What is A240 316 material?

What is A240 316 material?

When materials engineers, fabricators, or procurement specialists inquire about "What is A240 316 material?", they're typically referring to ASTM A240 Grade 316 (UNS S31600), a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel plate, sheet, or strip specified under ASTM A240/A240M for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel in pressure vessels and general applications.

This "marine-grade" stainless steel enhances the corrosion resistance of 304 by adding 2-3% molybdenum, making it highly effective against pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-rich environments like seawater or chemical processing. As a leading manufacturer and exporter in China, Gangsteel produces A240 316 material in various forms, certified to ASTM A240 and ASME SA240, with a focus on molybdenum uniformity for optimal PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) of 24-26.

A240 316 is an austenitic stainless steel (non-magnetic in annealed state) with excellent formability, weldability, and strength, suitable for temperatures up to 925°C intermittent. It balances cost (USD 5-8/kg in November 2025) with performance, often chosen over 304 for aggressive corrosives but below super-austenitics for severe duties. At Gangsteel, we refine it via AOD for low inclusions, offering plates up to 100 mm thick in finishes like 2B and No.1. This guide covers its composition, properties, equivalents, and more. For our molybdenum-bearing grades, explore the ASTM A 240/A 240M stainless steel plate portfolio, including ASTM A 240 Gr 316 and low-carbon ASTM A 240 Gr 316L.

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1. What is A240 Grade 316 (S31600)?

A240 Grade 316 is a molybdenum-alloyed austenitic stainless steel under ASTM A240/A240M, designed for enhanced corrosion resistance in chloride and acidic environments compared to 304 grades. Specified for plate, sheet, and strip in pressure vessels, it's the "workhorse" for marine, chemical, and pharmaceutical applications, where its 2-3% Mo stabilizes the passive film against localized attacks like pitting (CPT ~25-35°C in ASTM G48). The austenitic structure (face-centered cubic) provides non-magnetic properties, high ductility, and toughness from -196°C to 925°C intermittent, with no phase transformation risks.

Introduced in the 1930s to combat industrial corrosives, 316 has evolved into variants like 316L (low C) and 316H (high C), but standard 316 (C ≤0.08%) balances ambient strength and weldability. At Gangsteel, we use vacuum oxygen decarburization for Mo uniformity, achieving grain size ASTM 6-8 for formability. Density 8.00 g/cm³, modulus 193 GPa, thermal conductivity 14.6 W/m·K at 100°C—suits mixed assemblies. Weld with 316 filler; low input avoids distortion.

Common as "AISI 316 plate," it's dual-certified to ASME SA240 for coded vessels. Compared to ASTM A 240 Gr 304, 316 adds Mo for 30-50% better chloride resistance. For stabilized needs, see ASTM A 240 Gr 316Ti.

In offshore platforms or pulp mills, A240 316's durability reduces maintenance 40-60% vs 304 in brines, per our client data.

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2. A240 Grade 316 Chemical Composition

The composition of A240 Grade 316 is optimized for corrosion resistance, per ASTM A240 Table 1.

Mo is the star, partitioning to the film for chloride repulsion; Cr/Ni ensure passivity. Low C limits carbides for weldability. Gangsteel keeps Mo 2.5-2.8% for PREN 25, with salt spray <0.02 mm pitting after 2000 hours.

Note: For low C, ASTM A 240 Gr 316L; high C, ASTM A 240 Gr 316H. MTRs include spectro.

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3. A240 Grade 316 Mechanical Properties

Mechanics of A240 Grade 316 balance strength and ductility, annealed at 1038°C min.

Mo adds subtle strengthening; holds 70% ambient at 500°C. Charpy >100J at -196°C. Fatigue ~240 MPa at 10^7 cycles.

Vs ASTM A 240 Gr 304, similar ambient but Mo for better creep in corrosives.

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4. A240 Grade 316 Allowable Stress

Allowable stresses per ASME BPVC Table 1A.

Mo stabilizes for 10 bar at 400°C. For hotter, ASTM A 240 Gr 316H. Certs with curves.

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5. A240 Grade 316 Equivalent Materials

Equivalents for sourcing.

Gangsteel dual-certs for swaps.

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6. A240 Grade 316 vs A240 Gr 304, A240 Gr 316L, and A240 Gr 316H

Comparisons vs ASTM A 240 Gr 304, ASTM A 240 Gr 316L, ASTM A 240 Gr 316H.

• 316 vs 304: 316’s Mo doubles pitting in chlorides; same strength—316 for marine.
• 316 vs 316L: 316 higher C for strength; 316L better welds without anneal.
• 316 vs 316H: 316H high C for creep; 316 for ambient.

Choose 316 for corrosives, 304 economy, 316L welds, 316H heat.

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7. A240 Grade 316 Specifications

Gangsteel offers 316 in forms with ±0.05 mm tolerances.

7.1 Plate and Sheet

• Thickness: 0.3-100 mm (plate), 0.2-6 mm (sheet)
• Width: 1000-3000 mm
• Length: 2000-12000 mm/coils
• Surface: 2B, BA, No.4; Ra <0.4 μm
• Standards: ASTM A240, ASME SA240, AMS 5524
• Uses: Plates for tanks, sheets for linings

7.2 Bar and Rod

• Diameter: 6-500 mm
• Length: Up to 12000 mm
• Finish: Hot-rolled, peeled
• Standards: ASTM A276, ASME SA479
• Uses: Valves, pumps

7.3 Custom Components

• Types: Elbows, reducers
• Processes: Bent, hydroformed
• Certs: NACE MR0175, API
• Uses: Offshore custom

800 tons stock; 7-14 days.

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8. Applications of A240 Grade 316

316’s Mo drives apps in:

• Marine: Hulls, piping; seawater pitting resistant.
• Chemical: Reactors; phosphoric/sulfuric tolerant.
• Oil & Gas: Downhole; SCC-free.
• Food/Pharma: Equipment; hygienic.
• Pulp/Paper: Digesters; sulfites handled.

Vs 304, 316 for wet corrosives.

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9. Price of A240 Grade 316

November 2025: USD 5-8/kg FOB, hot-rolled $5.5/kg, cold $7/kg, per trends. Mo adds 30% over 304; Ni ~$17k/ton volatile. Gangsteel discounts bulk.

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10. FAQ for A240 Grade 316 Stainless Steel Material

Q: What is the difference between A240 316 and 304?

A: 316 adds 2-3% Mo for superior chloride pitting (PREN 25 vs 19); same strength—316 for marine/chem.

Q: Is A240 316 food grade?

A: Yes; FDA-compliant, non-reactive for utensils/tanks.

Q: Can A240 316 rust?

A: Minimal; passivate for chlorides >500 ppm.

Q: Welding electrode for A240 316?

A: E316-16/ER316L; low input.

Q: Max temp for A240 316?

A: Continuous 870°C, intermittent 925°C.

Q: Is A240 316 magnetic?

A: Non-magnetic annealed; slight cold-worked.

Q: Sizes for A240 316 plates?

A: 0.3-100 mm thick; custom.

Q: 316 vs 316L?

A: 316 higher C for strength; 316L low C for welds.

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11. Why Choose Gangsteel?

Gangsteel’s 25+ years, 500+ experts deliver E-E-A-T. 120k tons/year, ABS/TUV certified. For 316: 100% PMI, custom Mo, global ship. Explore ASTM A 240 Gr 316H.

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12. Conclusion

A240 316 material is ASTM A240 Grade 316, the Mo-alloyed austenitic stainless for superior corrosion in chlorides and acids. With equivalents like EN 1.4401 and mechanics for marine/chem durability, at $5-8/kg in 2025, it’s premium performance. Contact Gangsteel for quotes or data on this or ASTM A 240 Gr 304H. Advance with excellence.