Stainless Steel 316 Pipes: 316, 316L, 316H and 316Ti Supplier
Stainless steel 316 pipes are the usual upgrade when 304 starts to pit in salt, brine or chlorinated process fluids. The 2 to 3 percent molybdenum is what makes the difference, and it is why this pipe turns up in chemical plants, marine lines and pharmaceutical systems. It is made to ASTM A312 and ASME SA312 in four grades: 316, 316L, 316H and 316Ti. Metinox Overseas, a supplier and exporter based in Mumbai, offers all four as seamless, welded and EFW pipe. Seamless suits high pressure and small bore lines, welded suits general process piping, and EFW is used for large diameters. Not sure which grade or route your line needs? The sections below cover both.
Table of content
- 316 Stainless Steel Pipe Specifications
- Types of Stainless Steel 316 Pipes: Seamless, Welded and EFW
- 316 vs 316L vs 316H vs 316Ti Pipe: Which Grade Fits Your Line?
- Chemical Composition of 316 Stainless Steel Pipe – 316L, 316H & 316Ti
- 316- All Grade Stainless Steel Pipe Mechanical Properties
- Physical Properties: 316 vs 316L vs 316H vs 316Ti Stainless Steel
- 316 Stainless Steel Pipe Size and Weight Chart
- Where Are Stainless Steel 316 Pipes Used?
- Frequently Asked Questions
316 Stainless Steel Pipe Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Grades | TP316, TP316L, TP316H, TP316Ti |
| Seamless pipe standard | ASTM A312 / ASME SA312 |
| Welded (ERW) pipe standard | ASTM A312 / ASME SA312 |
| EFW pipe standard | ASTM A358 / ASME SA358 |
| Dimensional standard | ASME B36.19M |
| Seamless pipe size | 1/2 inch NB to 16 inch NB |
| ERW pipe size | 1/2 inch NB to 24 inch NB |
| EFW pipe size | 6 inch NB to 100 inch NB |
| Schedules | 5S, 10S, 40S, 80S, 160, XS, XXS |
| Length | Single random, double random or cut length; 5.8 m and 11.8 m for containers |
| Delivery condition | Solution annealed and pickled |
| Pipe ends | Plain end, bevelled end to ASME B16.25; threaded end for small bore |
| Surface finish | Annealed and pickled; polished on request |
| Dual certification | 316/316L on request, subject to material compliance |
Types of Stainless Steel 316 Pipes: Seamless, Welded and EFW
Seamless 316 pipe
Pierced from a solid billet, so there is no seam. It suits high pressure, cyclic loads and small bore lines. It costs more than welded pipe.
Welded 316 pipe
Formed from strip and seam welded, then solution annealed and pickled. It suits general process and utility lines at a lower price.
EFW 316 pipe
Rolled from plate and fusion welded. It is the route for large diameters beyond what seamless and ERW mills offer.
316 vs 316L vs 316H vs 316Ti Pipe: Which Grade Fits Your Line?
| Grade | Key Difference | Best for |
| 316 | The all-rounder. Carbon up to 0.08%, molybdenum 2 to 3% | Everyday chemical, marine and process lines |
| 316L | Very low carbon (0.035% max), so it keeps its corrosion resistance after welding | Wet, corrosive lines with a lot of joints |
| 316H | Carbon held between 0.04 and 0.10%, which gives better creep strength on long hot service | Lines running above roughly 525 °C |
| 316Ti | Titanium ties up the carbon, so the steel resists weld decay after long heat exposure | Hot lines that also see corrosive media |
Chemical Composition of 316 Stainless Steel Pipe – 316L, 316H & 316Ti
| Element | TP316 | TP316H | TP316L | TP316Ti |
| Carbon (C) | 0.08 max | 0.04–0.10 | 0.035 max | 0.08 max |
| Manganese (Mn) | 2.00 max | 2.00 max | 2.00 max | 2.00 max |
| Silicon (Si) | 1.00 max | 1.00 max | 1.00 max | 0.75 max |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.045 max | 0.045 max | 0.045 max | 0.045 max |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.030 max | 0.030 max | 0.030 max | 0.030 max |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0–18.0 | 16.0–18.0 | 16.0–18.0 | 16.0–18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 10.0–14.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 10.0–14.0 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.00–3.00 | 2.00–3.00 | 2.00–3.00 | 2.00–3.00 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.10 max | 0.10 max | 0.10 max | - |
| Titanium (Ti) | - | - | - | Stabilized with titanium |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance | Balance | 68.395 min |
316- All Grade Stainless Steel Pipe Mechanical Properties
| Property | TP316L | TP316 | TP316H | TP316Ti |
| Tensile Strength, min. | 485 MPa (70 ksi) | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%), min. | 170 MPa (25 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation | 35% longitudinal; | 35% longitudinal; | 35% as listed by manufacturer | 35% as listed by manufacturer |
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Physical Properties: 316 vs 316L vs 316H vs 316Ti Stainless Steel
| Property | 316, 316L and 316H | 316Ti |
| Density | 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³) | 7.98 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 1375 to 1400 °C | 1375 to 1400 °C |
| Elastic modulus | 193 GPa (28.0 x 10⁶ psi) | 193 GPa |
| Mean thermal expansion, 0 to 100 °C | 15.9 µm/m·°C | 16.5 µm/m·°C |
| Mean thermal expansion, 0 to 538 °C | 17.5 µm/m·°C | 18.5 µm/m·°C |
| Thermal conductivity at 100 °C | 16.3 W/m·K | 16.3 W/m·K |
| Thermal conductivity at 500 °C | 21.5 W/m·K | 21.5 W/m·K |
| Specific heat, 0 to 100 °C | 500 J/kg·K | 500 J/kg·K |
| Electrical resistivity | 0.74 µΩ·m | 0.74 µΩ·m |
| Oxidation in air | Continuous to about 925 °C, intermittent to about 870 °C | Same |
316 Stainless Steel Pipe Size and Weight Chart
Note: Weights are calculated at 7.98 g/cm³ and are indicative
| NPS | OD, mm | Sch 10S wall, mm | 10S, kg/m | Sch 40S wall, mm | 40S, kg/m | Sch 80S wall, mm | 80S, kg/m |
| 1/8 | 10.3 | 1.24 | 0.28 | 1.73 | 0.37 | 2.41 | 0.48 |
| 1/4 | 13.7 | 1.65 | 0.50 | 2.24 | 0.64 | 3.02 | 0.81 |
| 3/8 | 17.1 | 1.65 | 0.64 | 2.31 | 0.86 | 3.20 | 1.12 |
| 1/2 | 21.3 | 2.11 | 1.02 | 2.77 | 1.29 | 3.73 | 1.64 |
| 3/4 | 26.7 | 2.11 | 1.30 | 2.87 | 1.71 | 3.91 | 2.23 |
| 1 | 33.4 | 2.77 | 2.13 | 3.38 | 2.54 | 4.55 | 3.29 |
| 1 1/4 | 42.2 | 2.77 | 2.74 | 3.56 | 3.45 | 4.85 | 4.54 |
| 1 1/2 | 48.3 | 2.77 | 3.16 | 3.68 | 4.12 | 5.08 | 5.50 |
| 2 | 60.3 | 2.77 | 4.00 | 3.91 | 5.53 | 5.54 | 7.61 |
| 2 1/2 | 73.0 | 3.05 | 5.35 | 5.16 | 8.78 | 7.01 | 11.60 |
| 3 | 88.9 | 3.05 | 6.56 | 5.49 | 11.48 | 7.62 | 15.53 |
| 4 | 114.3 | 3.05 | 8.51 | 6.02 | 16.34 | 8.56 | 22.69 |
| 5 | 141.3 | 3.40 | 11.75 | 6.55 | 22.13 | 9.53 | 31.48 |
| 6 | 168.3 | 3.40 | 14.06 | 7.11 | 28.73 | 10.97 | 43.27 |
| 8 | 219.1 | 3.76 | 20.30 | 8.18 | 43.25 | 12.70 | 65.72 |
| 10 | 273.0 | 4.19 | 28.24 | 9.27 | 61.29 | 12.70 | 82.88 |
| 12 | 323.8 | 4.57 | 36.57 | 9.53 | 75.08 | 12.70 | 99.05 |
Where Are Stainless Steel 316 Pipes Used?
- Chemical and petrochemical plants: Acids, solvents, and chlorinated process pipelines. Most of it is covered by 316 and 316L types, and 316H type steel is used where the processes are very hot.
- Marine and offshore: utility and instrument lines exposed to salt air and spray (316, 316L).
- Pharmaceutical, food and beverage: purified water, process and clean in place lines (316L).
- Water treatment: brackish water, RO pretreatment and dosing lines (316L).
- Oil, gas and refining: process and utility lines. Heater outlets and hot process lines use 316H, and hot lines with corrosive media use 316Ti.
- Power generation: cooling water lines (316L), and boiler and steam headers (316H).
- Paper and pulp: bleach plant and white water service (316L), and digester and liquor lines (316Ti).
Frequently Asked Questions
For welded piping, 316L is better because its carbon is limited to 0.035%, which protects the welds from intergranular corrosion. 316 has slightly higher minimum strength. Dual certified 316/316L gives both, which is why it is the usual default.
ERW is formed from coil and covers the small and mid sizes. EFW is made from plate to ASTM A358 and is used where the diameter goes beyond the ERW range.
Seamless pipe is made from a solid billet with no seam, so it is chosen for high pressure and fatigue duty. Welded pipe is formed from strip or plate and costs less. For most general process lines, welded pipe does the job.
316Ti contains titanium of at least five times its carbon and nitrogen content, up to 0.70%. The titanium ties up carbon so chromium carbides do not form at grain boundaries after welding or long heat exposure. Strength and corrosion resistance are otherwise similar to 316.
It handles salt air and some intermittent seawater exposure, but warm or stagnant seawater can cause pitting and crevice corrosion. For continuous seawater service, duplex or higher alloy grades are normally specified.
Not for welded wet corrosive service. 316H has more carbon, so welds are more prone to sensitisation. It replaces 316 or 316L only where high temperature strength is the main need.
Often, but only with the engineer’s approval. Both resist weld decay, by different routes. 316Ti keeps that protection after long exposure at high temperature, which is why some European specifications insist on it.
16 gauge is 1.65 mm (0.065 in) on the BWG scale and 1.63 mm on the SWG scale. In pipe sizes, 1.65 mm matches schedule 5S from NPS 1/2 to 2.
Send the grade, standard, OD, wall or gauge, length, quantity, end finish, certification, inspection, destination port and required date. Add the design temperature and your material specification if you have them.
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