316 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
We supply 316 stainless steel pipe and 316 stainless steel tube, seamless and welded, cut and finished in our own plant in Wuxi. Seamless 316L pipe & tube run 6–660 mm OD. Welded 316L runs 32–219 mm OD, pickled pipe covers NPS 1/2" to 14", and large diameter welded pipe goes up to 3,000 mm OD.
Molybdenum 2.0% minimum, shown on every certificate
Laser cut, polished or brushed in our own plant
Up to 100,000 tons processed a month, backed by 3,000 tons of stainless pipe & tube in stock (out of 80,000 tons in total)
316L heat exchanger tube, bright annealed and tested length by length
Why Order 316L Pipe & Tube From MTS
01
Molybdenum on Every Certificate
Our 316L meets the 2.0% Mo minimum of ASTM A312 and A269. The Mo content is shown on the mill certificate.
02
Seamless, Welded and Heat Exchanger 316L
Seamless 316L runs 6–660 mm OD. Welded 316L runs 32–219 mm OD, pickled pipe from NPS 1/2" to 14", and heat exchanger tube from 8 to 88.9 mm OD.
03
Cut and Finished in Our Plant
Our tube laser cuts 316L pipe & tube up to 350 mm OD, 10 mm wall and 9 m long. We polish inside and out to Ra 0.8 µm and brush to No.4 or HL.
04
Process Pipe and Instrument Tube Together
Order 316L mains and 316 instrument tube in one shipment, with matching grade documents.
05
Processing Capacity, Stock and Delivery
We process up to 100,000 tons a month and keep 3,000 tons of stainless pipe & tube in stock in 60,000 m² of warehouse space in Wuxi. Our own cranes load each container, and orders ship from Shanghai, Qingdao or Tianjin.
The Grade for Chlorides and Chemicals
316 adds 2–3% molybdenum to the 304 base. That small change raises its pitting resistance number from about 19 to about 24.
That is why 316 stainless steel pipe & tube are the standard choice near the sea. Chemical plants and pharma utilities use them too. When a line sees salt, acids or chlorinated water, start here.
316 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube Range
TP316 Pipe & Tube
Standard grade for unwelded lines. Also written as TP316 stainless steel or A312TP316.
TP316L Pipe & Tube
Low carbon, 0.035% max. 316L stainless steel pipe & tube for welded process lines.
TP316/316L Dual Grade
One material meets both grades. Available on request.
TP316H Pipe & Tube
Carbon 0.04–0.10% for creep strength above about 500°C. 316H pipe & tube serve hot pressure lines.
316Ti Pipe & Tube
Titanium stabilized 316 (EN 1.4571). Common on European drawings.
316 Instrument Tube
Seamless 316L ss tube from 6 mm OD for instrument and hydraulic lines. Inch sizes such as 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" OD are quoted on request. See Seamless Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube.
Specifications
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Grades | TP316L, TP316H, 316Ti; TP316 and TP316/316L dual on request |
| Equivalents | UNS S31600 / S31603 / S31609 / S31635; EN 1.4401 / 1.4404 / 1.4571; JIS SUS316TP / SUS316LTB |
| Pipe | Seamless OD 6–660 mm, wall 1–12 mm; welded OD 32–219 mm, wall 2–3 mm; pickled welded pipe NPS 1/2″–14″; large diameter welded OD 426–3,000 mm, wall 3–12 mm |
| Tube | Seamless OD 6–660 mm; heat exchanger tube OD 8–88.9 mm, wall 0.8–1.5 mm, bright annealed |
| Length | Seamless 4–12 m (6 m standard); welded 6, 9, 12 m, to order 14–18 m; large diameter up to 14 m |
| Standards | Pipe: ASTM A312 / SA312, A358, A376. Tube: ASTM A269, A213 / SA213, A249. EN 10216-5, EN 10217-7 |
Choosing 316 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube: What Matters
Check the Molybdenum, Not Just the Name
Molybdenum is what you pay for in 316. ASTM A312 and A269 require 2.00–3.00% Mo. EN 1.4404 also sets 2.0% minimum, but some other national standards allow less.
Low-moly “316” still appears in the market. It looks the same, but it does not resist pitting like real 316. Ask for the Mo content on the certificate.
Rule of thumb: if a 316 price looks close to 304, check the moly first.
Reading 316 Grade Names
Pipe uses A312: A312 TP316L, SA312 TP316L, SA312 TP316 or A312TP316. Tube uses A269 for general service, as in A269 TP316 or A269 TP316L. Boiler and heat exchanger tube uses A213, as in A213 TP316 or A213 TP316L.
The steel is the same in all of them. The standard sets size tolerance and tests. Order the standard your drawing names.
TP316, TP316L or Dual Grade?
TP316 allows 0.08% carbon. TP316L limits it to 0.035%, so welds keep their corrosion resistance. Most process lines are welded, so 316L is the usual choice.
Dual-certified “TP316 316L” pipe & tube meet both. Its chemistry is 316L, and its strength meets 316. If your spec says only “A312 TP316,” dual-grade material still complies.
When 316H or 316Ti Makes Sense
TP316H holds higher carbon for strength above about 500°C. Use it only where the design code calls for an H grade.
316Ti uses titanium to tie up carbon. It is mostly seen on German drawings. Modern 316L usually does the same job. Accept 316L in place of 316Ti only with your engineer’s written approval.
304 or 316?
304 is fine for fresh water, food and dry indoor service. It cannot handle salt. Pick 316 when any of these apply:
- The site is within a few kilometers of the sea.
- The water has more than about 200 ppm chloride.
- The line carries acids, brine or chlorinated water.
If none apply, 304 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube cost less and work as well.
When 316L Is Not Enough
Warm seawater, strong chloride solutions and hot acids can still pit or crack 316L. Here is how we usually step up:
- 317L: more Mo (3–4%) for flue gas and pulp bleach lines.
- 904L: high nickel and copper for sulfuric acid.
- 6Mo grades such as S31254 (254 SMO): listed as A312 S31254, for warm seawater.
- Duplex 2205 or 2507: twice the strength and better resistance to stress corrosion cracking. See Duplex Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube.
If your line runs hot and salty, ask before you order 316L. A step up costs far less than a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 316 and 316L pipe & tube?
316L has lower carbon, 0.035% maximum, against 0.08% for 316. Lower carbon protects welds from intergranular corrosion. 316L is slightly lower in minimum strength. Dual-grade material meets both, so you rarely need to choose.
Is SS316L pipe & tube suitable for seawater?
For cold, flowing seawater, SS316L pipe & tube can work. For warm or stagnant seawater, it can pit under deposits and at crevices. Duplex, super duplex or 6Mo grades are safer for long life.
What does TP316 mean?
TP316 is the grade name in ASTM pipe & tube standards such as A312, A269 and A213. On ASME code jobs, pipe is ordered as SA312 TP316. The chemistry is the same as 316 sheet or bar.
Is 316 stainless steel pipe & tube magnetic?
Annealed 316 is non-magnetic. It stays less magnetic than 304 after cold work, thanks to higher nickel. A weld may show light magnetism from ferrite. This is normal.
Can you supply 316 pipe & tube with NORSOK or PED documents?
We provide EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates as standard. NORSOK, PED and 3.2 documents are quoted on request. Tell us the project spec at quote stage.
What is the price of 316 stainless steel pipe & tube?
316 costs more than 304 because of molybdenum and higher nickel. The gap moves with metal prices. Size, wall and process also change the price. Send your list and we will quote within 2–4 working hours.
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