Stainless Steel 316L
Generic / House Brand
☀ UV Stable
✓ Food Safe
⬡ Chemical Resistant
Overview
Marine-grade austenitic stainless with 2-3% molybdenum addition over 304. The molybdenum provides superior resistance to chloride pitting corrosion, making it the standard for saltwater, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing. 316L (low carbon) preferred for welded assemblies.
Properties
Difficulty
expert
Flexibility
rigid
Layer Adhesion
excellent
Enclosure
no
Heated Bed
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
- Superior chloride corrosion resistance vs 304
- Standard for pharmaceutical and food processing (USP Class VI)
- Excellent chemical resistance to acids
- Non-magnetic
- 316L grade eliminates sensitization in welded zones
- Widely certified for medical devices
Cons
- Very difficult to machine — work-hardens faster than 304
- Highest cost of common stainless grades
- Requires slow feeds, sharp carbide, flood coolant
- Galling risk higher than 304
- Not through-hardenable
Best For
- Marine hardware (saltwater immersion)|Chemical processing vessels|Pharmaceutical mixing equipment|Coastal outdoor structures|Medical implants (316L/ASTM F138)|Chloride-heavy food processing
Avoid For
- Where 304 is sufficient (unnecessary cost)|Applications requiring high hardness|High-volume machining (cost prohibitive)|Applications requiring magnetism
Storage
Store dry and away from carbon steel contamination. Passivate after machining. 316L preferred for welded assemblies — lower carbon prevents sensitization.
Brands
Online MetalsMcMaster-CarrMetals DepotPenn Stainless