Stainless Steel 316LVM · supply condition
Stainless Steel 316LVM Full Hard
Properties of the Full Hard condition, compared with the other 316LVM tempers.
For springs, needle tubing and stiff wire where high strength outranks ductility.
What is 316LVM Full Hard?
316LVM Full Hard is 316LVM supplied in the Full Hard condition — for springs, needle tubing and stiff wire where high strength outranks ductility. 316LVM Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 316LVM Full Hard has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Full Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 1,100 MPa (160 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
316LVM Full Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316LVM Full Hard — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 316LVM temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
316LVM Full Hard has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical16
316LVM Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
316LVM Full 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
316LVM Full Hard conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 74% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316LVM Full Hard takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 5.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
316LVM Full Hard's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 316LVM tempers and conditions
316LVM is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 316LVM overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for machining, forming, forging or subsequent cold drawing.290 MPa yield · 150 HB
- Full HardFor springs, needle tubing and stiff wire where high strength outranks ductility.1,100 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- Cold WorkedChoose when higher strength is needed for bone screws, plates, pins and cannulae; ductility and magnetic neutrality are reduced.760 MPa yield · 30 HRC
Working with 316LVM Full Hard
Is 316LVM easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316LVM be welded?
Readily GTAW/laser/resistance welded without pre- or post-heat; use 316L/ER316LSi filler or autogenous laser welds, keep heat input low and back-purge with argon.
Can 316LVM be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability and deep-drawability but high work-hardening rate; interstage solution anneal at 1050 °C with rapid quench for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 316LVM?
Cannot be anodised; specify passivation (ASTM A967) or electropolishing for implant-grade surfaces, and mechanical/mirror polishing benefits from the inclusion-free vacuum melt.
316LVM 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cultra-low carbon | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Svery low S from vacuum melting | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 17.8 |
| Ni | 13 – 15 | 14 |
| Mo | 2.25 – 3 | 2.7 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
316LVM Full Hard — frequently asked
What is 316LVM Full Hard used for?
316LVM Full Hard is typically used for hip implants, surgical pins, bone screws and plates, hypodermic needle and cannula tubing, guidewires and springs and electrode and suture wire. In short: vacuum-melted medical 316.
What is the yield strength of 316LVM Full Hard?
316LVM Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 316LVM Full Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316LVM Full Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/laser/resistance welded without pre- or post-heat; use 316L/ER316LSi filler or autogenous laser welds, keep heat input low and back-purge with argon.
What surface finishes work on 316LVM Full Hard?
Cannot be anodised; specify passivation (ASTM A967) or electropolishing for implant-grade surfaces, and mechanical/mirror polishing benefits from the inclusion-free vacuum melt.
Can 316LVM Full Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability and deep-drawability but high work-hardening rate; interstage solution anneal at 1050 °C with rapid quench for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316LVM Full Hard?
316LVM Full 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 316LVM Full Hard?
Yes — 316LVM Full Hard is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM F138 — Wrought 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo Stainless Steel Bar and Wire for Surgical Implants (UNS S31673) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM F139 — Wrought 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip for Surgical Implants — ASTM International (2019)
- ISO 5832-1 — Implants for surgery, metallic materials, Part 1: Wrought stainless steel — ISO (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Medical-grade 316LVM bar and wire datasheets (Sandvik / Carpenter / Fort Wayne Metals) — various producers (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.