316L Stainless Steel Sheet

Designed for use in tanks, supports and frames, enclosures, housings, engine, machinery components, and marine applications.

Description

The 316L stainless steel sheet is a widely used metal because of its resistance to corrosion and austenitic characteristic. This grade of steel has been alloyed with molybdenum, nickel and chromium at high levels, making it stronger than 304 grade steels. It is also more resistant to corrosion caused by high heat, chlorides and warm sea water. Because of this, it is widely used in marine and chemical applications, which include pollution equipment control, lab equipment, boat fitting, boat valves and textile and pharmaceutical equipment. This grade of metal can be welded, cold worked and forged. Heat working can’t be used to make it hardened.

316L stainless steel sheets can be welded using standard fusion welding methods. This can be performed either with or without filler metals. No post-annealing is needed after welding. Heat treatment can be used at temperatures that are between 1900 and 2100 degrees F. Pay close attention not to warp or distort the sheet of metal.

Forging is another process that is frequently used with the 316L sheets of steel, which can be done at temperatures between 2100 and 2300 degrees F. It’s not recommended to use forging temperatures below 1700 degrees F. Annealing should be done after forging, so to keep a corrosion resistance at its max.

316L steels have excellent ductility and toughness, which is why it can be cold worked. Methods like deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading, swaging and bending can all be used. When areas are severely cold formed, it’s important to have them annealed to have stresses removed. The machinability of this product is good, but not as great as 304 stainless steels.