| 316 STAINLESS STEEL 0.060" GENERAL DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Thickness | 0.060" |
| Gauge | 16 |
| Thickness tolerance positive | 0.006" |
| Thickness tolerance negative | 0.006" |
| Mill Finish | 2B |
| Top/Bottom finish | Identical both sides |
| Sourced from | USA/Global |
| LASER CUTTING SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Cutting process | Fiber laser |
| Cut tolerance +/- | 0.005" |
| Flatness tolerance before cutting | +/-0.030 per foot |
| Min part size | .25″ x .375″ |
| Max part size | 44″ x 30″ |
| Min hole size | .024″ |
| Min bridge size | .024″ |
| Min hole to edge distance | .018″ |
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| Tab and slot tolerance | .010" |
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| BENDING SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Min bend part size | .375" x 1.5" |
| Max bending flat part size | 44" x 30" |
| Max bend length | 44" |
| Min flange length (before bend/Flat Pattern) 90° or less (obtuse) | 0.255" |
| Min flange length (after bend) 90° or less (obtuse) | 0.314" |
| Minimum Length Center of bend line 91-130* (Acute) | 0.332" |
| Die width | 0.472" |
| Effective bend radius @ 90° | 0.070" |
| Max bend angle | 130° |
| Bend angle tolerance (bend length up to 24″) | +/- 1 degree |
| Bend angle tolerance (bend length over 24″) | +/- 2 degrees |
| Bend deduction @ 90° | 0.119" |
| K Factor | 0.34 |
| Bend relief depth | 0.118" |
| Minimum joggle. Bend line to bend line @90° max flange | 0.321" |
| Maximum joggle. Bend line to bend line @90° max flange | 3.750" |
| DEBURRING SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Min deburring part size | 1" x 3" |
| Max deburring part size | 36″ x 46″ |
| DIMPLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Min dimple part size | 1.450" x 5.200" |
| Max dimple part size | 26" x 56" |
| Smallest dimple | .750" |
| Largest dimple | 3.000" |
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| Dimple overall height (.750" dimple) | .158" |
| Dimple overall height (1.000" dimple) | .200" |
| Dimple overall height (1.250" dimple) | .212" |
| Dimple overall height (1.500" dimple) | .234" |
| Dimple overall height (1.750" dimple) | .343" |
| Dimple overall height (2.000" dimple) | .285" |
| Dimple overall height (2.500" dimple) | .320" |
| Dimple overall height (3.000" dimple) | .405" |
| HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Min hardware part size | 1″ x 1.5″ |
| Max hardware part size | 36″ x 46″ |
| Max 4 sided box flange height (hardware | 3" |
| Hardware specific specifications | Please view our Hardware Catalog |
| POWDER COATING SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Min powder coating part size | 1" x 3" |
| Max powder coating part size | 23" x 23" |
| TAPPING SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Largest Tap | M6 x 1.0 |
| Smallest Tap | M2 x 0.4 |
| Min Flat Part Size Tapping | 0.949" x 1.5" |
| Max Flat Part Size Tapping | 36" x 46" |
| Tapping Min Hole to Edge | 0.018" |
| Tapping Min Hole Center to Material Edge | Tap hole size/2 +0.018" |
| 316 STAINLESS STEEL PROPERTIES | |
| Material Composition | Iron (Fe): 65 – 74% Chromium (Cr): 18 – 20% Nickel (Ni): 8.0 – 12% Manganese (Mn): 0 – 2.0% Silicon (Si): 0 – 0.75% Nitrogen (N): 0 – 0.1% Phosphorus (P): 0 – 0.045% Carbon (C): 0 – 0.030% Sulfur (S): 0 – 0.030% |
| Density | 494.208 lb/ft^3 |
| Heat treatments process | N/A |
| ASTM | A240M-20a/A480M-20a |
| Tensile Strength (Ultimate) | 75 ksi |
| Tensile Strength (Yield) | 30 ksi |
| Shear Strength | 30 ksi |
| Shear Modulus | 11.5 ksi |
| Fatigue Strength | 30 ksi |
| Brinell Hardness | 149 |
| Elongation at Break | 40-50% |
| Elastic Modulus | 29000 ksi |
| Poisson’s Ratio | .29 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 8.4 BTU/h-ft °F |
| Melting Point | 2550 °F |
| Magnetic | No |
| Does it Rust | No |
316 Stainless Steel (marine grade): Corrosion resistance, cutting, and applications
Key Things to Know About 316 Stainless Steel
Top 5 Must-Know Things About 316 Stainless
- 316 stainless steel is an austenitic alloy with added molybdenum for superior chloride resistance.
- Commonly called “marine grade stainless” for its performance in saltwater and harsh environments.
- SendCutSend laser cuts 316 stainless with ±0.005″ tolerance using fiber lasers.
- Available in multiple thicknesses up to 0.500″, shipped in 2–4 business days.
- More expensive than 304 stainless, but essential for marine, chemical, and food-grade applications.
Introduction: What is 316 Stainless Steel?
316 stainless steel is part of the 300-series austenitic alloys, known for toughness, ductility, and corrosion resistance. The addition of 2–3% molybdenum is what separates 316 from 304 stainless, giving it superior performance in chloride-rich environments like saltwater, pool chemicals, or industrial processing plants. At SendCutSend, 316 stainless is offered in multiple thicknesses and cut on industrial fiber lasers for precision, clean edges, and fast turnaround.
How does 316 compare to 304?
316 is essentially the upgrade to 304 when corrosion is a concern. Both grades are strong, weldable, and bendable, but 316 shines in marine and chemical environments where 304 will pit or tea stain.
- Corrosion resistance: 316 is more resistant to chlorides thanks to molybdenum.
- Strength and ductility: Nearly identical to 304.
- Cost: Roughly 20–30% more expensive.
- Machinability: Slightly worse than 304 due to work hardening.
If you’re building indoor brackets or cosmetic enclosures, 304 is often enough. If your project faces saltwater or chemicals, 316 is the clear choice.
Can 316 Stainless be laser cut?
Yes. 316 stainless is an excellent candidate for fiber laser cutting, the method used at SendCutSend. Fiber lasers cut reflective metals cleanly, holding tolerances of ±0.005″. We use nitrogen assist gas to create oxide-free edges that are bright and ready for finishing. Oxygen cutting is faster but leaves discoloration, which is less suitable for cosmetic parts.
What edge quality should you expect?
316 cuts with crisp, narrow kerfs on a fiber laser. Heat tint may appear on edges if oxygen is used, but with nitrogen, edges are bright and clean. Burrs or dross are minimal on thin to mid-thickness sheets, though very thick plate can show some edge buildup. Warping is possible in thinner sheets if designs have dense cutouts, but SendCutSend’s process minimizes heat distortion compared to plasma or waterjet.
What tolerances and feature sizes are realistic?
At SendCutSend we guarantee ±0.005″ cutting tolerance on 316 stainless.
- Minimum hole size: ~0.060″ depending on thickness.
- Minimum web/bridge: At least equal to material thickness.
- Kerf width: ~0.008–0.010″.
For exact data by thickness, see our 316 stainless specifications.
What finishing options are available?
You can choose to have your 316 stainless steel parts deburred or tumbled for a small additional fee. In addition, SendCutSend offers powder coating on 316 stainless which adds a durable, chip-resistant layer in multiple color options, enhancing corrosion resistance for outdoor or marine projects. Explore all finishing service options at SendCutSend
How does 316 behave in bending and welding?
316 stainless bends cleanly on a CNC press brake, though it requires careful design.
- Minimum inside radius: At least material thickness; use 2–3x thickness on heavy gauges.
- Springback: Greater than mild steel or aluminum, but compensated automatically in our bending process.
- Flange length: Minimum of 3x thickness.
Welding is straightforward, especially with TIG or MIG. 316L is best for welded parts, as the reduced carbon minimizes carbide precipitation. Post-weld passivation restores corrosion resistance. See our bending guidelines for exact dimensions needed for bending services through SendCutSend.
What post-cutting services are available?
SendCutSend offers several services to make your 316 parts assembly-ready right out of the box:
- Bending: Precision press brake bending with tight tolerances.
- Tapping: Clean threaded holes without secondary machining.
- PEM hardware installation: Adds reusable, load-bearing threads in thin sheet.
- Dimple forming: Strengthens holes or provides clearance for fasteners.
- Powder Coating: Add durability and vibrant long-lasting finish to 316 stainless parts
Combining these with cutting and finishing creates a true one-stop workflow.
When should you cut 316 yourself vs. outsource?
316 can be DIY-cut, but it’s difficult without industrial equipment. Plasma cutting leaves heavy dross, CO₂ lasers struggle with reflection, and tooling wear is high when machining. Outsourcing to SendCutSend gives you ±0.005″ tolerance, oxide-free edges, finishing, and add-on services — all with parts shipping in 2–4 days. For most engineers and makers, outsourcing is faster, cheaper, and more reliable than tackling 316 in-house.
Conclusion
316 stainless steel is the go-to choice when corrosion resistance matters most, especially in marine, chemical, and food-grade environments. At SendCutSend, we make it easy to turn this premium material into precision parts with our fiber laser cutting, finishing, and post-cutting services. Whether you need simple brackets, complex assemblies, or corrosion-resistant components ready for the outdoors, we deliver fast, accurate results so you can focus on your project instead of the fabrication.