General Characteristics
316L/4432 has high resistance to non-oxidizing acids and chloride-containing media due to its higher molybdenum content. 316L/4432 has good formability and weldability.
316L/4432 is an austenitic stainless steel that belongs to the standard CrNiMo stainless steel family. It has low carbon content for improved resistance against intergranular corrosion after welding and increased molybdenum content for slightly improved corrosion resistance.
Due to their molybdenum content, the austenitic CrNiMo standard grades can be used in applications with increased demand for corrosion resistance. Their well-balanced material properties make them suitable for the fabrication of many products.
Typical Applications
Drinking water systems
Cooling systems
Wastewater systems
Flanges and valves
Product forms, available sizes and finishes
Flat
| Product type | Finishes | Thickness | Width |
| Black hot band | 1U | 2,70-8,50 | 1000-1650 |
Cold rolled coil | 2B, 2BB, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, 2M, 2R | 0,05-6,35 | 3-2050 |
Cold rolled sheet | 2B, 2BB, 2D, 2E, 2G, 2J, 2K, 2R | 0,30-6,35 | 35-2050 |
Hot rolled coil, pickled | 1C, 1D, 1E, 1G, 1M, 1U | 1,46-12,70 | 50-2050 |
Precision strip | 2R | 0,05-1,50 | 3-649 |
Quarto plate | 1D | 5,00-130,00 | 400-3200 |
Long
| Product type | Thickness | Width |
Bloom | 395,00-405,00 | 295-305 |
Cast slab | 165,00-305,00 | 1000-1585 |
Forged billet round | 200,00-230,00 | 200-230 |
Forged billet square | 200,00-230,00 | 200-230 |
Hot rolled / Black bar round | 75,00-230,00 | 75-230 |
Peeled / turned bar round | 70,00-170,00 | 70-170 |
Rolled billet round | 90,00-200,00 | 90-200 |
Rolled billet square | 75,00-200,00 | 75-200 |
Wire rod (Rod coil) hex | 9,00-27,00 | 9-27 |
Wire rod (Rod coil) round | 5,00-27,00 | 5-27 |
Wire rod (Rod coil) square | 9,00-24,00 | 9-24 |
Chemical Composition
The typical chemical composition for this grade is given in the table below, together with composition limits given for the product according to different standards. The required standard will be fully met as specified on the order.
The chemical composition is given as % by mass.
| C | Mn | Cr | Ni | Mo | N | |
| Typical | 0.02 | 16.9 | 10.7 | 2.6 | ||
ASME II A SA-240 | ≤0.08 | ≤2.00 | 16.0-18.0 | 10.0-14.0 | 2.00-3.00 | ≤0.10 |
EN 10028-7 | ≤0.030 | ≤2.00 | 16.5-18.5 | 10.5-13.0 | 2.50-3.00 | ≤0.10 |
EN 10088-2 | ≤0.030 | ≤2.0 | 16.5-18.5 | 10.5-13.0 | 2.5-3.0 | ≤0.10 |
EN 10088-3 | ≤0.030 | ≤2.00 | 16.5-18.5 | 10.5-13.0 | 2.50-3.00 | ≤0.10 |
EN 10088-3 | ≤0.030 | ≤2.00 | 17.0-19.0 | 12.5-15.0 | 2.50-3.00 | ≤0.10 |
EN 10088-4 | ≤0.030 | ≤2.0 | 16.5-18.5 | 10.5-13.0 | 2.5-3.0 | ≤0.10 |
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of the available products in the soft annealed condition at room temperature are given in the table below. Moderate strengths can be reached at elevated temperatures (~550 °C/1022 °F). Temperatures for excessive scaling are close to 850 °C/1562 °F.
This grade, along with other austenitic corrosion-resistant steels, exhibits very high ductility and high elongation to fracture. It is not susceptible to brittle fracture in the solution annealed condition.
| Standard | Rp0.2 | Rp1.0 | Rm | Elongation | Rockwell | HB |
MPa | MPa | MPa | % | |||
Product type: Cold rolled coil and sheet | ||||||
Typical (thickness 1 mm) | 300 | 330 | 620 | 70 | ||
ASME II A SA-240 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | ≤ 217 | |||
EN 10028-7 | ≥ 240 | ≥ 270 | 550-700 | ≥ 40 | ||
EN 10088-2 | ≥ 240 | ≥ 270 | 550-700 | ≥ 40 | ||
EN 10088-4 | ≥ 240 | ≥ 270 | 550-700 | ≥ 40 | ||
Product type: Hot rolled coil and sheet | ||||||
Typical (thickness 4 mm) | 315 | 360 | 615 | 50 | 165 | |
ASME II A SA-240 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | ≤ 217 | |||
EN 10028-7 | ≥ 240 | ≥ 270 | 550-700 | ≥ 40 | ||
EN 10088-2 | ≥ 240 | ≥ 270 | 550-700 | ≥ 40 | ||
EN 10088-4 | ≥ 240 | ≥ 270 | 550-700 | ≥ 40 | ||
Product type: Hot rolled quarto plate | ||||||
Typical (thickness 15 mm) | 260 | 280 | 570 | 50 | ||
ASME II A SA-240 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | ≤ 95HRB | ≤ 217 | ||
EN 10028-7 | ≥ 220 | ≥ 260 | 520-670 | ≥ 45 | ||
EN 10088-2 | ≥ 220 | ≥ 260 | 520-670 | ≥ 45 | ||
EN 10088-4 | ≥ 220 | ≥ 260 | 520-670 | ≥ 45 | ||
Product type: Wire rod | ||||||
Typical | 220 | 260 | 530 | 55 | ||
Physical Properties
According to EN 10088 are shown below.
| Density | Modulus of elasticity | Thermal exp. at 100 °C | Thermal conductivity | Thermal capacity | Electrical resistance | Magnetizable |
kg/dm3 | GPa | 10-6/°C | W/m°C | J/kg°C | µΩm | |
8.0 | 200 | 16,0 | 15 | 500 | 0.75 | No |
Standards & Approvals
The most commonly used international product standards are given in the table below.
| Standard | Designation |
| EN 10028-7, PED 2014/68/EU | 1.4432 |
EN 10088-2 | 1.4432 |
EN 10088-3 | 1.4432; 1.4435 |
EN 10088-4 | 1.4432 |
Welding
316L/4432 has excellent weldability and is suitable for the full range of conventional welding methods (like MMA, MIG, MAG, TIG, SAW, LBW, or RSW), except gas welding.
316L/4432 has about 50% higher thermal expansion and lower heat conductivity compared to carbon steels. This means that larger deformation and higher shrinkage stresses may result from welding.
In thin sections, autogenous welding may be used. To ensure that the weld metal properties (e.g. strength, corrosion resistance) are equivalent to those of the parent metal, matching or slightly over-alloyed fillers should preferably be used. The recommended filler metal is 19 12 3L.
Post-weld heat treatment is generally not required. In special cases with high risks of stress corrosion cracking or fatigue, stress relief treatment may be considered. In order to fully restore the corrosion resistance of the weld seam, the weld discoloration should be removed by pickling and passivation.
