Stainless Steel 316L is a high-performance marine-grade austenitic stainless steel with enhanced molybdenum content for superior corrosion resistance. Offering exceptional ductility, toughness, and strength, it delivers reliable performance in demanding chemical, medical, and industrial environments where corrosion resistance is critical.
Stainless Steel 316L is a marine-grade austenitic stainless steel specifically optimized for DMLS additive manufacturing. With enhanced molybdenum content (2.25-3.0%), it provides superior corrosion resistance in chloride environments compared to standard 304 stainless steel. The material exhibits excellent ductility, toughness, and strength while maintaining biocompatibility for medical applications. Its chemical composition complies with ASTM F138 standards for surgical implants, making it ideal for both industrial and medical applications.
Stainless Steel 316L combines superior corrosion resistance in marine and chemical environments and superior mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy, delivering high ductility and toughness for complex geometries for demanding applications. From rapid prototyping to production runs, teams rely on Stainless Steel 316L to maintain tight tolerances while reducing assembly complexity through consolidated part designs.
EOS metal systems define the industry benchmark for direct metal laser sintering, incorporating precision optics with f-theta lenses that maintain consistent beam quality across the entire build platform. Their closed-loop powder handling and inert atmosphere control achieve oxygen levels below 0.1%, critical for reactive materials like titanium and aluminum alloys. The EOSTATE monitoring suite provides real-time melt pool analysis and automatic exposure parameter correction, ensuring aerospace-grade quality with full documentation for every layer of every part.
Build Volume
400 × 400 × 400 mm
Max part size
Lead Time
8-12 business days
Standard production
Layer Height
20-80 μm
Resolution
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Manufactured in Forge Labs' North American production centers with serialized traceability for Stainless Steel 316L.
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Stainless Steel 316L through EOS DMLS produces fully dense, corrosion-resistant parts for medical, marine, and chemical processing applications. The low carbon content prevents carbide precipitation, maintaining corrosion resistance in welded or as-built conditions.
DMLS 316L achieves superior mechanical properties versus cast material, with fine austenitic microstructure providing excellent ductility. Parts can be electropolished to Ra <0.4 μm for medical and pharmaceutical applications requiring cleanability.
Forge Labs' validated parameters ensure <0.5% porosity with excellent surface quality for functional parts. Our passivation and electropolishing services deliver mirror finishes for FDA-compliant components.
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From surgical instruments to chemical processing equipment, DMLS 316L enables complex stainless steel components. Explore how industries leverage this versatile material.
DMLS 316L enables complex surgical instruments with integrated features and ergonomic designs. The material's biocompatibility and sterilization resistance ensure patient safety.
Key Applications
Performance Data
Achieves Ra <0.4 μm with electropolishing, meeting FDA cleanability requirements while maintaining ASTM F138 compliance.
Chemical plants use DMLS 316L for corrosion-resistant components with complex internal passages. The technology enables reactive flow components with optimized mixing.
Key Applications
Performance Data
Corrosion rate <0.025 mm/year in 10% HCl at 50°C with pitting resistance equivalent PREN >24 for aggressive environments.
Marine applications leverage 316L's superior corrosion resistance for custom hardware and subsea equipment. DMLS enables weight-optimized designs for underwater deployment.
Key Applications
Performance Data
Maintains mechanical properties after 5000 hours salt spray testing with <0.1mm pitting depth in seawater service.
Food manufacturers use DMLS 316L for hygienic equipment with complex cleaning channels. The material meets food contact regulations with excellent cleanability.
Key Applications
Performance Data
Meets FDA CFR 21 and EU 1935/2004 food contact requirements with CIP/SIP compatibility at 140°C.
High-precision stainless steel component
Corrosion-Resistant Component
Marine-grade stainless steel 316L components
Marine Applications
DMLS production capabilities
Manufacturing Solutions
Stainless Steel 316L delivers dependable strength and impact resistance for High-precision mechanical components and assemblies and Chemical processing equipment and valves, helping teams move from prototype to production with confidence.
Mechanical Properties
640 MPa
Stainless Steel 316L records Tensile Strength (Horizontal) at 640 MPa, reinforcing its mechanical properties story.
Mechanical Properties
540 MPa
Stainless Steel 316L records Tensile Strength (Vertical) at 540 MPa, reinforcing its mechanical properties story.
Mechanical Properties
530 MPa
Stainless Steel 316L records Yield Strength (Horizontal) at 530 MPa, reinforcing its mechanical properties story.
Stainless Steel 316L combines Superior corrosion resistance in marine and chemical environments and Superior mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy to support High-precision mechanical components and assemblies and Chemical processing equipment and valves that demand production-ready durability.
| Measurement | Stainless Steel 316LBase | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Horizontal) | 640 MPa | — |
| Tensile Strength (Vertical) | 540 MPa | — |
| Yield Strength (Horizontal) | 530 MPa | — |
| Yield Strength (Vertical) | 470 MPa | — |
| Flexural Strength | 750 MPa | — |
| Elongation (Horizontal) | 40 % | — |
| Elongation (Vertical) | 54 % | — |
| Young's Modulus (Horizontal) | 185 GPa | — |
| Young's Modulus (Vertical) | 180 GPa | — |
| Hardness | 89 HRB | — |
Stainless Steel 316L delivers dependable strength and impact resistance for High-precision mechanical components and assemblies and Chemical processing equipment and valves, helping teams move from prototype to production with confidence.
Stainless Steel 316L delivers exceptional mechanical performance with excellent strength characteristics, effectively handling demanding load conditions. Its balanced mechanical profile allows it to maintain structural integrity while preventing brittleness in critical applications.
These qualities make it well-suited for High-precision mechanical components and assemblies, Chemical processing equipment and valves, and Food processing machinery and components, providing long-term durability in demanding environments. Stainless Steel 316L maintains dimensional stability over time, ensuring consistent performance across temperature and stress variations.
This makes it a reliable choice for applications requiring precise geometries and tight tolerances across Chemical Processing, Food & Beverage, and Marine. Its versatility and durability allow it to perform consistently across a wide range of mechanical applications, ensuring parts maintain their integrity under repetitive stress and environmental conditions.
Stainless Steel 316L combines Superior corrosion resistance in marine and chemical environments and Superior mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy to support High-precision mechanical components and assemblies and Chemical processing equipment and valves that demand production-ready durability.
Key metric
640 MPa
Key metric
540 MPa
Key metric
530 MPa
Detailed mechanical measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Stainless Steel 316L offers consistent density and surface quality so critical features hold tolerances and downstream finishing remains predictable.
Stainless Steel 316L exhibits a density of 7.9 g/cm³ that contributes to lightweight yet durable parts. Its low moisture absorption ensures dimensional stability in varying environmental conditions.
These physical properties enable consistent part quality and predictable performance across High-precision mechanical components and assemblies, Chemical processing equipment and valves, and Food processing machinery and components. The material's inherent characteristics minimize warpage and maintain tight tolerances throughout the part lifecycle.
For Chemical Processing, Food & Beverage, and Marine, these physical attributes translate to reliable production outcomes with minimal post-processing requirements, ensuring parts meet specifications straight from the build platform.
Stainless Steel 316L delivers 7.9 g/cm³ density so assemblies fit and finish without secondary rework.
Key metric
7.9 g/cm³
Key metric
100 %
Key metric
0.018 %
Detailed physical properties measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Stainless Steel 316L maintains dimensional stability through temperature swings, making it a reliable option for Chemical Processing and Food & Beverage programs that see repeated thermal cycling.
Stainless Steel 316L demonstrates excellent thermal stability with robust heat resistance, enabling it to maintain dimensional accuracy in elevated temperature environments. This thermal performance ensures parts retain their shape and mechanical properties even under thermal stress.
The material's thermal characteristics make it ideal for High-precision mechanical components and assemblies, Chemical processing equipment and valves, and Food processing machinery and components that experience temperature fluctuations. Its ability to withstand thermal cycling without degradation ensures long-term reliability in Chemical Processing, Food & Beverage, and Marine.
With an operating temperature range up to 870 °C, Stainless Steel 316L provides engineers with confidence when designing parts for thermally demanding applications, from under-hood automotive components to industrial equipment exposed to heat sources.
Stainless Steel 316L maintains geometry with a Service Temperature of 870 °C, protecting dimensional integrity during heat cycling.
Key metric
1375-1400 °C
Tested to DIN EN ISO 3451
Key metric
870 °C
Key metric
16.3 W/m·K
Tested to EN ISO 22007
Detailed thermal properties measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Stainless Steel 316L offers tested chemical resistance across acids, bases, solvents, and hydrocarbons to ensure reliable performance in harsh environments.
Stainless Steel 316L demonstrates broad chemical resistance with testing against 10 different chemicals, showing excellent compatibility with 6 substances and good compatibility with 3 others. This extensive chemical resistance profile makes it suitable for harsh industrial environments.
The material's resistance to acids, bases, solvents, and hydrocarbons enables its use in High-precision mechanical components and assemblies, Chemical processing equipment and valves, and Food processing machinery and components that require exposure to aggressive chemicals. Its chemical inertness ensures parts maintain their mechanical properties even after prolonged chemical exposure.
For Chemical Processing, Food & Beverage, and Marine, this chemical stability translates to longer service life and reduced maintenance requirements, making Stainless Steel 316L a cost-effective choice for chemically demanding applications.
Stainless Steel 316L has been tested against 10 chemicals with 6 showing excellent compatibility for demanding chemical environments.
Key metric
Excellent
Type: Salt Solution
Key metric
Excellent
Type: Salt Solution
Key metric
Excellent
Type: Solvent
Detailed chemical properties measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Evaluate how Stainless Steel 316L responds to common chemicals before you commit to production tooling. Filter the grid to focus on acids, bases, solvents, or hydrocarbons.
10 of 10 chemicals shown
| Chemical | Type | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Seawater | Salt Solution | Excellent |
| Chloride Solutions | Salt Solution | Excellent |
| Weak Acids | Acid | Good to Excellent |
| Alkaline Solutions | Base | Good |
| Organic Solvents | Solvent | Excellent |
| Food Products | Acid | Excellent |
| Pharmaceutical Solutions | Solvent | Excellent |
| Strong Acids (HCl, H2SO4) | Acid | Moderate |
| Atmospheric Corrosion | Oxidizer | Excellent |
| Industrial Chemicals | Solvent | Good to Excellent |
Equip your team with certification packs, design guides, and spec sheets tailored to Stainless Steel 316L.
Access the most recent datasheet and supporting documentation maintained by our engineering team.
Explore printable geometry recommendations, wall thickness tips, and finishing playbooks for DMLS.
View DMLS design guideKeep your quality packet current with pre-approved certifications.
Advanced Manufacturing
Stainless Steel 316L is manufactured using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology, providing unmatched strength and precision for mission-critical applications.
Stainless Steel 316L is printed on EOS M-series production systems with real-time melt pool monitoring, guaranteeing aerospace-grade density and fatigue performance for tooling and end-use components.
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