Stainless Steel 316L · supply condition
Stainless Steel 316L-1/4 Hard
Properties of the 1/4 Hard condition, compared with the other 316L tempers.
Light-temper strip/sheet where moderate strength plus some bending ability is needed (clamps, brackets, springs with large radii).
What is 316L-1/4 Hard?
316L-1/4 Hard is 316L supplied in the 1/4 Hard condition — light-temper strip/sheet where moderate strength plus some bending ability is needed (clamps, brackets, springs with large radii). 316L-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 316L-1/4 Hard has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 560 MPa (81.2 ksi), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
316L-1/4 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316L-1/4 Hard — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 316L temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
316L-1/4 Hard has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F).
Mechanical16
316L-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
316L-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316L-1/4 Hard conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316L-1/4 Hard takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
316L-1/4 Hard's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 316L tempers and conditions
316L is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 316L overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultDefault stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, tube and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance, ductility and toughness.290 MPa yield · 150 HB
- Full HardMaximum cold-worked strength for springs, blades and shims; essentially no cold forming possible.1,000 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- 1/2 HardHigh-strength strip for flat springs, shims and formed parts with generous bend radii.790 MPa yield · 32 HRC
- 1/4 HardLight-temper strip/sheet where moderate strength plus some bending ability is needed (clamps, brackets, springs with large radii).560 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- As PrintedAs-built L-PBF 316L: fine cellular solidification structure gives much higher yield strength than wrought annealed material, with anisotropy and residual stress.510 MPa yield · 92 HRB
- Cold DrawnStandard condition for cold-finished bar and wire: tighter tolerances, bright finish and roughly 60 % higher yield strength than annealed.500 MPa yield · 215 HB
- Cold RolledChoose when higher yield strength and springiness are needed in sheet or strip and full annealed ductility is not required.480 MPa yield · 210 HB
- Stress RelievedUsed to cut residual stress in welded, machined or L-PBF parts while keeping most of the cold-worked / as-built strength.460 MPa yield · 90 HRB
- AnnealedCommercial mill-annealed strip, wire and thin sheet; mechanically equivalent to solution annealed for this austenitic grade.280 MPa yield · 150 HB
- HIPCloses AM/PM porosity and fully recrystallises the structure: lowest strength but best ductility, toughness and fatigue consistency — used for pressure-containing and fatigue-critical AM parts.260 MPa yield · 150 HB
- As SinteredBinder-jet or bound-metal-deposition 316L after debind and sinter: near-wrought annealed properties but 1–4 % residual porosity lowers strength, ductility and fatigue life.200 MPa yield · 68 HRB
Working with 316L-1/4 Hard
Is 316L easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, constant feed and surface speeds ~30 % below carbon steel; avoid dwelling to prevent a hardened skin.
Can 316L be welded?
Very good with GTAW/GMAW/laser/resistance using ER316L or 316LSi filler, argon backing and no preheat; low carbon means no post-weld anneal is needed, keep interpass temperature low to limit distortion and sigma phase.
Can 316L be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and bending thanks to a high n-value, but expect ~2× the press force of mild steel, high springback and heavy work hardening — plan intermediate anneals for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 316L?
Pickle/passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for hygienic and semiconductor service; takes No.4 through mirror No.8 mechanical polish, bead blast and PVD coatings — not anodizable.
316L chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C0.035 max for some tube/pipe products | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si1.00 max in EN 10088 (1.4404) | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S0.015 max in EN 1.4404 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 10 – 14 | 12 |
| Mokey addition for chloride pitting resistance | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
316L-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
What is 316L-1/4 Hard used for?
316L-1/4 Hard is typically used for welded marine structures and hardware, pump and valve bodies for seawater, medical device enclosures and instruments, food and pharmaceutical process piping, heat exchanger plates and tube fittings and chemical storage tank fittings. In short: weldable marine grade.
What is the yield strength of 316L-1/4 Hard?
316L-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 316L-1/4 Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, constant feed and surface speeds ~30 % below carbon steel; avoid dwelling to prevent a hardened skin.
Can 316L-1/4 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Very good with GTAW/GMAW/laser/resistance using ER316L or 316LSi filler, argon backing and no preheat; low carbon means no post-weld anneal is needed, keep interpass temperature low to limit distortion and sigma phase.
What surface finishes work on 316L-1/4 Hard?
Pickle/passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for hygienic and semiconductor service; takes No.4 through mirror No.8 mechanical polish, bead blast and PVD coatings — not anodizable.
Can 316L-1/4 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and bending thanks to a high n-value, but expect ~2× the press force of mild steel, high springback and heavy work hardening — plan intermediate anneals for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316L-1/4 Hard?
316L-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 316L Solution Annealed and 316L-HIP?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, tube and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance, ductility and toughness. HIP: closes AM/PM porosity and fully recrystallises the structure: lowest strength but best ductility, toughness and fatigue consistency — used for pressure-containing and fatigue-critical AM parts. Yield strength is 290 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 260 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in 316L-1/4 Hard?
Yes — 316L-1/4 Hard is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — chromium-nickel stainless plate, sheet and strip — ASTM (2023)
- ASTM A276/A479 — stainless bars and shapes — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A666 — annealed and cold-worked austenitic stainless sheet, strip, plate and flat bar — ASTM (2015)
- EN 10088-2 / -3 (X2CrNiMo17-12-2, 1.4404) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 / GB/T 3280 (022Cr17Ni12Mo2) — SAC (2015)
- JIS G4304/G4305 (SUS316L) — JISC (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B / Vol.19 — Corrosion and Fatigue — ASM International (2005)
- Outokumpu Steel Grade 4404/316L datasheet & Corrosion Handbook — Outokumpu (2023)
- Sandvik/Alleima Sanicro & 316L tube data — Alleima (2023)
- EOS StainlessSteel 316L / Markforged 316L material datasheets — EOS GmbH; Markforged (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.