Stainless Steel 317L · heat-treated state · default condition
Stainless Steel 317L Solution Annealed
Properties of the Solution Annealed condition, compared with the other 317L tempers.
Standard supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and bar — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility.
What is 317L Solution Annealed?
317L Solution Annealed is 317L heat treated to Solution Annealed — standard supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and bar — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. 317L Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 80% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 317L Solution Annealed 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).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 80/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 265 MPa (38.4 ksi), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
317L Solution Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 317L Solution Annealed — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 317L temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
317L Solution Annealed 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).
Mechanical15
317L Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 80% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
317L Solution Annealed is rated for continuous service to 870°C (1,598 °F). It conducts heat at 14.2 W/m·K (8.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
317L Solution Annealed conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 88% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 317L Solution Annealed takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
317L Solution Annealed's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (82/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 317L tempers and conditions
317L is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 317L overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultStandard supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and bar — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility.265 MPa yield · 155 HB
- Cold DrawnChoose for close-tolerance bar and higher yield strength in machined fittings and shafts.450 MPa yield · 210 HB
- AnnealedGeneric annealed stock condition; mechanically equivalent to solution annealed for this L-grade.260 MPa yield · 150 HB
Working with 317L Solution Annealed
Is 317L easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, no dwell, and flood coolant; roughly 45 % of AISI 1212 speeds.
Can 317L be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 317L or overmatched 317L/Mo-rich filler; keep interpass below ~150 °C, no preheat and no PWHT required, back-purge for full corrosion resistance.
Can 317L be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable and readily roll-formed, but springback and press loads are higher than carbon steel; anneal between severe cold-forming steps.
What surface finishes work on 317L?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after fabrication to restore the passive film; not anodizable, takes mechanical No.4 or mirror No.8 finishes well.
317L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon for weld sensitization resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 18.5 |
| Ni | 11 – 15 | 13 |
| Mo | 3 – 4 | 3.4 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
317L Solution Annealed — frequently asked
What is 317L Solution Annealed used for?
317L Solution Annealed is typically used for welded bleaching tanks and washers, FGD scrubber vessels and spray headers, chemical and pharmaceutical process piping, heat exchanger tube bundles, seawater and brine handling equipment and acid storage tanks. In short: pitting-resistant low-carbon stainless.
What is the yield strength of 317L Solution Annealed?
317L Solution Annealed has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 80% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 317L Solution Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, no dwell, and flood coolant; roughly 45 % of AISI 1212 speeds.
Can 317L Solution Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 317L or overmatched 317L/Mo-rich filler; keep interpass below ~150 °C, no preheat and no PWHT required, back-purge for full corrosion resistance.
What surface finishes work on 317L Solution Annealed?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after fabrication to restore the passive film; not anodizable, takes mechanical No.4 or mirror No.8 finishes well.
Can 317L Solution Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable and readily roll-formed, but springback and press loads are higher than carbon steel; anneal between severe cold-forming steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of 317L Solution Annealed?
317L Solution Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 870°C (1,598 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 317L Solution Annealed?
Yes — 317L Solution Annealed 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 A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A312/A312M — Seamless, Welded and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- EN 10088-2 (1.4438 / X2CrNiMo18-15-4) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G 4304 / G 4305 (SUS317L) — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 4237 / GB/T 3280 (022Cr19Ni13Mo3) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu / Sandvik austenitic stainless steel datasheets (4438 / 317L) — Outokumpu, Alleima (2023)
- SMM / Mysteel — SMM / Mysteel (2025)
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.