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316Ti Stainless Steel AISI 316Ti Hardness

Published: November 11, 2025 | Updated: November 11, 2025By Gangsteel Engineering Team – 25+ Years in Stainless Steel Export Excellence

In the precision domain of stainless steels compliant with ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M standards, AISI 316Ti emerges as a titanium-stabilized austenitic grade whose hardness properties are crucial for applications requiring balanced machinability, strength, and wear resistance in high-temperature and corrosive environments.

As a premier producer and exporter based in China, Gangsteel has supplied thousands of tons of AISI 316Ti stainless steel, meeting ASTM A240/A240M specs for plates and sheets, to industries like petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and marine.

If you're evaluating the hardness of AISI 316Ti under ASME SA240/SA240M for components like fasteners or shafts where surface durability and formability are key, understanding its hardness range, measurement methods, and influencing factors is essential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of AISI 316Ti hardness, including data, conversions, and insights, based on ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M standards and our mill tests.

From our production lines, we've controlled AISI 316Ti hardness: In a 2024 U.S. valve stem application, our AISI 316Ti bars under ASTM A240 /A240M maintained HRB 85-90 after annealing, ensuring machinability while retaining tensile 515 MPa min, as per client hardness mapping. Compliant with ASME SA240/SA240M for pressure apps, AISI 316Ti's density of 8.00 g/cm³ supports consistent hardness. Let's delve into the hardness data, from composition to test results, to guide your material selection.

 

Summary

AISI 316Ti stainless steel hardness under ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M is typically 80-95 HRB (20-30 HRC, 160-217 HB) in annealed condition, with controlled heat treatment allowing up to 100 HRB (35 HRC) for enhanced wear while maintaining ductility (elongation 40% min). Density 8.00 g/cm³, PREN 23-28. Ti stabilization ensures hardness stability at 425-815°C without embrittlement. Equivalent to EN 1.4571; softer than martensitics but durable. Ideal for fasteners; Gangsteel stocks 1-200mm with certs for custom hardness.

 

Chemical Composition: Influence on Hardness

The chemical composition of AISI 316Ti, as specified in ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M, contributes to its soft hardness range, with titanium preventing hardening from carbides.

Element

% Range or Max

Role in Hardness

Carbon (C)

0.08 max

Low C avoids hardening; Ti binds for stability.

Manganese (Mn)

2.00 max

Minor; no significant hardening.

Silicon (Si)

0.75 max

Slight increase if high.

Phosphorus (P)

0.045 max

Limited to prevent embrittlement.

Sulfur (S)

0.030 max

Controlled for machinability in soft range.

Chromium (Cr)

16.00-18.00

Contributes to base hardness ~20 HRC.

Molybdenum (Mo)

2.00-3.00

Minimal impact on hardness.

Nickel (Ni)

10.00-14.00

Softens for low HRC range.

Titanium (Ti)

5x(C+N) min, 0.70 max

Stabilizes without hardening; prevents embrittlement.

Nitrogen (N)

0.10 max

Slight strengthening; keeps HRC <30.

Iron (Fe)

Balance

Base for austenitic soft range.

This composition under ASTM A240/A240M ensures HRB 80-95 annealed.

Gangsteel's AISI 316Ti meets ASME SA240/SA240M for controlled hardness.

For uns stainless steel plates, hardness verified.

 

Mechanical Properties: Context for Hardness

AISI 316Ti's mechanical properties, per ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M, correlate with its hardness for balanced performance.

Property

Minimum Value

Typical Range

Hardness Link

Tensile Strength (MPa)

515

550-700

High with low hardness.

Yield Strength (MPa)

205

220-300

Good for soft range.

Elongation (%)

40

45-55

High ductility at HRB 80-95.

Hardness (HRB max)

95

80-90

Annealed; ~20-30 HRC equivalent.

Brinell (HB max)

217

160-190

Converted ~20-28 HRC.

Low hardness ensures machinability; heat treatment raises to 100 HRB.

 

Physical Properties: Supporting Hardness Range

Physical traits of AISI 316Ti, compliant with ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M, aid hardness control.

Property

Value

Notes on Hardness Range

Density (g/cm³)

8.00

Standard for hardness calcs.

Melting Range (°C)

1370-1400

High for stable hardness in heat.

Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)

14.6 (100°C)

Even heat for uniform hardness.

Specific Heat (J/kg·K)

500

Efficient for annealing hardness.

Thermal Expansion (10^-6 /°C)

16.5 (20-100°C)

Low stress in hardness range.

These support consistent hardness.

Hardness Range: Detailed Data and Conversion

AISI 316Ti's hardness range is controlled for annealed (soft) to work-hardened states.

  • Annealed Condition: HRB 80-95 (HRC 20-25, HB 160-217).
  • Cold Worked: HRB 90-100 (HRC 25-30).
  • Heat Treated (Optional): HRB 95-105 (HRC 30-35) for wear.
  • Test Method: ASTM E18 (Rockwell); E10 (Brinell).
  • Gangsteel Data: Average HRB 85 annealed; stable <5% variation.

 

Hardness Conversion Table

Rockwell B (HRB)

Rockwell C (HRC)

Brinell (HB)

Vickers (HV)

95 max

~30

217 max

~220

80-90

20-25

160-190

160-200

90-95

25-30

190-217

200-220

Ti prevents over-hardening from carbides.

 

Corrosion Resistance: With Low Hardness Range

316Ti's corrosion resistance, per ASTM A240/A240M and ASME SA240/SA240M, is unaffected by low hardness range.

  • Uniform: <0.1 mm/year in acids.
  • IGC: Resistant with Ti.
  • SCC: Good in chlorides.
  • Pitting: PREN 23-28.

Weldability and Fabrication: Low Hardness Advantage

316Ti is highly weldable per ASTM A240/A240M, low hardness aiding filler flow. Fillers ER316L.

Gangsteel's 316Ti SA240 Type 316Ti maintains low hardness post-weld.

Applications: Where Hardness Range Matters

316Ti's low hardness suits fasteners (machinability), food equipment (soft for forming).

In Gangsteel's supply to U.S. pharma, low hardness enabled easy fab.

Equivalents: Grades with Similar Hardness Range

Equivalents: EN 1.4571 (HRB 80-95). For A240 GR 316Ti, hardness matches.

Sourcing from Gangsteel: Stock and Pricing

Gangsteel stocks 316Ti at $3,200-3,800/ton FOB. 1-200mm thick, certs with hardness data. Contact for range.

 

FAQ: 316Ti Stainless Steel Hardness Questions Answered in Detail

Q: What is the HRC hardness range for 316Ti stainless steel?

A: The HRC hardness range for 316Ti is 20-30 in annealed condition (max 95 HRB per ASTM A240/A240M), with cold work raising to 35 HRC for wear applications while maintaining ductility.

Q: What is the annealed HRC hardness for 316Ti?

A: Annealed 316Ti has HRC 20-25 (equivalent to 95 HRB max), soft for machining and forming per grade specifications.

Q: How does heat treatment affect 316Ti's HRC hardness range?

A: Heat treatment can raise 316Ti's HRC to 30-35 for enhanced wear, but standard annealed keeps it 20-25 to avoid embrittlement from Ti.

Q: What is the HRB to HRC conversion for 316Ti?

A: 95 HRB max for 316Ti converts to ~30 HRC; typical 80-90 HRB is 20-25 HRC, ensuring soft yet strong material.

Q: How does 316Ti's HRC hardness compare to 316L?

A: 316Ti and 316L both have HRC 20-30 annealed; Ti in 316Ti prevents hardening from carbides in heat, maintaining range.

Q: What is the maximum HRC hardness for 316Ti?

A: Maximum HRC hardness for 316Ti is ~35 in cold-worked or treated state, but standard stock is 20-30 to balance machinability and strength.

Q: How is HRC hardness tested for 316Ti?

A: HRC hardness for 316Ti is tested per ASTM E18 Rockwell method on polished surfaces, with Gangsteel's average 22 HRC annealed for consistency.

 

 

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