Stainless Steel Grade AISI 316 | EN 1.4401 | DIN X5CrNiMo17-12-2

AISI 316 | EN 1.4401 | DIN X5CrNiMo17-12-2 is an acid-resistant austenitic stainless steel that is suitable for use in aggressive environments: phosphoric, nitric, citric, lactic, formic, acetic acids, in the presence of alkalis - hydroxides and salts - nitrates, chlorides, fluorides, acetates and sulfates. This brand also shows excellent resistance to the marine environment and salts.

Steel is not resistant to hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid, formic acid in high concentrations, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.

This grade of stainless steel is non-magnetic.

AISI 316 has excellent corrosion resistance in a range of aggressive environments. It is generally considered a “marine grade” stainless steel, but it is not resistant to warm seawater. Warm chloride environments can cause pitting and crevice corrosion. 316 is also susceptible to stress corrosion cracking at temperatures above 60°C.

Physical properties

Density = 8 g/cm³

Specific heat capacity = 500 J/kg · K

Thermal conductivity = 15 W/m · К

Specific electrical resistance = 0.75 Ohm mm² / м

Heat resistance

AISI 316 grade has good oxidation resistance in intermittent service up to 870 °C and in continuous service up to 925 °C. However, continuous use at 425 - 860 °C is not recommended if resistance to corrosion in water is required. In this case, AISI 316L grade steel is recommended due to its resistance to carbide precipitation.

Table: chemical composition of steel grade AISI 316 | EN 1.4401
Chemical composition: steel AISI 316 / EN 1.4401
C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Ni	Mo	N	Fe
<0,07	<1,0	<2,0	<0,045	<0,015	16,5-18,5	10,0-13,0	2,0-2,5	<0,11	Other

Technological properties

The steel lends itself well to both cold and hot processing.

⓵ Cold processing

This grade of stainless steel is easy to roll into many parts. It is also suitable for stamping and drawing. Important: after processing, annealing is recommended to relieve internal stress. Cold processing increases the strength and hardness of AISI 316 stainless steel.

⓶ Hot processing

All standard hot working processes can be performed on this stainless steel. Hot working below 927 °C should be avoided. The ideal temperature range for hot working is 1149 - 1260 °C. Annealing after work is recommended to ensure optimum corrosion resistance.

⓷ Heat treatment

Stainless steel AISI 316 (EN 1.4401) cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 1010 - 1120 °C.

⓸ Mechanical processing and welding

And so the grade of stainless steel AISI 316 | EN 1.4401 has a high level of heat resistance and good plasticity. It is suitable for strengthening by compression, cold and stretching for the manufacture of springs and spring elements from tapes or wire. The material exhibits non-magnetic properties in a soft state, has relatively good mechanical properties at low temperatures and can be welded without additional heat treatment.

It is also important to note the relatively low mechanical properties (not suitable for mechanical applications) and the difficulty of processing the steel.

Mechanical properties

Table: mechanical properties of stainless steel AISI 316 | EN 1.4401
Tensile strength Rm N/mm²	500-700
0.2% Yield strength Rp0.2 N/mm²	200
Relative elongation A5 ≥%	40/30
Hardness 30≤ HB	215
Modulus of elasticity kN/mm²	200

Application

Stainless steel EN 1.4401 is widely used in petroleum, nitrogen, shipbuilding, chemical, construction, oil refining, medical, cellulose, cryogenic, automotive and food industries, gas protection devices, heat exchangers, railings, ships in the form of plates, pipelines. It is suitable for the manufacture of various equipment. It is used in public transport: valves, storage tanks, pumps, radiators. It is used to manufacture equipment for the food industry, for dairy products, catering, parts for processing meat, vegetables and fruits, casings, accessories, forgings, stick equipment, distillers, chimneys, steam system, equipment for creating and maintaining pressure in pipelines, crystallizer, water tanks, pools, boiler parts, condenser, autoclave, reactor or condensation equipment.