Inox Star Hardware has extensive experience in casting 316 stainless steel casts for a wide range of applications.
Our stainless steel castings can be found in marine products navigating the depths of the ocean, advanced aircraft soaring through the skies, and a plethora of diverse uses in between.
Stainless Steel 316
The 316 grade is the second most prevalent stainless steel casting material.
It has nearly the same physical and mechanical qualities as 304 stainless steel and a similar material composition. The main distinction is that 316 stainless steel contains around 2 to 3% molybdenum.
The addition improves corrosion resistance, especially in the presence of chlorides and other industrial solvents.
As a result, the cost of 316 stainless steel casting is slightly higher than that of 304 stainless steel casting.
Because of the Mo element, 316 stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance.
It is commonly used to produce corrosion-resistant parts that come into contact with seawater or corrosive chemical mediums, such as valve castings, chemical equipment, outdoor lamps, medical apparatus parts, naval hardware, thermal exchanger parts, pipes, and so on.
The equivalent grade of stainless steel 316 is CF8M in the United States or 1.4408 in Germany.
316 stainless steel is a well-known austenitic stainless steel alloy containing molybdenum. It is more resistant to corrosion from chloride and other acids than 304 stainless steel.
It makes the material more resistant to chemical corrosion and maritime settings. 316 stainless steel is excellent for stainless steel casting components, particularly those used in maritime applications.
Stainless steel 316L
Type 316L stainless steel austenitic with molybdenum. It resists general corrosion and pitting better than conventional nickel chromium stainless steels like 302-304.
316L stainless steel is a low carbon version of 316 stainless steel. The letter L represents “low.” As a result, it is simple to remember. The carbon content is the key distinction.
The carbon content is the primary distinction between 316 and 316L stainless steel. The maximum carbon content of 316 is 0.08%, while the maximum carbon content of 316L is merely 0.03%.
Shapes vary depending on the type of industrial application, such as wire, ribbon, strip, sheet, and foil sizes used in cookware, cutlery, hardware, surgical instruments, major appliances, industrial equipment, and building material in skyscrapers and large buildings.
For example, stainless steel cylinders and tanks made of 316 grade stainless steel have proven to be exceptionally resistant in acidic and hard water environments.
316 and 316L Stainless Steel Compostions list
| AISI 316 % | AISI 316L % | |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.08 max. | 0.03 max. |
| Mananese | 2.00 max. | 2.00 max. |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 max. | 0.045 max. |
| Sulfur | 0.030 max. | 0.03 max. |
| Silicon | 0.75 max. | 0.75 max. |
| Chromium | 16.00-18.00 | 16.00-18.00 |
| Nickel | 10.00-14.00 | 10.00-14.00 |
| Molybdenum | 2.00-3.00 | 2.00-3.00 |
| Nitrogen | 0.10 max. | 0.10 max. |
| Iron | Balance | Balance |
316 and 316L Mechanical & Thermal Properties(at 20 °C）
| AISI 316 % | AISI 316L % | |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8g/cm3 | 8g/cm3 |
| Elastic Modulus | 193GPa | 193GPa |
| Hardness | 215 Max HB | 215 Max HB |
| Tensile Strength | 500-700 MPa | 520-680 MPa |
| Yeild Strength | 200 MPa | 220 MPa |
| Coeffient of thermal expansion | 1.59x10⁵ 1/k | 1.59x10⁵ 1/k |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.3W/(mK) | 16.3W/(mK) |
| Melting Point | 1400°C | 1400°C |
316 vs. 316L Stainless Steel Characteristics
Both 316 and 316L stainless steel alloys are marine-grade steels, however, there are some significant distinctions between them. 316L has a reduced carbon content in its composition.
The carbon content of 316L stainless steel cannot exceed 0.03%. This reduces the possibility of carbon precipitation, making it a preferable choice for welding to provide optimal corrosion resistance.
316 stainless steel has between 2% and 3% molybdenum and has a mid-range carbon content, increasing resistance to corrosion, acidic elements, and high temperatures. Both materials are extremely malleable, which means they bend, stretch, deep draw, and spin nicely.
How to choose between 316 and 316l Stainless steel
When deciding whether to utilize 316 or 316L stainless steel for your application, keep the following variables in mind:
Resistance to Corrosion
For high corrosion and high-temperature applications, 316L is the preferred choice. Because 316L has less carbon than 316, it has more excellent intergranular corrosion resistance, which means that, unlike 316 stainless steel, its welds will not deteriorate.
Cost
Despite the fact that 316L contains less carbon, 316 and 316L stainless steels are around the same price.
Magnetic Characteristics
Magnetic fields have little effect on 316 stainless steel. Most stainless steel variants (including 316) are austenitic — or functionally nonmagnetic — as opposed to plain stainless steels, which are ferromagnetic.
However, some 316 stainless steel products can be subjected to cold forming and welding that change the austenitic crystal structure into ferromagnetic martensite. 316L steel is more prone to acquiring some degree of magnetism.
Features and advantages of 316 and 316L stainless steel casting
- Resistance to corrosion and pitting
- At high temperatures, it has a high creep strength, stress-to-rupture, and tensile strength.
- Rust, sodium, and calcium brine resistance
- Annealing, or heat treatment, can be done at temperatures ranging from 1,900 to 2,100°F (1,038 to 1,149°C).
- Austenitic
- Excellent shapeability.
Application of 316 (L)Stainless steel casting
316/316L Stainless Steel Casting is ideal for use in harsh environments, especially if exposure to salt, chlorides, or chlorinated solutions is an issue.
When deciding whether 316 316L stainless steel is the right choice for your project, consider both the process and the environmental factors.
The following industries and applications are common.
As per Industries, 316(L) stainless steel casting is often used in:
- Automotive
- Petrochemicals
- Paper and pulp
- Food Equipment
- Marine Environments
- Pharmaceuticals
- Surgical Equipment
- Plates
- Housings
- Aerospace Structures
- Oil & petroleum equipment
- Textile Equipment
- Laboratory benches equipment
As per products, 316(L) stainless steel casting is often used in:
- valve castings
- chemical equipment
- outdoor lamp
- medical apparatus part
- marine hardware
- thermal exchanger part
- pipe
- Etc.
Process of 316(L) Stainless Steel Casting
- The investment casting process has been around for hundreds of years and can be used to manufacture various shapes of 316 or 316L stainless steel castings. The procedure consists of several steps:
- Making a mold from a 3D file.
- Filling the mold with wax to create wax patterns, inspecting and modifying the patterns if any defects exist.
- Weld the wax patterns together to make an assembly.
- Forming a shell by dipping the wax into the ceramic slurry.
- To remove the wax, heat the ceramic shell.
- The molten shell pouring.
- Breaking off the shell and shot blasting or other surface finishing operations
Difference between 304 And 316(L) Stainless Steel casting
Casting 304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel contains between 16 and 24 percent chromium and up to 35 percent nickel.
Carbon and manganese are also found in trace amounts.
The most common form of stainless steel casting used worldwide is 304 stainless steel, specifically 18-8 stainless steel, or 18/8 stainless steel, which contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel (as the name implies).
304 stainless steel is an austenitic steel based on its molecular structure. Austenitic stainless steel castings offer a good combination of strength and workability over a wide temperature range, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
304 stainless steel castings are widely utilized in the food and beverage industries, particularly in beer brewing, milk processing, and wine production.
It is used in architectural designs, chemical containers, water filtration screens, and so on.
Note: 304 stainless steel castings may not be suitable for high-saline settings such as outside seashore sites or cold, icy places that are frequently exposed to de-icing agents.
Casting 316 Stainless Steel
Stainless steel castings composed of 316 stainless steel are the world’s second most popular.
The inclusion of molybdenum, which accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of the total composition and ensures a higher level of corrosion resistance, distinguishes it.
Other 300 class stainless steel castings can include up to 7% molybdenum.
It’s especially useful in situations with chlorides and/or other industrial chemicals, where 304 stainless steel castings fail.
In outdoor applications, 316 stainless steel castings are ideal for high moisture situations with regular salt exposure, such as glass spider fittings, glass spigots, and so on.
316 stainless steel castings, often known as “marine-grade” steel, are frequently used in the manufacture of nautical hardware.
In addition to the traditional applications of 304 stainless steel, it is used in laboratories, coastal construction, and marine fittings.
It’s also a good choice for manufacturing areas where corrosive chemical solvents are common.
Because of the high unreactivity of 316 stainless steel castings, which reduces the possibility of contamination, medical applications are also common.
Why choose Inox star hardware to work
Inox Star Hardware has extensive expertise casting 316 and 316L stainless steel for a wide range of applications, including marine hardware, boat fittings, exhaust manifolds, valve and pump parts, and so on.
As the leading stainless steel casting manufacturer in China, we can produce 316 and 316L stainless steel castings in a variety of sizes and shapes. In addition, we may supply additional machining and surface treatment services based on our customers’ specifications.
Please contact us if you have any questions about 316 or 316L stainless steel casting!
