316L Stainless Steel Powder Description
316L Stainless Steel Powder is a low-carbon version of 316 stainless steel powder. It is composed primarily of iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and small amounts of other elements. After 304 stainless steel, it is the second most popular stainless steel. Unlike 304, 316L has a small amount of Mo which belongs to the refractory metal group. 316L stainless steel powder shows better corrosion resistance and performance than 304 stainless steel powder. 316L Stainless Steel Powder is widely used in various industries for its superior performance and versatility.
316L Stainless Steel Powder Specifications
|
Particle Size
|
15~45μm, or customized
|
|
Tap Density (g/cm3)
|
5.0
|
|
Purity
|
99.9%
|
|
Morphology
|
spherical
|
Physical Properties
|
Particle Size Range (μm)
|
Tap Density (g/cm³)
|
Hall Flow Rate (s/50g)
|
Oxygen Content (ppm)
|
Particle Size Distribution (μm)
|
| |
|
|
|
D10
|
D50
|
D90
|
|
53-150
|
4.5-4.8
|
≤25
|
300-500
|
56-66
|
90-102
|
135-155
|
|
15-45
|
4.4-4.8
|
≤25
|
300-500
|
16-20
|
27-32
|
47-51
|
|
15-53
|
4.4-4.9
|
≤25
|
300-500
|
17-22
|
30-34
|
48-55
|
|
20-60
|
4.3-4.9
|
≤25
|
300-500
|
20-25
|
32-37
|
51-61
|
|
-500 mesh (~<25μm)
|
4.5-4.8
|
/
|
500-1000
|
3.5-4.5
|
11.5-12.5
|
22-26
|
|
Mechanical Properties
|
- Tensile Strength: 505 ± 50 MPa
- Yield Strength: 166 ± 50 MPa
- Elongation: 56%
|
* Chemical composition and particle size distribution can be customized according to customer requirements.
316L Stainless Steel Powder Composition
|
Element
|
Fe
|
Cr
|
Ni
|
Mo
|
C
|
Mn
|
Si
|
|
wt%
|
Bal.
|
16~18
|
10~14
|
2~3
|
≤0.03
|
≤2.0
|
≤1.0
|
316 vs. 301 vs. 304 stainless steel: Properties Comparison
| Property |
316 Stainless Steel |
301 Stainless Steel |
304 Stainless Steel |
| Strength |
Moderate |
High |
Moderate |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Superior |
Good |
Excellent |
| Formability |
Good |
Good |
Excellent |
| Best Used For |
Harsh environments, marine applications, medical devices |
Structural components, springs |
Wide range of applications, from automotive to kitchenware |
Read more: Stainless Steel Powder: 301 vs. 304 vs. 316
316L Stainless Steel Powder Applications
316 stainless steel is a commonly used material for stainless steel. This material has extensive applications in various fields, including chemical engineering, food processing, medical devices, marine engineering, the energy industry, construction, and decoration.
With respect to 316L stainless steel powder and 316L stainless steel solid material (such as 316L stainless steel sheets or bars), it is obvious that their chemical composition is similar. Therefore, it is also similar in terms of its basic properties. However, it is undeniable that there are objective differences in terms of density and mechanical properties between parts produced from 316L stainless steel powder (such as 3D printing) and parts produced through conventional processing routes (such as forging and rolling). Accordingly, there are differences in terms of applications.
The areas where 316L stainless steel powder can be best used are as follows:
- Medical devices: It is one of the most developed areas for 316L stainless steel powder. For instance, implants, such as repairing the cranial bones or jaw bones, can be better promoted with 3D printing with powder.
- Food processing: It is very suitable for use in this area. It is particularly suitable for making components for equipment with complex internal structures. However, polishing is needed for the components after 3D printing to make them suitable for use in the food industry to avoid bacterial growth.
- Marine engineering: The corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel powder is consistent with that of solid materials. It is suitable for making complex shapes such as propellers, seawater pumps, and components for heat exchange, which can replace some of the cast components.
- Construction and decoration: It can be used for making complex shapes such as curved handrails, joint components, and decorative components. It is usually more expensive than other manufacturing methods, so it can only be used for making high-end customized components or structures with complex shapes.
In general, when the shape is intricate, the conventional process is unable to produce the required shape, or customization is required, the advantage of using 316L stainless steel powder is more pronounced compared to the use of the material in its solid form.
Read more: 3D Printing Metal Powder Series 2: Spherical 316L Stainless Steel Powder
316L Stainless Steel Powder Packaging
Our 316L Stainless Steel Powder is carefully handled during storage and transportation to preserve the quality of our product in its original condition.
FAQs about 316L stainless steel Powder
Q1: What is 316L stainless steel powder made of?
316L stainless steel is primarily composed of iron, chromium (approximately 16-18%), nickel (10-14%), and molybdenum (2-3%). Its defining characteristic is a very low carbon content, which is capped at a maximum of 0.03%.
Q2: What's the difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel?
A: The big difference is how much carbon they have. Normal 316 steel can have more carbon. 316L has much less carbon. This "L" means "Low carbon." Because 316L has less carbon, it doesn't rust as easily after welding. This makes it better for making things that need to be welded.
Q3: Can 316L stainless steel powder be used for medical implants?
A: Yes, they can. It's a very common material for things like screws and plates that help broken bones heal. The human body doesn't react badly to it, and it's strong enough for this job.
Q4: What's the best way to 3D print with 316L stainless steel powder?
A: The best way is usually with a laser. A machine spreads a thin layer of powder and then a laser melts it exactly where needed. This is called SLM or DMLS printing. It makes very strong and detailed metal parts, which are perfect for medical implants. You can also use other methods, like Binder Jetting, for some jobs.
