Type 316L is an austenitic stainless steel contains 10-14% nickel, 16-18% chromium, 2-3% molybdenum, making it highly resistant to corrosion and staining.
The addition of nickel also enhances its ability to form and maintain an austenitic structure, which gives it good ductility and toughness. 316L stainless steel strip are commonly used in medical equipment, such as implants and instruments, due to its biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion from body fluids and tissues.
What is the hardness of annealed 316L?
The hardness of annealed 316L stainless steel strip usually measures on the Rockwell B scale, which is between 86 to 92 HRB. A hardness of 95 HRB is considered hard and is suitable for applications requiring high wear resistance and toughness.
316L annealed stainless steel strip are widely used in applications exposed to harsh environments, such as chemical processing, food and beverage production, and marine environments, as it is highly resistant to corrosion from these elements.
This hardness also makes it ideal for use in cutlery and medical instruments, as well as in the aerospace and automotive industries.
When 316L is in the annealed condition, it has low strength and high ductility. The tensile and yield strength decreased, but the elongation percentage increased.
The mechanical properties of annealed 316L are shown in the following table.
| Mechanical properties | Annealed 316L |
| Tensile strength Min MPa | 480 |
| Yield strength 0.2% Min MPa | 205 |
| Elongation | 40% |
| Rockwell Hardness HRB | 86-92 |
| Shear strength MPa | 370 |
| Fatigue Strength MPa | 170 |
Properties of 316L half hard stainless steel strip
The half hard tempered condition of 316L can be achieved through cold rolling according to the nature of work. 316L half hard stainless steel is known for its bright and smooth surface finish.
The given table shows the properties of a half hard 316L.
| Mechanical properties | Half hard 316L |
| Tensile strength Min MPa | 780 |
| Yield strength 0.2% Min MPa | 470 |
| Elongation | 6% |
| Vickers Hardness HV | 250-310 |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.28 |
| Shear Modulus GPa | 78 |
| Elastic Modulus GPa | 200 |
Physical properties
| Physical properties | Half Hard 316L |
| Density g/cm3 | 7.9 |
| Melting range °C | 1390-1440 |
| Modulus of elasticity in tension GPa | 200 |
Properties of 316L full hard stainless steel strip
The 316L full hard has several critical mechanical properties, including:
- Tensile strength: 1130 MPa Min.
- Yield strength: 880 MPa Min
- Elongation: 0%
- Hardness: 370-430 HV
The tensile strength of 316L full hard is a measure of its ability to withstand tension, and it is an essential property for many applications, especially those that require high strength and toughness.
The yield strength of 316L full hard measures the maximum stress the material can sustain without undergoing permanent deformation.
The full hard 316L stainless steel has excellent strength, toughness and corrosion resistance properties. This grade of stainless steel has more tensile and yield strength than other temper conditions.
The properties of 316L full hard stainless steel are shown in the following tables.
| Mechanical properties | Full hard 316L |
| Tensile strength Min MPa | 1130 |
| Yield strength 0.2% Min MPa | 880 |
| Elongation | 0% |
| Vickers Hardness HV | 370-430 |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.28 |
| Shear Modulus GPa | 78 |
| Elastic Modulus GPa | 200 |
What is the ASTM specification for 316L stainless steel strip?
The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specification for 316L stainless Steel is ASTM A240/A240M. This specification covers the standard requirements for Chromium, nickel, and molybdenum in the composition of 316L stainless steel.
Additionally, the specification covers the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, and the dimensions, tolerances, and form of 316L stainless steel products.
The ASTM A240/A240M specification is widely used in the stainless steel industry and provides a basis for the quality control and production of 316L stainless steel products.
Adherence to the ASTM A240/A240M specification is critical to ensure the consistent quality, performance, and reliability of 316L stainless steel products. It commonly uses as a reference in contracts and technical specifications for the supply and procurement of 316L stainless steel.
