Type 316 stainless steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel containing molybdenum. This addition increases the resistance against corrosion and pitting.

Type 316L is an extra-low carbon version of Type 316 stainless steel that minimizes harmful carbide precipitation due to welding.

The process of creating stainless involves mining chromite from underground mines. The chromite is crushed to produce a chromite concentrate. The material is melted in an electric furnace with other raw materials (iron ore, manganese, nickel, etc.) use for the specific stainless type.

After melting the material is formed into slabs and sent to a hot rolling mill. The rolling mill, also known as a roughing mill, reduces the thickness of the steel and it is cooled by water. The material is then transferred to a cold rolling mill.

When the material arrives at the cold rolling mill it is covered in black scale and is sent through an annealing and pickling line to remove it.

To find out which of our locations process and stock 316 stainless steel download our line cards.