SS 316 is an austenitic stainless steel with 16.0–18.0% chromium, 10.0–14.0% nickel and 2.0–3.0% molybdenum. The molybdenum is what separates it from 304: it resists pitting and crevice corrosion in chlorides. Annealed bar delivers 515 MPa minimum tensile strength, 205 MPa minimum yield and 30% minimum elongation to ASTM A276 Condition A. Engineers choose it for marine fittings and shafts, chemical process valves and pumps, pharma and food contact parts, heat exchanger components and surgical instruments. SS 316L limits carbon to 0.030% maximum for welded construction.
OneKaizen sources SS 316 from India's leading mills and international partner mills and supplies it as rolled round bars in Ø 16–500 mm, bright bars in Ø 8–160 mm, bright hex bars in 18–50 mm AF, hot rolled hex bars in 18–60 mm AF, square bars in 20–480 mm, forged bars in Ø 250–1,030 mm and wire rods in Ø 5.5–40 mm. Delivery condition is your choice: annealed, cold drawn, or bright (peeled or ground). Every consignment ships with a mill test certificate.
EQUIVALENT GRADES
SS 316 / 316L Equivalents
Direct means the same grade under another name. Close means the same alloy concept with slightly different limits, commonly substituted. Approximate means similar use with real differences: check with us before substituting.
| Standard | Designation | Match |
|---|---|---|
| BS 970 | 316S31 | Direct |
| BS 970 | 316S11 | Close |
| EN | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4401) | Direct |
| EN | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4404) | Close |
| DIN W.Nr. | 1.4401 | Direct |
| AISI/SAE | 316 | Direct |
| AISI/SAE | 316L | Close |
| UNS | S31600 | Direct |
| UNS | S31603 | Close |
| JIS | SUS316 | Direct |
| JIS | SUS316L | Close |
| KS | STS316 | Direct |
| KS | STS316L | Close |
| GB | 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 | Direct |
| GB | 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 | Close |
| UNI | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | Direct |
| UNE | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | Direct |
| TS | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | Direct |
SS 316 / 316L Chemical Composition
Per ASTM A276 (316; 316L has C max 0.030)
| Element | Range, wt % | Range chart |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | |
| Si | ≤ 1 | |
| P | ≤ 0.045 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | |
| Ni | 10 – 14 | |
| Mo | 2 – 3 |
SS 316 / 316L and Its Equivalents: Chemical Composition
Equivalent grades are written to different standards, so their limits differ slightly. Use the column for the standard on your drawing or purchase order.
| Element | 316 ASTM A276 | 316L ASTM A276 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4401) EN 10088-3 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4404) EN 10088-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C % | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.07 | ≤ 0.03 |
| Si % | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 |
| Mn % | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 |
| P % | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 |
| S % | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 |
| Cr % | 16.00–18.00 | 16.00–18.00 | 16.50–18.50 | 16.50–18.50 |
| Mo % | 2.00–3.00 | 2.00–3.00 | 2.00–2.50 | 2.00–2.50 |
| Ni % | 10.00–14.00 | 10.00–14.00 | 10.00–13.00 | 10.00–13.00 |
| N % | – | – | ≤ 0.11 | ≤ 0.11 |
SS 316 / 316L Mechanical Properties
| Condition | Tensile, MPa | Yield min, MPa | Elongation min, % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed (ASTM A276 Cond. A) | ≥ 515 | 205 | 30 | – |
Delivery Condition and Heat Treatment
SS 316 does not harden by heat treatment. We supply it annealed, with a fully austenitic structure that is soft, tough and non-hardenable. Cold drawing raises the strength at some cost to ductility, so tell us the strength you need and we supply the matching condition.
Corrosion resistance is the reason to buy 316. It handles chlorides, brines, many acids and marine atmospheres that pit 304. It is not immune: hot or concentrated chloride service, and seawater at temperature, can still attack it, and duplex grades suit those duties.
SS 316 welds readily by arc processes without preheat. For welded parts that will not be annealed afterwards, specify 316L, whose lower carbon avoids chromium carbide precipitation and intergranular attack in the heat-affected zone. Like 304, it work hardens in machining, so use sharp tools and a positive feed.
What We Supply SS 316 / 316L In
Round BarsRolled Ø 16–500 mm · Forged to order↗
Bright BarsRound Ø 8–160 mm · Hex 18–50 mm AF↗
Hex BarsHot rolled 18–60 mm AF · Bright 18–50 mm AF↗
Square BarsSquare 20–480 mm↗
Forged BarsRound Ø 250–1,030 mm · Square 280–800 mm↗
Wire RodsØ 5.5–40 mm↗
SS 300 SeriesBar, sheet, plate and forgings to order↗
Where SS 316 / 316L Is Used
Industries: Marine, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Oil and gas, Food processing
Compare SS 316 / 316L with Similar Grades
| SS 316 / 316L | SS 304 / 304L | SS 310 / 310S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why consider it | This grade | Lower cost where chlorides are not a concern | Higher temperature scaling resistance |
| C % | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.08 |
| Mn % | ≤ 2 | ≤ 2 | ≤ 2 |
| Si % | ≤ 1 | ≤ 1 | ≤ 1.5 |
| Cr % | 16–18 | 18–20 | 24–26 |
| Ni % | 10–14 | 8–10.5 | 19–22 |
| Mo % | 2–3 | – | – |
SS 316 / 316L Questions
What is the difference between SS 316 and 316L?
Carbon. SS 316 allows 0.08% maximum carbon; 316L allows 0.030% maximum. The lower carbon protects welds from intergranular corrosion, so use 316L for welded parts that stay as-welded. Strength and corrosion resistance are otherwise very close.
What is the difference between SS 316 and SS 304?
Molybdenum. SS 316 has 2.0–3.0% molybdenum and more nickel (10.0–14.0% against 8.0–10.5%), which gives it much better resistance to pitting in chlorides. Use 304 where chlorides are not a concern and 316 where salt, seawater or process chemicals are present.
Is SS 316 suitable for seawater and marine use?
It suits marine atmospheres, splash zones and fittings far better than 304, which is why it is called marine grade stainless. It is not immune in warm, stagnant or heavily chloride-loaded seawater. For those conditions, tell us the duty and we will advise on the right grade.
Is SS 316 magnetic?
Annealed SS 316 is essentially non-magnetic. Cold drawn bar can show weak magnetism from cold work. The hardenable 400-series grades are the strongly magnetic ones.
Is SS 316L the same as 1.4404?
1.4404 (X2CrNiMo17-12-2) is the EN number for 316L and a close equivalent, not an identical one. 1.4401 (X5CrNiMo17-12-2) is the direct match for standard SS 316. We supply both; tell us which your drawing calls for.
What is the minimum order for SS 316 bars?
3 tonnes, flexible depending on grade, size and your situation. Send us your size, condition and quantity, with the form you need: round, bright, hex, square or forged bar or wire rod.
What is SS 316 / 316L equivalent to?
SS 316 / 316L is the same grade as AISI/SAE 316, UNS S31600, EN X5CrNiMo17-12-2, DIN W.Nr. 1.4401. Close equivalents are AISI/SAE 316L, UNS S31603, EN X2CrNiMo17-12-2, JIS SUS316L, KS STS316L, GB 022Cr17Ni12Mo2.
In which forms do you supply SS 316 / 316L?
OneKaizen supplies SS 316 / 316L as Round Bars, Bright Bars, Hex Bars, Square Bars, Forged Bars, Wire Rods, SS 300 Series, delivered across India and exported to buyers abroad.
Do you supply SS 316 / 316L with a mill test certificate?
Yes. Every lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing chemistry and mechanical properties, traceable to the heat number.
Data compiled by the OneKaizen metallurgy team from the standards named above. Updated 26 October 2026. Equivalents are nearest matches; confirm critical substitutions against the governing standard and mill certificate.