316 ss grade or what?
316 ss grade or what?
(OP)
Hello,
I am a starting engineer. During material selection I see 316ss as a grade sometimes, like A182 gr 316?
and sometimes 316 is given by itself like in valve trims specification?
I have read many ASTM docs and many others but one thing I cant understand is what is the meaning of A182 vs 316?
Am I guessing correctly? 316 SS - determines the content of steel(ingredients or chemical composition?) and A182 means way of manufacturing the part(eg.ball of a ball valve) and in this case it is forging that means it is forged 316?
Any answer is highly appreciated!
I am a starting engineer. During material selection I see 316ss as a grade sometimes, like A182 gr 316?
and sometimes 316 is given by itself like in valve trims specification?
I have read many ASTM docs and many others but one thing I cant understand is what is the meaning of A182 vs 316?
Am I guessing correctly? 316 SS - determines the content of steel(ingredients or chemical composition?) and A182 means way of manufacturing the part(eg.ball of a ball valve) and in this case it is forging that means it is forged 316?
Any answer is highly appreciated!





RE: 316 ss grade or what?
RE: 316 ss grade or what?
ASTM material specs, like A182, A240, A312, are specifications for the manufacture of several product forms (forgings, plate and pipe, respectively).
Each ASTM material spec includes several grades, so ASTM A182 may cover more than 30 grades. The spec only details how the grades are fabricated and tested during manufacture.
Within ASTM A182 (forgings), you can have material grade 316. This would become ASTM A182 F316. Note the 'F'.
For pipe, the material spec would be e.g. ASTM A312. If the grade is 316, this would be designated TP316 within ASTM A312 (thus ASTM A312 TP316).
ASTM A351 is for casting (e.g. valves). 316 grades within ASTM A351 are designated (I believe) ASTM A351 CF8M.
Same approach counts for EN-standards, but they work with werkstoffnumbers (e.g. EN 10222-5 1.4404 would be a 316 forging, for e.g. a flange)
RE: 316 ss grade or what?
So the alloy that we generically call 316L is S31603. And yes, there is a big book full of them.
The AISI does not assign designations any longer.
ASTM only includes common names if they have been in use for many years.
The EU has promised to start using UNS in place of the three current systems, but they seem to have neglected to say when they would do this.
Joining ASTM is easy, you don't have to attend meetings. Just sign up and pay, and you get a free volume of specifications that sells for more than your membership fee. Join a committee of interest to you (steel, tubulars, non-ferrous, etc).
Then vote by email when the ballots come out.
This will keep you informed of what changes are coming.
This is a good idea because when you write a spec number down that is the basis of the contract. You had better posses a current copy of that spec so that you know what is required. It doesn't matter if you are the buyer or seller, it is still a binding obligation.
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Plymouth Tube
RE: 316 ss grade or what?
It is always good practice to provide a specific description of what your design requires, and never leave anything open to interpretation.
RE: 316 ss grade or what?