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 |
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.