SS 316L Stainless Steel: Composition, Properties & Sheet Supply (Jindal Stainless)
Jindal Stainless produces SS 316L (also written 316L SS, 316 L, Type 316L, AISI 316L), the low-carbon version of austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum grade 316: UNS S31603, EN 1.4404, IS 6911 low-carbon 316. Here's ss 316l meaning in one line: take the 316 chemistry (Cr 16-18%, Ni 10-14%, Mo 2-3%) and cap the carbon at ≤0.030%. That low carbon is exactly why grade 316l stainless steel resists weld-zone corrosion. It's what makes it the weldable pharma grade stainless steel for fabricated vessels and marine service. Relinox supplies genuine Jindal SS 316L sheet, plate, coil, patta and circle, each batch backed by mill test certificates (MTC) confirming the low carbon and molybdenum content, shipped pan-India from our base at Ajmeri Gate, one of Delhi's main stainless steel markets. The composition and property figures below come from ASTM A240, IS 6911 and published Jindal Stainless (JSL) data.
Jindal Stainless produced the values, checked against ASTM A240 and IS 6911. The Relinox Technical Team compiled them.
Disambiguation: We supply 316L as an MoU partner of Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), stainless flat products only. We're not Jindal SAW, JSPL or JSW, who deal in carbon steel and pipes, and we're not SAIL Salem either.
What is SS 316L stainless steel? (the "L" explained)
What is SS 316L? It's the low carbon version of 316, the "L" stands for low carbon, and the carbon ceiling dropped from ≤0.08% in standard 316 to ≤0.030%. What is 316l stainless steel doing differently, exactly? Less carbon means less chromium-carbide precipitation when the steel is welded, so 316L holds onto its corrosion resistance in and around the weld. Everything else stays the same as 316: the chromium passive film, the austenitic (non-magnetic) nickel structure, and the 2–3% molybdenum that gives it chloride resistance.
As an ss 316l material, buyers often ask for the 316l material grade designations to quote on an order: Type 316L, AISI 316L, UNS S31603, EN 1.4404, IS 6911 low-carbon 316. Here's where 316L sits among the grades. Standard-carbon 316 gets picked when higher strength matters. Titanium-stabilised 316Ti handles high-temperature weld stability. Higher-molybdenum 317L takes on harsher chlorides, and low-carbon no-Mo 304L covers weld-friendly mild service. 316L can meet both the low-carbon limit and 316's strength minima, so material often ships dual certified 316 316l, marked 316/316l on the MTC. Hindi-market buyers ask for 316L patta / patti (strip), the 316L wali sheet, and the 316L ka rate. It's all the same grade.
Designation cross-reference
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI / Type | Type 316L / AISI 316L |
| UNS | S31603 |
| EN (Europe) | 1.4404 |
| IS (India) | IS 6911 low-carbon 316 |
| Common names | Low carbon 316, pharma grade stainless steel |
For a 316L stainless steel equivalent grade, quote UNS S31603 / EN 1.4404 / IS 6911 low-carbon 316.
SS 316L chemical composition
The ss 316l composition below follows ASTM A240 (Type 316L / UNS S31603) and lines up with IS 6911 low-carbon 316. Buyers reference this 316l stainless steel composition percentage for Cr Ni Mo content and MTC verification. The two highlighted rows, carbon and molybdenum, are what set the grade apart.
| Element | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | — | 0.030 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.75 |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.045 |
| Sulphur (S) | — | 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0 | 18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 10.0 | 14.0 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.00 | 3.00 |
| Nitrogen (N) | — | 0.10 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance |
The ss 316l carbon content, capped at ≤0.030%, is the whole reason for the "L", low carbon 316 why: less free chromium gets tied up as carbide at the weld, so corrosion resistance holds up after welding.
The ss 316l molybdenum content, 2–3%, carries over from 316; why molybdenum in 316l, it stabilises the passive film against chloride pitting. Check both figures on the MTC. 316L gets swapped for standard-carbon 316, or under-alloyed, often enough in re-rolled bazaar material that verifying them matters.
316 vs 316L: the carbon / strength delta
| Property | 316 | 316L |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (max) | 0.08% | 0.030% |
| Tensile strength (min) | 515 MPa | 485 MPa |
| 0.2% yield strength (min) | 205 MPa | 170 MPa |
| Weld-zone corrosion | can sensitise | resists sensitisation |
SS 316L physical & mechanical properties
Jindal Stainless supplies the physical constants below for annealed (softened) 316L, matching standard austenitic 316L published data. Mechanical minima come from ASTM A240. Worth noting: strength minima sit a bit lower than 316, the trade-off for lower carbon content.
Physical properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 316L stainless steel density | 8.0 (≈7,980–8,000) | g/cm³ (kg/m³) |
| 316L melting point (range) | 1,375–1,400 | °C |
| Modulus of elasticity | 193–200 | GPa |
| Specific heat (0–100 °C) | ~500 | J/kg·K |
| Thermal conductivity (100 °C) | ~16.3 | W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity | ~0.74 | µΩ·m |
316L stainless steel comes in at roughly 8.0 g/cm3 (about 8,000 kg/m3), and it melts somewhere between 1,375 and 1,400°C.
Mechanical properties (annealed)
| Property | Minimum | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485 | MPa |
| 316L yield strength (0.2% proof) | 170 | MPa |
| Elongation | 40 | % |
| 316L hardness | ≤217 HB / ≤95 HRB | — |
For reference, the 316L stainless steel yield/tensile strength in MPa runs ≥170/≥485 MPa annealed, slightly lower than 316 because of the reduced carbon content. The 316L hardness, meanwhile, is capped at 217 HB / 95 HRB in the annealed condition.
To convert these into weight per sheet, run the numbers through our SS sheet weight chart, or just plug them into the stainless steel weight calculator.
Weldability & corrosion resistance (why low carbon matters)
316L weldability is the whole reason the grade exists. In standard 316, welding heat can precipitate chromium carbides at grain boundaries in the heat-affected zone, sensitization, leaving those zones chromium-poor and open to intergranular attack. The ≤0.030% carbon in 316L starves that reaction. So 316L for welded parts keeps full corrosion resistance without a post-weld anneal. That's why 316L gets specified for welded and fabricated equipment; it's the classic weld corrosion insurance. Pharma, dairy and chemical vessels are built in 316L for exactly this reason.
On corrosion, ss 316l corrosion resistance matches 316: the 2–3% molybdenum raises the pitting and crevice threshold well above 304, so 316L holds up in chloride environments, coastal and marine spray, and most chemical and pharma media. Where it runs out of road is hot, concentrated chloride service. There, step up to 317L (higher Mo) or duplex 2205.
Because the low carbon protects welds and the molybdenum guards surfaces, 316L stands as the standard 316l pharma grade, the pharma grade stainless steel for hygienic, weldable process equipment. In bar and wire form, it's also the medical grade 316l used for surgical stainless steel hardware.
Is ss 316l magnetic? In the annealed state, no, not really, it's essentially non-magnetic. As with 304/316, though, heavy cold work like deep drawing or hard bending can induce slight magnetism. So is ss 316l magnetic isn't, by itself, a reliable way to check grade or purity. An MTC is.
316L vs related grades (quick guide)
| Grade | Key difference | Choose when | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | Standard carbon (≤0.08%) | Higher strength, non-welded service | SS 316 · 316 vs 316L |
| 316Ti | Titanium-stabilised | High-temperature strength with weld stability | SS 316Ti |
| 317L | Higher molybdenum (~3–4%), low carbon | Harsher hot-chloride / chemical service | SS 317L |
| 304 | No molybdenum | Dry / mild service where chlorides are absent | 304 vs 316 |
| 304L | Low carbon, no Mo | Welded mild-service parts (cost over chloride resistance) | SS 304L |
| Duplex 2205 | Two-phase, high strength + Mo | Very aggressive chlorides, high strength needed | Duplex 2205 vs 316L |
SS 316L vs 316 / difference 316 and 316l / 316 vs 316l: 316L caps carbon at ≤0.03% for better weld corrosion resistance; standard 316 has slightly higher strength, full detail in SS 316 vs 316L. SS 316L vs 304 / 304 vs 316l: 316L adds the 2–3% molybdenum that 304 lacks, for chloride and marine service (see 304 vs 316). SS 316L vs 316Ti / 316l vs 317l: 316Ti adds titanium for hot strength, 317L adds molybdenum for harsher chlorides. For duplex 2205 vs 316l, duplex brings roughly double the strength and higher chloride resistance, see Duplex 2205 vs 316L.
Forms, finishes, sizes & thickness of Jindal 316L
Relinox stocks and cuts Jindal 316L across the standard Indian flat-product range. Sheet thickness for ss 316l runs from thin gauge right through to plate, and it comes in the standard 8x4, 4x10 and 5x10 ft sizes.
| Form | Finishes | Standard sizes | Thickness (mm + gauge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet (CR) | 2B, BA, No.4 (satin/hairline), mirror No.8 | 1250×2500 (4×8 / 8x4), 1250×3050 (4×10) mm | ~0.3–6 mm (26G–~7G) |
| Plate (HR) | No.1 | 1500×3000 (5×10) mm | ~4–12 mm+ |
| Coil | 2B, BA, No.4 | Slit to width | ~0.3–4 mm |
| Patta / Patti (strip) | 2B, BA, No.4 | Slit widths | ~0.3–4 mm |
| Circle | 2B, No.4, mirror | Ø as required | ~0.4–4 mm |
| Chequered | Embossed pattern | 1250×2500 mm etc. | ~1.5–6 mm |
- Finishes: ask for ss 316l 2b finish, ba finish, no.4 satin/hairline or mirror (No.8). Full detail in SS finishes explained.
- Sizes: the ss 316l sheet 8x4 is the workhorse; we also cut 4x8, 4x10 and 5x10 size sheets to your list.
- Thickness / gauge: popular 316l stainless steel sheet 1mm / 2mm / 3mm and other gauge thicknesses; see the sheet sizes & thickness chart.
- Forms & product pages: 316L stainless steel sheet, ss 316l plate, ss 316l coil (316l patta patti / 316l strip), and ss 316l circle for utensils.
- HR vs CR difference: see HR vs CR stainless sheet.
Typical applications of SS 316L
SS 316L work shows up anywhere gear gets welded and then has to stand up to corrosion. Common uses:
Reactors, storage tanks, process vessels, CIP lines with hygienic welded joints: pharma equipment needs all of it. See pharma & dairy equipment for details.
Dairy and food processing lines put welded tanks and contact surfaces through wash-down chemicals and brines daily. Check out dairy & food processing and kitchen equipment for more.
Chemical process plants run tanks, ducting and hardware in acidic and chloride-heavy media. Full details are at chemical process plants.
- Marine & coastal fittings, fabricated fittings in salt-laden air and spray.
- Medical & surgical hardware, as a surgical stainless steel for instruments and implanted hardware.
- Architecture in aggressive environments, welded coastal façades and fittings that must not tea-stain.
Buy genuine Jindal SS 316L (supplier / dealer / stockist)
Relinox works as a jindal ss 316l sheet dealer, distributor, stockist, trader and wholesaler if that's what you're after. We're one authorized MoU-partner channel for genuine JSL-melted 316L, not re-rolled bazaar stock. Need a jindal 316l sheet stockist near me, or wholesale 316l sheet in bulk? Either way, we quote from the full Jindal range. We also serve as a 316l stainless steel sheet supplier, distributor, stockist and trader, working with fabricators, OEMs and resellers alike.
Why Relinox for 316L:
- Jindal Stainless MoU partner, Relinox works as an authorized channel, so the Jindal 316L sheet material you get is genuine. See Jindal MoU partnership.
- MTC confirms the low carbon and molybdenum content, every dispatch comes backed by mill test certificates. 316l sheet with MTC and a test certificate are available, which means the ≤0.03% carbon and 2–3% Mo figures aren't just claimed; they're verified on paper. See quality & mill test certificates.
- Full grade range + processing, sheet, plate, coil, patta, circle; cutting/shearing to size.
- Delhi base + pan-India dispatch, an ss 316l sheet supplier in Delhi shipping anywhere in India.
To check genuine / original jindal 316l kaise pehchane, the surest route is the MTC's carbon and molybdenum figures; see also how to identify real SS 304 for the general method. As your ss 316l sheet dealer in Delhi, covering ss 316l sheet dealer, stockist, trader and supplier in Delhi / India enquiries, see the Delhi stainless steel sheet dealer page, or send your requirement via the RFQ form for sizes, finishes and MTC. Grades in our verify list (such as 317L) are supplied against indent / on request.
SS 316L price (indicative)
We publish a dated, indicative 316L rate list rather than quoting numbers on this page. For the current ss 316l sheet price, 316l ss sheet rate in ₹/kg, jindal 316l sheet price per kg and the full jindal 316l sheet price list, the 316l ka rate and jindal 316l sheet rate today, see our SS 316 / 316L sheet price page and the price by thickness list. For thicker material and 316l ss plate price, see the plate price route. Rates move with the market, so the 316l ka rate is confirmed on RFQ.
| Thickness band | Common 316L forms | Where to see the rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5–1.0 mm | 316L sheet, patta / patti | dated 316/316L price list |
| 1.2–3.0 mm | 316L sheet (1mm, 2mm, 3mm) | dated 316/316L price list |
| 3–12 mm+ | 316L plate | dated plate price list |
For ss 316l hsn code and gst rate, see the SS HSN codes & GST reference. Request a quote with your grade, size, finish and quantity via the RFQ form, today's rate and MTC confirmed on reply.
Frequently asked questions
What is SS 316L stainless steel?
SS 316L is the low-carbon (C ≤0.030%) form of austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum grade 316, UNS S31603 / EN 1.4404 / IS 6911 low-carbon 316, carrying chromium at 16–18%, nickel at 10–14% and molybdenum at 2–3%.
What does the "L" in 316L mean?
Low carbon corrosion resists sensitization and intergranular attack in welds; ASTM A240 caps it at ≤0.030% for the "L" grade, versus ≤0.08% for standard 316.
What is the chemical composition of 316L?
Per ASTM A240: C ≤0.030, Mn ≤2.00, Si ≤0.75, P ≤0.045, S ≤0.030, Cr 16.0–18.0, Ni 10.0–14.0, Mo 2.00–3.00, N ≤0.10, balance iron (all wt%).
What is the density of SS 316L?
About 8.0 g/cm³ (≈8,000 kg/m³), per standard published austenitic 316L data.
What is the yield strength and tensile strength of 316L?
Annealed 316L carries a minimum 0.2% yield strength of 170 MPa, a minimum tensile strength of 485 MPa, and minimum elongation of 40%. These minima sit a bit below 316's, a consequence of the lower carbon content, per ASTM A240.
Is SS 316L magnetic?
Annealed 316L is essentially non-magnetic. Heavy cold work can bring on a bit of magnetism, though, so a magnet test alone won't tell you what grade you're holding, check the mill test certificate instead.
What is the difference between 316 and 316L?
316L has lower carbon (≤0.03%), which gives it better corrosion resistance in welded parts. 316 runs slightly stronger. See SS 316 vs 316L and SS 316.
Why is 316L preferred for welded equipment?
The low carbon content keeps chromium-carbide from precipitating in the weld heat-affected zone. No post-weld sensitization results. That makes the material well suited to fabricated pharma, dairy and chemical vessels that skip a post-weld anneal.
Is 316L food grade, pharma grade or medical grade?
316L sees heavy use across pharma equipment, dairy and food processing, and surgical or medical hardware. Our food-grade stainless steel guide covers whether is 316l food grade and 316l food grade stainless service in more depth.
Does 316L rust or is it good for marine use?
316L holds up well against chlorides and most chemicals, and it won't rust under normal marine or process conditions. In hot, concentrated chloride environments, though, step up to 317L or duplex 2205 rather than relying on 316L alone.
What is the difference between SS 316L and 304L?
Both are low-carbon grades, but 304L has no molybdenum while ss 316l vs 304l adds 2–3% molybdenum. Choose 316L whenever chlorides, salt or marine air are present; 304L suits weld-friendly mild service.
Is 316L dual certified as 316/316L?
Often, yes. When a heat meets both the ≤0.030% carbon limit and 316's higher strength minima, the MTC can be marked dual certified 316/316L. Check the mill test certificate for your order to confirm.
Do you supply genuine Jindal 316L with MTC?
As a Jindal Stainless MoU partner, we supply genuine JSL-melted 316L, and every batch ships with a mill test certificate confirming the low carbon and molybdenum content. Want to see one first? Request a sample MTC through the RFQ form.
What is the price of 316L per kg?
We publish an indicative, dated ₹/kg rate by thickness on the SS 316 / 316L sheet price page. The exact rate gets confirmed on RFQ.
Related links
- Grades: Grades hub · SS 316 · SS 316Ti · SS 317L · SS 304L · Duplex 2205
- Products: SS sheets · SS plates · SS coils · Patta / patti strips · SS circles
- Guides: 316 vs 316L · 304 vs 316 · Duplex 2205 vs 316L · Food-grade stainless · SS finishes explained · Identify real SS
- Standards: ASTM A240 · IS 6911
- Applications: Pharma & dairy equipment · Chemical process plants · Dairy & food processing · Kitchen equipment
- Tools & resources: Weight chart · Weight calculator · Sizes & thickness · HSN & GST
- Trust & enquiry: Jindal MoU partnership · Mill test certificates · Delhi dealer · Request a quote
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