Material · Stainless Steels
Stainless Steel 316L
Marine and medical stainless: molybdenum chemistry that shrugs off chlorides and sterilization cycles.
Price index: $$$
Instant quote onlineMaterial properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485 MPa |
| Yield strength | 170 MPa |
| Hardness | ≤217 HB |
| Density | 7.98 g/cm³ |
Choose it when
Whenever chlorides are present (sea air counts), for medical devices, and for chemical service: where 304 pits, 316L endures. Electropolished 316L is the pharma reference surface.
Look elsewhere when
If the part lives indoors and dry, 304 performs identically for roughly 25–35% less. Work-hardening punishes very thin walls — design 1 mm walls instead of 0.5 mm where possible.
Compatible finishes
As-Machined
The baseline finish: straight off the machine, fastest and cheapest.
Passivation
Chemical hygiene for stainless: strips embedded iron so the steel can be as stainless as advertised.
Electropolishing
Reverse plating that brightens, deburrs and passivates stainless in one step.
Bead Blasting
The uniform matte look: erases tool marks, hides fingerprints, preps perfect anodizing.
Brushed Finish
The appliance-grade look: directional satin grain on panels, bezels and show faces.
Polishing
Progressive abrasives down to mirror: the finish for optics, molds and show surfaces.
Vibratory Tumbling
Batch deburring by the bowl-full: every edge broken, every burr gone, at volume prices.
Laser Marking
Permanent identification with zero dimensional change: serials, logos and codes burned in, not stuck on.
Typical applications
- Surgical instrument bodies and tips
- Marine fittings and underwater housings
- Chemical and pharma process components
- Semiconductor and vacuum hardware
Compared with similar grades
| Property | Stainless Steel 316L | Stainless Steel 303 | Stainless Steel 304 | Stainless Steel 17-4 PH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485 MPa | ~620 MPa (cold drawn) | 515 MPa | 1310 MPa (H900) |
| Yield strength | 170 MPa | ~415 MPa (cold drawn) | 205 MPa | 1170 MPa (H900) |
| Hardness | ≤217 HB | ≤228 HB | ≤201 HB | 40–44 HRC (H900) |
| Density | 7.98 g/cm³ | 8.00 g/cm³ | 8.00 g/cm³ | 7.75 g/cm³ |
| Price index | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Machinability | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
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