Materials

316 Stainless Steel

Overview

Grade 316 stainless steel is a dependable and versatile material used across various industries. It is part of the austenitic stainless steel family and contains chromium, nickel and molybdenum, which give it greater corrosion resistance compared with 304 stainless steel.

Because of this, 316 stainless steel material is often chosen for environments where salt, chemicals or high moisture are present. It is also straightforward to form, machine and weld, making it practical for engineers who need both performance and ease of fabrication.

At Kormax, we supply 316 stainless steel in standard forms such as round bar and sheet, with custom sizes available on request. Every delivery is backed by batch certification and ISO-accredited quality systems.

316 stainless steel suppliers recommend this grade where safety, hygiene and durability cannot be compromised. Typical applications include:

Common Applications

Marine fittings and components
Pharmaceutical and chemical processing systems
Food and beverage manufacturing equipment
Medical instruments and surgical devices
Architectural and coastal structures
Heat exchangers and tanks

Key Features

Outstanding corrosion resistance in chloride-rich and acidic environments
Excellent strength and durability under high pressure and heat
Good formability, machinability, and weldability
Maintains mechanical integrity at temperatures up to ~800 °C
Non-magnetic in annealed condition; slightly magnetic when cold worked

Material Profile

When evaluating engineered materials solutions, understanding the main properties of 316 stainless steel material helps ensure the right fit for the job. This grade balances strength, corrosion resistance and stability at high temperatures.

Stainless Steel 2205

Density: 8.0 g/cm³

Stainless Steel 2205

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa

Stainless Steel 2205

Melting Point: 1375–1400 °C

Stainless Steel 2205

Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C): ~16.0 µm/m°C

Chemical Composition

The corrosion resistance of grade 316 stainless steel comes from its alloy content. The addition of molybdenum helps it stand up to saltwater and acidic environments better than other stainless steel grades, such as 304.

(Typical Composition %)

Element Symbol Value
Carbon C ≤0.08
Silicon Si ≤1.0
Manganese Mn ≤2.0
Phosphorus P ≤0.045
Sulfur S ≤0.03
Chromium Cr 16–18
Nickel Ni 10–14
Molybdenum Mo 2–3

Mechanical Properties

Engineers rely on 316 stainless steel material for its strength. Its performance under load makes it suitable for pressure systems, fabrication work, and metal casting environments.

Property Value
Tensile Strength ≥ 515 MPa
Yield Strength ≥ 205 MPa
Elongation ≥ 40% (A50mm)
Hardness ≤ 217 HB

Tolerances Chart

When working with 316 Stainless Steel, dimensional accuracy is important. Kormax products are manufactured to ASTM A276 / A479 with ISO H-tolerances, the same rigorous approach we apply across our casting alloys and other engineered metals.

Diameter (mm) Range Tolerance Class Tolerance (mm)
Up to 19.05 H9 +0 / -0.036
20 and above H11 +0 / -0.090 to -0.18 depending on size

Manufactured to ASTM A276 / A479 with ISO H-tolerances.

Sizes & Availability

Kormax supplies 316 stainless steel round bar in a wide range of diameters. For projects requiring non-standard sizes, we can provide sourcing support alongside our metal casting services. This ensures engineers receive the material they need without delays.

Standard sizes available on request.

Round Bars

Diameter (mm) KG per Metre Tolerance Length (m)
5.00 0.16 H9 3
6.00 0.23 H9 3
6.35 0.26 H9 3
7.94 0.40 H9 3
8.00 0.40 H9 3
9.53 0.57 H9 3
10.00 0.63 H9 3
12.70 1.01 H9 3
15.88 1.59 H9 3
16.00 1.61 H9 3
19.05 2.27 H9 3
20.00 2.5 H9 3
22.23 3.07 H9 3
25.40 4.04 H11 3
28.58 5.08 H9 3
30.00 5.61 H9 3
31.75 6.32 H11 3
35.00 7.62 H9 3
38.10 9.10 H11 3
44.45 12.38 H11 3
45.00 12.6 H9 3
50.80 16.17 H11 3
57.15 20.35 H9 3
63.50 25.27 H11 3
76.20 36.39 H11 3
80.00 39.81 H9 3
88.90 49.16 H9 3
100.00 62.2 H11 3
101.60 64.70 H11 3
114.30 81.27 H11 3
127.00 100.33 H11 3
152.40 145.57 H11 3
203.20 256.84 H11 3
254.00 401.31 H11 3

* Custom grades and sizes available by request.

Explore More Stainless Steel Grades

Looking for an alternative? Explore our broader range of stainless steel materials, including:

Kormax is your reliable stainless steel supplier, helping engineers source the right materials for lasting performance.

Resources

Data Sheet

Stainless Steel 316

Blog

A Guide to the Grades of Aluminium: Choosing the Right Alloy

Resource

Engineering Metal Bar Manufacturing Methods

PDF (298 KB)

Metal Castings & Engineering Materials pdf cover preview

Download Our Catalogue Here

For our full range of products and services, choose the relevant catalogue.

Stainless Steel 2205, Telarc registered Quality ISO 9001
Stainless Steel 2205, Telarc registered environment ISO 14001
Telarc registered H&S ISO 45001

Quality Management

Quality materials, delivered to standard.

Kormax is ISO certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
All Kormax products come with batch certifications.

Why Choose Kormax for 316 Stainless Steel

As a fourth-generation family-owned business, Kormax brings over 75 years of foundry and engineering metals experience to your project.

We operate in various sectors worldwide, utilising our leading engineering, manufacturing and global distribution capabilities to offer world-class solutions for engineers.

Expert Advice

Trusted advice on metal and profile selection for your application, backed by our engineered materials solutions.

Unique Range

Unique range of quality products, in industry-specific profiles and sizes, including casting alloys.

Engineered Materials Solutions

Top-tier Foundries

Global top-tier supply network with the ability to source specific sizes and metals through trusted stainless steel supplier partnerships.

Supply Security

Custom supply options and to enhance your supply continuity for anyone working with critical materials such as 316 stainless steel.

Quality Management

ISO Certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14401 and ISO 45501 ensures quality systems are in place, with batch traceability across all stainless steel grades.

Competitive Pricing

With a wide supplier network, Kormax can balance quality and value, supporting long-term partnerships with 316 stainless steel suppliers worldwide.