030 max
Silicon (Si)	0.75 max
Chromium (Cr)	16.0-18.0
Nickel (Ni)	10.0-14.0
Molybdenum (Mo)	2.0-3.0
Nitrogen (N)	0.10 max

Mechanical Properties

Property	ASTM A240 316	JIS G4305 SUS316
Tensile Strength	515 MPa min	520 MPa min
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)	205 MPa min	205 MPa min
Elongation	40% min	40% min
Hardness	217 HBW / 95 HRB max	217 HBW max

Density is approximately 7.98 g per cubic centimeter. The grade retains good toughness down to cryogenic temperatures of about -200 degrees C, which supports its use in low-temperature equipment where impact performance is verified by testing.

Corrosion Resistance and Key Properties

The pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN = Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N) of 316 is approximately 25. It resists dilute sulfuric and phosphoric acids, most organic acids, and chloride-bearing waters far better than 304, which is why 316 is the standard choice for coastal architecture, marine hardware and chemical storage. In seawater and highly chlorinated process streams, pitting and crevice corrosion can still occur, especially at crevices and under deposits, and higher-molybdenum grades such as 317L, duplex 2205 or 6% molybdenum super-austenitic alloys should be considered. In the annealed condition the plate is essentially non-magnetic; cold work can induce weak magnetism.

Applications

Chemical storage tanks, reactors and piping for acid and chloride service.

Food and beverage processing equipment, including brewing, dairy and edible-oil lines.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology equipment requiring cleanable, corrosion-resistant surfaces.

Coastal architectural cladding, handrails, lockers and marine fittings.

Heat exchanger plates, medical instruments and surgical tools (non-implant).

FAQ

Q1. What is the difference between 316 and 316L plate? 316L (UNS S31603) limits carbon to 0.030% maximum, avoiding chromium carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone during welding. For thick plate or welded structures, 316L is normally preferred; 316 is used when maximum elevated-temperature strength is needed and welding is not critical.

Q2. What is the difference between 316 and 304 plate? 316 adds 2-3% molybdenum, giving markedly better pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride and acid media. 316 typically costs 20-40% more than 304, so it is specified only where the environment justifies it.

Q3. Is 316 stainless steel plate magnetic? In the annealed condition 316 is austenitic and essentially non-magnetic. Cold rolling, bending or grinding can transform part of the structure to martensite, producing weak magnetism.

Q4. What is the maximum service temperature of 316 plate? Oxidation resistance in air is adequate to about 870-925 degrees C for intermittent exposure, but continuous service temperatures are limited by oxidation scaling and creep; for sustained service above roughly 550 degrees C, allowable stresses must be checked against code tables.

Q5. Can 316 plate be welded? Yes. TIG, MIG and SMAW with matching filler such as AWS ER316L are standard. No post-weld heat treatment is required, and low-carbon filler metal preserves corrosion resistance in the weld zone.

Q6. What surface finishes are available on 316 plate and sheet? Standard finishes include 2B (cold rolled, bright), BA (bright annealed), No.4 brush, HL hairline and mirror polish, with the required finish specified to ASTM A480 or the applicable JIS/GB surface designation.