Views: 4 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-08-04 Origin: Site
SS316 stainless steel pipes are commonly used high-quality austenitic stainless steel pipe product in industrial pipelines. It occupies an important position in many fields such as industrial manufacturing, construction engineering, medical equipment, etc. due to its excellent performance.
Stainless steel is a special type of alloy steel known for its excellent corrosion resistance, combining the dual properties of "rust resistance" and "acid resistance".
It can not only resist the erosion of weak corrosive media such as air, steam, and water, but also maintain good stability in strong corrosive environments such as acid, alkali, and salt. In its microstructure, elements such as iron (Fe), carbon (C), silicon (Si), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and nitrogen (N) interact with each other to endow stainless steel with excellent comprehensive properties.
When the chromium content reaches or exceeds 12%, a dense passive oxide film will spontaneously form on the surface, which can sustainably repair and block direct contact between the substrate metal and the external medium, thereby significantly improving the material's oxidation and corrosion resistance.
It is precisely because of this unique self passivation mechanism that high chromium alloys are called "stainless steel".
Stainless steel pipes can be divided into two categories based on production methods: seamless pipes and welded pipes. Seamless steel pipes can also be divided into hot-rolled pipes, cold-rolled pipes, cold drawn pipes, and extruded pipes. Cold drawn and cold-rolled pipes are secondary processing of steel pipes; Welded pipes are divided into straight seam welded pipes and spiral welded pipes.
Faced with a wide variety of stainless steel pipe products in the market, how to choose high-quality and suitable SS316 stainless steel pipes has become a challenge for many customers. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the key points for selecting SS316 stainless steel pipes from multiple aspects, helping you make a wise choice.
If you want to buy high-quality SS316 stainless steel pipes, you must first have a full and comprehensive understanding of its material characteristics. SS316 stainless steel pipes are made of high-performance austenitic stainless steel, which has many unique advantages compared to other stainless steel materials such as SS304 and SS201.
In terms of corrosion resistance, SS316 stainless steel pipe contains 2-3% molybdenum, which significantly improves its resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments (such as seawater and chemical media). This makes it far more resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion than standard SS304 stainless steel pipe in these highly corrosive environments.
The chemical composition of high-quality SS316 stainless steel pipe must strictly comply with relevant standards, with a chromium content between 16% and 18%, a nickel content between 10% and 14%, and a molybdenum content between 2% and 3%. When purchasing, request a material certificate from the supplier to verify that the chemical composition meets the standards. On-site chemical composition testing can be performed using a spectrometer.
Chemical Composition
CHEMICAL | LIMITS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Ni | Cr | Mo |
ASTM A312 TP316 | MIN | 10.00 | 16.00 | 2.00 | |||||
MAX | 0.080 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 14.00 | 18.00 | 3.00 | |
ASTM A312 TP316L | MIN | 10.00 | 16.00 | 2.00 | |||||
MAX | 0.035 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 14.00 | 18.00 | 3.00 |
It has good high-temperature resistance and can maintain stable performance in high-temperature environments, making it suitable for use in high-temperature conditions.
SS316 stainless steel pipes also have high toughness and ductility, making them easy to process and install, and can meet the needs of different projects.
Mechanical Properties
MATERIAL | T.S (MPA) | Y.S (MPA) | EL % |
ASTM A312 TP316 | 515min | 205min | 35 min |
ASTM A312 TP316L | 485 min | 170 min | 35 min |
Easy to cold work, hot forming, and welding, it can be welded using various welding methods such as TIG and MIG, and can still maintain good corrosion resistance after welding.
Compliant with food grade standards (FDA certification), non-toxic and pollution-free, suitable for food processing, pharmaceuticals, and drinking water delivery systems.
Different usage scenarios require the selection of appropriate sizes of steel pipes for use, so dimensional accuracy is crucial. Attention should be paid to parameters such as the outer diameter, wall thickness, and length of the steel pipe.
Nominal Size | OD | Wall Thickness | ||||
mm | inch | mm | 5S | 10S | 40S | 80S |
6 | 1/8 | 10.3 | 1.24 | 1.73 | 2.41 | |
0.28 | 0.36 | 0.48 | ||||
8 | 1/4 | 13.7 | 1.65 | 2.24 | 3.02 | |
0.51 | 0.64 | 0.82 | ||||
10 | 3/8 | 17.1 | 1.65 | 2.31 | 3.20 | |
0.64 | 0.86 | 1.12 | ||||
15 | 1/2 | 21.3 | 1.65 | 2.11 | 2.77 | 3.73 |
0.82 | 1.01 | 1.30 | 1.65 | |||
20 | 3/4 | 26.7 | 1.65 | 2.11 | 2.87 | 3.91 |
1.04 | 1.31 | 1.71 | 2.24 | |||
25 | 1 | 33.4 | 1.65 | 2.77 | 3.38 | 4.55 |
1.33 | 2.13 | 2.55 | 3.29 | |||
32 | 1¼ | 42.2 | 1.65 | 2.77 | 3.56 | 4.85 |
1.68 | 2.76 | 3.46 | 4.56 | |||
40 | 1½ | 48.3 | 1.65 | 2.77 | 3.68 | 5.08 |
1.95 | 3.1 | 4.13 | 5.51 | |||
50 | 2 | 60.3 | 1.65 | 2.77 | 3.91 | 5.54 |
2.44 | 4.01 | 5.54 | 7.63 | |||
65 | 2½ | 73.0 | 2.11 | 3.05 | 5.16 | 7.01 |
3.77 | 5.36 | 8.81 | 11.64 | |||
80 | 3 | 88.9 | 2.11 | 3.05 | 5.49 | 7.62 |
4.60 | 6.59 | 11.52 | 15.59 | |||
90 | 3½ | 101.6 | 2.11 | 3.05 | 5.74 | 8.08 |
5.29 | 7.55 | 13.84 | 19.01 | |||
100 | 4 | 114.3 | 2.11 | 3.05 | 6.02 | 8.56 |
5.96 | 8.52 | 16.40 | 22.77 | |||
125 | 5 | 141.3 | 2.77 | 3.40 | 6.55 | 9.53 |
9.67 | 11.82 | 22.20 | 31.59 | |||
150 | 6 | 168.3 | 2.77 | 3.40 | 7.11 | 10.97 |
11.55 | 14.13 | 28.83 | 43.42 | |||
200 | 8 | 219.1 | 2.77 | 3.76 | 8.18 | 12.70 |
15.09 | 20.37 | 43.39 | 65.95 | |||
250 | 10 | 273.1 | 3.40 | 4.19 | 9.27 | 12.70 |
23.08 | 28.34 | 61.52 | 83.19 | |||
300 | 12 | 323.9 | 3.96 | 4.57 | 9.52 | 12.70 |
31.89 | 36.73 | 75.32 | 99.43 | |||
350 | 14 | 355.6 | 3.96 | 4.78 | ||
35.06 | 42.14 | |||||
400 | 16 | 406.4 | 4.19 | 4.78 | ||
42.41 | 48.26 | |||||
450 | 18 | 457.2 | 4.19 | 4.78 | ||
47.77 | 54.36 | |||||
500 | 20 | 508.0 | 4.78 | 5.54 | ||
60.46 | 70.00 | |||||
550 | 22 | 558.8 | 4.78 | 5.54 | ||
66.57 | 77.06 | |||||
600 | 24 | 609.6 | 5.54 | 6.35 | ||
84.16 | 96.37 | |||||

When measuring the outer diameter and wall thickness, professional measuring tools such as calipers and thickness gauges should be used to ensure the accuracy of the measurement data. At the same time, the roundness of the steel pipe should be checked to see if it meets the standard to avoid elliptical shapes that affect subsequent installation and use.

Surface quality not only affects the appearance of stainless steel pipes but is also closely related to their corrosion resistance. High-quality steel pipes should have a smooth, even surface, free of defects such as cracks, dents, scratches, and pitting. This can be inspected visually or by touching the surface to feel its smoothness. Surface defects can accelerate corrosion and shorten the pipe's service life.
The quality of the manufacturing process directly affects the performance and quality of SS316 stainless steel pipes. Common manufacturing processes include hot rolling, cold rolling, welding, etc.
The steel pipes produced by hot rolling process have good toughness and strength, and are suitable for scenarios that can withstand high pressure; The steel pipes produced by cold rolling process have higher dimensional accuracy and better surface quality, making them suitable for occasions with high precision requirements; The steel pipes produced by welding process need to pay attention to the quality of the welds, ensuring that the welds are firm and defect free. When making a purchase, one can understand the manufacturing process of steel pipes and choose according to actual needs.
In the fields of chemical, petroleum, pharmaceutical and other industrial pipelines, SS316 stainless steel pipes are mainly used for transporting corrosive media. At this point, the focus should be on the corrosion resistance and pressure resistance of steel pipes. Choose steel pipes with appropriate wall thickness and high material purity to ensure that there will be no safety accidents such as leaks during long-term use.
In architectural decoration, in addition to the aesthetic appearance, the strength and durability of steel pipes also need to be considered. Steel pipes with polished surfaces can be selected to enhance the decorative effect, while ensuring that the steel pipes have sufficient load-bearing capacity.
Medical devices have extremely high requirements for materials, not only requiring good corrosion resistance, but also ensuring the biocompatibility of the materials, which will not cause harm to the human body. When selecting, it is necessary to choose products that meet the relevant standards of medical devices to ensure their quality and safety.
You can purchase SS316 stainless steel pipes from reputable steel markets, direct factory sales, or reputable e-commerce platforms. When choosing a channel, be sure to verify the supplier's qualifications and ensure they have legal business licenses.
Reputable brands of SS316 stainless steel pipe offer greater assurance in quality control and production processes. Reputable brands have accumulated extensive production experience over a long period of development, resulting in stable and reliable product quality. You can learn about a brand's reputation by reviewing its market reputation and user reviews, and choose trustworthy brands.
Shanghai Zhucheng Pipe Fittings Manufacturing Co., Ltd. specializes in the production and processing of pipes and fittings. Our pipes and fittings are primarily used in the chemical, petroleum, natural gas, water conservancy, power generation, and marine engineering sectors. Our products include seamless pipes and welded pipes of various sizes, butt-weld pipe fittings, high-pressure forged pipe fittings, and flanges. Materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, cryogenic steel, duplex steel, and base alloys. Please contact us for any inquiries.
The price of SS316 stainless steel pipe is influenced by a variety of factors, including material, size, manufacturing process, and brand. When purchasing, don't simply focus on price while ignoring product quality. While ensuring quality, compare prices and choose products with the best value for money. Furthermore, consider the product's performance and quality to comprehensively evaluate its cost-effectiveness.