What is 316 Stainless Steel Used For?

Stainless steel is typically suitable for different industries; however, SS316 is completely unique as it is a highly corrosion-resistant type of stainless steel grade. While other grades of stainless steel have the same percentage of iron and carbon, SS316 provides excellent corrosion resistance and comes with other superior characteristics. This is the reason why this stainless steel is an ideal product for saline and harsh chemical environments.

316 Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

SS316 belongs to the category of austenitic steel, which comprises manganese-chromium-nickel-nitrogen alloy, specialty alloy, and chromium-nickel alloy. This stainless steel grade is mainly used in chemical plants, power plants, and food processing industries. You can easily distinguish this stainless steel grade from other types of steel because of its high corrosion resistance, and because it is a handy alloy. The chemical composition of 316 stainless steel is as follows.

Cr 17.00

S 0.030

C 0.080

Ni 12.00

P 0.045

Mn 2.00

Mo 2.50

Fe Balance

Corrosion Resistance

When chemical attacks deteriorate the component's outer surface, corrosion tends to occur. In this case, contaminants start entering the interior regions of the component. 316 stainless steel grade contains 2% molybdenum which gives it a great corrosion-resistant nature compared to other stainless steel grades.

Fabrication Ease

316 stainless steel, an austenitic stainless steel grade, has excellent fabrication characteristics. This is the reason why it is suitable to manufacture stainless steel parts like sinks.

Heat Resistance

316 stainless steel has amazing oxidation resistance both in intermittent and continuous service. It can withstand 925 degrees Celsius and 370 degree Celsius in both cases.

Application of 316 Stainless Steel

The proprietor or manager who has to deal with industrial components all require stainless steel for marine or coastal applications, which are more exposed to harsh and corrosive chemicals and require 316 stainless steel grade to manufacture steel components and equipment. 316 alloy provides great performance in coastal and marine areas. It is chloride resistant. Therefore, it is used in cold climates and areas with solid deposits. Stainless steel grade can withstand harsh and corrosive chemicals like acetic and sulfuric acid. On the basis of their properties, they are used in the following top industries

Condensers and evaporators

Structures in marine or coastal areas

Paper machinery

Laboratory equipment

Food processing equipment

Pharmaceutical industries

Benefits and Uses of Type 316 Steel

Several stainless steel grades are available in the market today, and each comes with specific structural, consumer, or chemical applications. If your industrial application involves laboratory equipment, coastal buildings, or food processing components, then you will require 316 stainless steel. 316 stainless steel is highly durable, easy to clean, weld, fabricate and finish. This stainless steel grade is resistant to chlorides, bromide, fatty acids, sulfuric acids, chlorides, and iodides at extreme temperatures. Type 316 steel is used in the construction of furnace parts, exhaust manifolds, jet engine components, heat exchangers, chemical processing equipment, evaporators, valve and pump components, photographic equipment, textile processing equipment, paper processing equipment, and marine environment. As it is highly resistant to corrosion, therefore this stainless steel type is used for various industrial and commercial applications apart from high chloride environments. It is used mostly in the marine sector since its stainless steel grade is corrosion resistant and is suitable for harsh marine environments and conditions.