316 Stainless Steel Flat Bar

316/316L stainless steel flat bar is a premium austenitic steel product that features excellent corrosion resistance. As the second most popular grade after 304, this stainless steel flat bar contains molybdenum, which significantly enhances its resistance to chloride environments. The 316L variant offers enhanced weldability due to its lower carbon content, making it ideal for heavy-gauge welded components without risking precipitation in the 800°F to 1500°F range.

Technical Properties of 316 Stainless Steel Flat Bar

Physical Properties:

• Density: 8.0 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 1400 °C
• Electrical Resistivity: 0.74 x10^-6 Ω .m
• Thermal Conductivity: 16.3 W/m.K
• Thermal Expansion: 15.9 x10^-6 /K

Mechanical Properties:

• Tensile Strength: 500 - 700 MPa
• Proof Stress: 200 Min MPa
• Elongation A50 mm: 40 Min %
• Hardness Brinell: 215 Max HB
• Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa

Processing Characteristics

The 316 stainless steel flat bar demonstrates:

• Good Cold Working capability
• Fair Hot Working properties
• Very Good Weldability
• Good Machinability
• Poor Heat Treatment response
• Excellent Corrosion Resistance
• Good Heat Resistance

Common Applications

316/316L stainless steel flat bar is widely used in:

• Marine environments (Boat Fittings, Coastal Balustrading)
• Food & Beverage Industry (Brewery Equipment, Food Processing Equipment)
• Chemical Industry (Chemical Transportation, Petrochemical Equipment)
• Medical Sector (Medical Implants, Laboratory Equipment)
• Industrial Applications (Heat Exchangers, Mining Screens)
• Construction (Coastal Architectural Paneling)
• General Hardware (Nuts & Bolts, Springs)

Note: 316 and 316L stainless steel flat bars are typically priced similarly, offering flexibility in choice based on application requirements rather than cost considerations. Both conform to EN 10088-3, 1.4401 standards.