SS316L Tube Sheet
Low-carbon variant of 316 stainless, chosen whenever the tube sheet will be welded — the reduced carbon content resists sensitization at the weld heat-affected zone, preserving corrosion resistance right up to the joint.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0 | 18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 10.0 | 14.0 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Carbon (C) | — | 0.030 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 2.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.75 |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 485 MPa min |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | 170 MPa min |
| Elongation | 40% min |
| Brinell Hardness | 217 HB max |
Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| ASTM / UNS | S31603 |
| EN / DIN | 1.4404 |
| JIS | SUS316L |
| Old British | 316S12 |
SA-965 / F316L Specification
When a drawing or RFQ cites SA-965 / F316L (or ASTM A965 Grade F316L) with UNS S31603, it is pointing at an austenitic stainless-steel forging path — not a universal “tube sheet standard.” Confirm the ordered product form, grade designation and purchaser requirements against the drawing before procurement.
| Element | Reference |
|---|---|
| Specification | ASTM A965 / A965M |
| ASME designation | SA-965 / SA-965M where applicable (edition-dependent; confirm Code context) |
| Grade designation | F316L |
| UNS | S31603 |
| Product form | Austenitic stainless-steel forging |
| Application context | Pressure and high-temperature parts, subject to project requirements |
A965/SA-965 covers austenitic stainless-steel forgings for boilers, pressure vessels, high-temperature parts and associated equipment. F316L is the listed grade designation that corresponds to UNS S31603 (SS316L). The finished tube-sheet geometry, machining, hole pattern and inspection scope remain purchaser / drawing requirements — they are not defined by naming A965 or SA-965 alone.
Do not treat A240, A182 and A965 as interchangeable. A practical procurement path when SS316L / F316L / S31603 appears on a drawing:
| Specification | Product form / role | How to read it for tube sheets |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A240 / SA-240 | Plate, sheet and strip | Common plate path when the blank is machined from flat product |
| ASTM A182 / SA-182 | Forged / rolled piping components (F316L context) | Relevant when the callout is piping-component forging scope; confirm against the ordered part — do not assume A182 purchases a large forged tube-sheet blank |
| ASTM A965 / SA-965 | Austenitic stainless-steel forgings (F316L) | Investigate when the material is specified as a forging for pressure/high-temperature parts |
For RFQ clarity, include where known: grade (SS316L), UNS (S31603), ASTM/ASME + edition, F-grade (F316L), product form (plate / forging / clad), drawing + revision, OD/thickness, hole pattern, quantity, and inspection/testing.
Continue from grade identity into product form and machining:
Available Product Forms
SS316L is available across every structural type: Fixed Tube Sheets, Floating Tube Sheets, and U-Tube Tube Sheets, and as CNC Machined or Precision Machined variants where tight hole tolerance is required.
Applicable Standards
Governed by ASTM A240/A480 for the material and TEMA / ASME Section VIII for the mechanical design and thickness calculation.
Applications
316L is the default choice wherever a welded tube-to-sheet joint meets chemical processing, pharmaceutical, or food-grade fluid service — its molybdenum content resists pitting from moderate chlorides, and its low carbon keeps that resistance intact across the weld. See Industries for sector-specific requirements.
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
- No sensitization risk at weld joints
- Good general and pitting corrosion resistance
- Widely available, well-understood machining behaviour
Limitations
- Not suitable for high-chloride/seawater service (use Duplex)
- Cost premium over standard 316 for non-welded applications
- Lower strength than duplex or nickel alloys
FAQ
Marginally weaker in tensile and yield strength due to the lower carbon content, but the difference is small and rarely governs the thickness calculation. The real reason to choose 316L is weld integrity, not strength.
Standard diameters are typically ex-stock; large or non-standard diameters are sourced to order. Send your specification for confirmed availability and lead time.
Yes — this is a common cost-optimisation for large-diameter tube sheets where only the process-side face needs 316L corrosion resistance. See Clad Tube Sheets under Products for details.