316 Stainless Steel Tubing
Shaw Stainless & Alloy stocks an extensive inventory of 316 and 316L stainless steel tubing in seamless and welded construction. The addition of molybdenum in 316 stainless steel provides superior resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments, making it the preferred tubing grade for marine, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage applications.
Complete our Contact Form or call (800) 282-9694 to speak with a Shaw Stainless representative about your 316 stainless steel tubing requirements.
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About 316 Stainless Steel Tubing
316 stainless steel tubing is the preferred choice for applications requiring superior corrosion resistance, particularly in environments exposed to chlorides, marine conditions, and chemical processing. What sets 316 apart from 304 stainless steel tubing is the addition of 2–3% molybdenum, which provides significantly better resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and chloride stress corrosion cracking.
316 Stainless Steel Tubing Specifications
Shaw Stainless stocks 316 and 316L stainless steel tubing conforming to the following ASTM standards:
- ASTM A213 — Seamless ferritic and austenitic alloy steel boiler, superheater, and heat-exchanger tubes
- ASTM A269 — Seamless and welded austenitic stainless steel tubing for general service
- ASTM A270 — Seamless and welded austenitic stainless steel sanitary tubing
- ASTM A511 — Seamless stainless steel mechanical tubing
- ASTM A554 — Welded stainless steel mechanical tubing
316 stainless steel tube is available in annealed and pickled as well as bright annealed finish. We carry a wide range of outside diameters and wall thicknesses, and can custom cut, polish, and process to your exact specifications.
316 Stainless Steel Chemical Composition
| Grade | UNS | C (max) | Cr | Ni | Mo | Mn (max) | Si (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | S31600 | 0.08% | 16–18% | 10–14% | 2–3% | 2.00% | 0.75% |
| 316L | S31603 | 0.03% | 16–18% | 10–14% | 2–3% | 2.00% | 0.75% |
316 Stainless Steel Tubing Mechanical Properties
| Property | 316 | 316L |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (min) | 75,000 PSI (515 MPa) | 70,000 PSI (485 MPa) |
| Yield Strength (min) | 30,000 PSI (205 MPa) | 25,000 PSI (170 MPa) |
| Elongation (min, 2 in.) | 40% | 40% |
| Hardness (max, Rockwell B) | 95 HRB | 95 HRB |
| Melting Range | 2500–2550°F (1370–1400°C) | |
| Density | 0.29 lb/in³ (8.0 g/cm³) | |
Seamless vs. Welded 316 Stainless Steel Tubing
Seamless 316 stainless steel tube is produced by piercing a solid billet, resulting in a tube with no weld seam. This provides uniform grain structure, higher pressure ratings, and better corrosion resistance at the tube wall — critical for high-pressure, high-temperature, and high-purity applications including heat exchangers, boiler tubes, and instrumentation lines.
Welded 316 stainless steel tube is formed from flat strip and welded longitudinally. Modern welding and annealing processes produce a weld seam that approaches the strength and corrosion resistance of the base metal. Welded tube offers tighter dimensional tolerances, better surface finish, and lower cost than seamless — making it the standard choice for general service, structural, and mechanical applications.
316 vs. 316L Stainless Steel Tubing
316L is the low-carbon version of 316, with a maximum carbon content of 0.03% compared to 0.08% for standard 316. The lower carbon content in 316L minimizes the risk of carbide precipitation (sensitization) in the heat-affected zone during welding. Sensitization can lead to intergranular corrosion along weld lines in service. For welded tubing assemblies that will be exposed to corrosive environments, 316L is the preferred choice. For non-welded applications, 316 and 316L tubing are functionally interchangeable. Shaw Stainless carries both grades.
Common Applications for 316 Stainless Steel Tubing
The molybdenum content in 316 makes it the tubing material of choice for demanding environments:
- Marine & Offshore: Seawater handling systems, offshore platform hydraulic and instrumentation lines, desalination equipment, and boat building
- Chemical & Petrochemical: Process tubing, heat exchangers, condensers, and reactor tubes handling chlorides, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, and organic compounds
- Food & Beverage: Dairy processing lines, brewery systems, juice and beverage transfer tubing, and CIP (clean-in-place) systems built with 316L sanitary tube and sanitary clamp fittings
- Pharmaceutical & Biotech: High-purity process tubing, WFI (water for injection) systems, and clean steam lines requiring electropolished surfaces
- Medical: Surgical instruments, implant components, and hypodermic needles
- Heat Transfer: Shell-and-tube heat exchangers, condensers, evaporators, and boiler tubing where exposure to chlorides or high temperatures is expected
- Architectural: Exterior handrails, structural tubing, and ornamental tubing in coastal and high-pollution environments
316 vs. 304 Stainless Steel Tubing
The primary difference is the molybdenum in 316, which provides substantially better pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride-containing environments. If your application involves marine exposure, saltwater, chlorinated cleaners, or aggressive chemicals, 316 tubing is the right choice. For general-purpose applications without significant chloride exposure — HVAC, compressed air, freshwater, indoor architectural — 304 stainless steel tubing provides equivalent performance at a lower cost. Not sure which grade you need? Contact us — our team can help you select the right grade for your application.
In addition to stocking 316 stainless steel tubing, Shaw Stainless offers value-added services including custom cutting, polishing, tube bending, tube laser cutting, and electropolishing & passivation. Browse our complete line of 316 stainless steel products including pipe, flanges, fittings, and valves.
Contact us today and speak to one of our representatives about your 316 stainless steel tubing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions: 316 Stainless Steel Tubing
What is the difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel tubing?
316L is the low-carbon version of 316 stainless steel, with a maximum carbon content of 0.03% versus 0.08% for standard 316. The lower carbon in 316L prevents carbide precipitation (sensitization) during welding, which protects against intergranular corrosion at weld joints. For welded tubing assemblies in corrosive environments, 316L is the preferred choice. In non-welded applications, 316 and 316L are functionally interchangeable. Shaw Stainless stocks both grades.
What ASTM specifications cover 316 stainless steel tubing?
316 stainless steel tubing is covered by several ASTM specifications depending on the application: ASTM A213 (seamless boiler and heat exchanger tubes), ASTM A269 (seamless and welded tubing for general service), ASTM A270 (sanitary tubing for food, dairy, and pharmaceutical use), ASTM A511 (seamless mechanical tubing), and ASTM A554 (welded mechanical tubing).
Is 316 stainless steel tubing suitable for marine and saltwater applications?
Yes. 316 stainless steel contains 2–3% molybdenum, which provides significantly better resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion from chlorides compared to 304 stainless steel. This makes 316 the standard grade for marine hardware, offshore platforms, seawater handling systems, and coastal architectural applications. For fully submerged or severe marine service, higher-alloy grades such as 2205 duplex may be required.
When should I use 316 tubing instead of 304 tubing?
Choose 316 tubing when your application involves exposure to chlorides, marine environments, saltwater, chlorinated cleaning agents, or aggressive chemicals such as sulfuric acid or acetic acid. 316 is also the preferred grade for pharmaceutical, biotech, and food processing applications requiring frequent chemical washdown. For general-purpose applications without significant chloride or chemical exposure — HVAC, compressed air, freshwater systems, indoor architectural — 304 stainless steel tubing provides equivalent performance at a lower cost.
Should I choose seamless or welded 316 stainless steel tubing?
Seamless tubing has no weld seam, providing uniform grain structure, higher pressure ratings, and maximum corrosion resistance. It is the preferred choice for high-pressure service, heat exchangers, boiler tubes, and critical instrumentation lines. Welded tubing offers tighter dimensional tolerances, better surface finish, and lower cost. For general service, structural, mechanical, and sanitary applications, welded tube is the standard choice.
What is the maximum service temperature for 316 stainless steel tubing?
316 stainless steel tubing can be used in continuous service up to 1600°F (870°C) and in intermittent service up to 1700°F (925°C). It also retains excellent toughness at cryogenic temperatures, making it suitable for both high-heat and low-temperature applications. Prolonged use between 800–1500°F (425–815°C) should be avoided in corrosive environments due to the risk of sensitization in standard 316; use 316L for service in this range.
Does Shaw Stainless offer custom cutting and fabrication for 316 tubing?
Yes. Shaw Stainless provides custom cut-to-length service on all 316 and 316L stainless steel tubing. We also offer polishing, tube bending, tube laser cutting, and electropolishing & passivation. Contact us or call (800) 282-9694 to discuss your requirements.