316/316L Stainless Steel Plates

Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments, seawater, and aggressive chemical media, thanks to 2–3% molybdenum content. The low carbon 316L version provides enhanced resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding.

Superior Weldability: 316L grade ensures low carbon content for superior weld performance, with reduced risk of intergranular corrosion in welded fabrications. Suitable for TIG, MIG, laser, and submerged arc welding.

Excellent Formability and Fabricability: Good ductility allows for bending, rolling, forming, and machining operations without cracking.

High Mechanical Strength: Excellent tensile and yield strength with good ductility for pressure vessel applications and structural fabrications.

Smooth Surface Quality: Available in hot-rolled annealed and pickled (No.1 finish), cold-rolled 2B finish, and polished finishes (No.4, No.8 mirror, brushed/hairline).

Precise Dimensional Tolerances: Tight thickness tolerances per ASTM A480 ensure consistent material properties for precision fabrications.

Wide Size Range: Available from 1mm to 100mm thickness, widths up to 3000mm, and lengths up to 12000mm.

International Certifications: Plates can be certified by ABS, BV, DNV, LR, GL, RINA, CCS, KR, and NK, and comply with ASME, PED, and NORSOK standards for pressure vessel and offshore applications.

Both 316 and 316L stainless steel plates exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. The lower carbon content in 316L minimizes carbide precipitation during welding, providing enhanced resistance to intergranular corrosion compared to standard 316, especially in welded fabrications and high-temperature service environments.

High-Temperature Tensile Properties (Typical Values):

Heat Treatment Condition:
Both 316 and 316L stainless steel plates are normally supplied in the annealed and pickled condition. Solution annealing at 1040–1080°C followed by rapid cooling (water quenching) restores full corrosion resistance, relieves internal stresses from rolling, and ensures optimal ductility for further forming operations.

Pressure Vessel Certification (ASME SA240):

l  316/316L plates can be supplied with ASME SA240 certification for pressure vessel applications.

l  Each plate is stamped with heat number and ASME emblem upon request.

l  Full traceability documentation included.

Thickness Tolerances (Hot-Rolled – ASTM A480):

Thickness Tolerances (Cold-Rolled – ASTM A480):

Width and Length Tolerances (Hot-Rolled – ASTM A480):

Raw Material Selection: High-quality 316/316L stainless steel slabs from certified mills with certified chemical composition and traceability.

Reheating: Slabs heated to 1200–1250°C in reheating furnaces for hot rolling.

Hot Rolling: Heated slabs passed through roughing and finishing stands to reduce thickness to required dimensions (5-100mm).

Laminar Cooling: Controlled water cooling to achieve desired microstructure and mechanical properties.

Plate Cooling and Straightening: Hot plates cooled on cooling beds then roller straightened.

Solution Annealing: Plates undergo solution annealing at 1040–1080°C to restore corrosion resistance.

Pickling: Removal of oxide scale using mixed acid (HNO₃ + HF) for No.1 finish.

Cold Rolling (Optional): For thicknesses below 5mm, hot-rolled plates further reduced through cold rolling passes.

Bright Annealing (Optional): Cold-rolled plates annealed in hydrogen atmosphere for BA finish.

Cut-to-Size: Plates cut to customer specified dimensions using plasma, laser, or shear cutting.

Surface Finishing (Optional): Polished, brushed, or mirror finish applied upon request.

Inspection & Testing: Dimensional check, PMI, mechanical testing, surface inspection, UT upon request.

Marking & Packing: Each plate stamped with grade, heat number, dimensions, and standard. Packed with edge protection.

Chemical Analysis: Spectrometer verification or PMI for alloy elements (Cr, Ni, Mo).

Mechanical Testing: Tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, hardness per ASTM A370.

Dimensional Inspection: Thickness, width, length, flatness, squareness.

Surface Inspection: Visual check for surface defects, cracks, laminations, and consistency.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Per ASTM A435 for internal flaw detection (upon request).

Intergranular Corrosion Test: ASTM A262 Practice E for 316L (upon request).

Ferrite Content: For duplex grades only.

Third-Party Inspection: SGS, BV, DNV, TUV, LR, ABS available upon customer request.

Chemical & Petrochemical Industry: Chemical storage tank shells, reactor vessels, process equipment, acid handling tanks, pressure vessels, scrubbers.

Marine & Offshore Engineering: Offshore platform structural components, shipbuilding hull plates, seawater tank linings, ballast tank components (ABS, BV, DNV, LR certified).

Pharmaceutical Equipment: Reactor shells, sterile process vessels, WFI storage tanks, bioreactor tanks, cleanroom paneling.

Food & Beverage Industry: Dairy processing tanks, brewery fermentation vessels, food storage silos, pasteurizer shells, CIP system tanks.

Pressure Vessels: ASME code pressure vessel shells, storage tanks, receivers, accumulators.

Heat Exchangers: Shell and tube heat exchanger shells, channel heads, baffles, tube sheets.

Desalination Plants: Evaporator shells, brine heater components, high-pressure RO vessels.

Water Treatment: Filtration equipment, aeration tanks, chemical feed tanks, distribution components.

Architectural & Construction: Building cladding, roofing panels, curtain walls, elevator interiors, escalator trim.

Pulp & Paper: Digester shells, bleach plant tanks, chemical recovery equipment.

Power Generation: Condenser shells, heat exchanger components, auxiliary tankage.

Womic Steel offers precision cutting services for 316/316L stainless steel plates:

Standard Packaging:

Plates wrapped with moisture-proof paper and VCI film

Edge protectors to prevent damage

Wooden pallets or steel skids for plate protection

Clear labeling with grade, heat number, dimensions, weight

Womic Steel's Shipping Strengths:

Direct cooperation with global shipowners – competitive freight rates

Professional loading and securing teams prevent plate bending and damage

Efficient document preparation (EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTR, packing list) minimizes customs delays

Rapid delivery time – standard plates maintained in ready stock over 10,000 tons

Continuous cargo tracking and after-sales follow-up

1. What is the difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel plates?
The main difference is carbon content. 316L has lower carbon (≤0.03% vs ≤0.08%), which prevents carbide precipitation during welding and provides better resistance to intergranular corrosion. For welded fabrications and pressure vessel applications, 316L is typically preferred.

2. Can 316L plates be used for pressure vessel applications?
Yes. 316/316L plates are commonly used for ASME Section VIII pressure vessels. We can supply plates with ASME SA240 certification and all required documentation.

3. What is the maximum plate size available?
Maximum thickness: 100mm. Maximum width: 3000mm. Maximum length: 12000mm. Larger sizes available upon request.

4. What surface finish is best for food processing equipment?
2B finish is standard for food processing. For direct food contact surfaces, No.4 (polished) or BA finish with Ra ≤ 0.5μm is recommended for cleanability.

5. Do you provide material test reports (MTR) and certification?
Yes, every shipment includes EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTR with chemical analysis and mechanical properties. Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, DNV, ABS) available upon request.

6. Are 316L plates suitable for seawater service?
316L offers good resistance to seawater but is susceptible to crevice corrosion in stagnant conditions. For continuous seawater immersion, consider duplex 2205 or super duplex 2507 plates.

7. Can you provide plates with ultrasonic testing?
Yes. Ultrasonic testing per ASTM A435 or customer specification is available upon request.

Complete Size Range: Thickness from 1mm to 100mm – all standard sizes in stock

ASME Certified: SA240 certification available for pressure vessel applications

Marine Certified: ABS, BV, DNV, LR certifications available

Full Traceability: Heat number on each plate – traceable to original mill certificate

Cut-to-Size Services: Plasma, laser, waterjet, and shearing for custom dimensions

Surface Finish Options: No.1, 2B, BA, No.4, HL, Mirror – all available

Large Inventory: Over 10,000 tons in stock – ready for immediate dispatch

Global Delivery: Exported to over 50 countries

Tel / WhatsApp:

Victor: +86 15575100681

Jack: +86 18390957568

E-mail: info@womicstainless.com

Website: www.womicsteel.com

Contact Womic Steel today for a competitive quote on 316/316L stainless steel plates. We offer certified quality, cut-to-size services, rapid delivery, and reliable global shipping.

Stock Examples (Hot-Rolled 316L Plates – No.1 Finish – Chemical Tank Grade):

Stock Examples (Cold-Rolled 316L Plates – 2B Finish – General Fabrication):

Checker Plate (Diamond Pattern) – 316L Stainless Steel:

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