Stainless Steel 316 Pipe is used extensively in the chemical processing, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, marine, oil and gas, automotive, aerospace industries because of its superior resistance to corrosion. It is also considered Surgical Grade Stainless as it resists the buildup of bacteria due to Pitting which occurs when a corrosive substance (such as salt water) attacks Steel and dissolves parts of it. This is because 316 has a higher Molybdenum content (2%) than 304 which helps prevent this from happening.

Like all grades of Stainless Steel, it has high tensile strength and can be welded, molded, formed, and polished. It can handle a wide range of temperatures and corrosive chemicals and is very resistant to salt, chlorine, and acids. It’s a favorite with Xometry customers because of its versatility, durability, and cost effectiveness.

Grade 316L, a variant of 316 stainless steel, has an extra low carbon content. This protects it from oxidation at higher temperatures and from carbon precipitation that can occur in welds. It’s a good choice for hot, warm, and marine environments.

Stainless Steel 316 Pipe Explained: Features, Applications, and Corrosion Resistance

Stainless Steel 316 can be heat treated to improve its machinability. The process involves applying pressure and heat to the metal to make it softer so that it will work easier. This also makes it stronger. It can be heat treated in a variety of ways, including tempering, quenching, normalizing, and solution annealing. We use these processes to complete a machining cycle, relieve stress created during production, or to correct features of a product.