Industrial-Grade 416 Stainless Steel Sheet – Excellent
Machinability SS Sheet & Plate (UNS S41600)
Product Overview
Industrial-Grade 416 Stainless Steel Sheet and Plate (UNS S41600)
is a high-performance, free-machining martensitic stainless steel
engineered for demanding industrial applications where excellent
machinability, heat-treatable hardness, and moderate corrosion
resistance are essential. With its controlled sulfur content
(minimum 0.15%), 416 stainless delivers the highest machinability
of any stainless steel, making it the material of choice for
high-volume CNC machining, precision components, and cost-sensitive
manufacturing environments.
Available in both sheet (≤6 mm) and plate (>6 mm) forms, this
industrial-grade product meets global standards including ASTM
A240, ASTM A276, AISI 416, and JIS SUS416, ensuring consistency,
reliability, and traceability for critical operations across
automotive, oil & gas, fluid control, machinery, and tooling
sectors.
⚠️ Important: Due to its sulfur content, 416 stainless steel is not
weldable and offers only moderate corrosion resistance. It is not
suitable for marine, acidic, or chloride-rich environments. For
welded or highly corrosive applications, consider 316L or 17-4PH.
Why Choose 416 Stainless Steel?
- ✅ Best-in-Class Machinability: Up to 85% more machinable than 304
stainless—reduces cycle time, tool wear, and energy use.
- ✅ Heat-Treatable: Achieve hardness up to 45 HRC via quenching and
tempering for wear-resistant parts.
- ✅ Magnetic: Ideal for sensors, actuators, solenoids, and
electromagnetic assemblies.
- ✅ Cost-Efficient: Lower machining costs + high throughput = reduced
total part cost.
- ✅ Industrial Durability: Reliable performance in dry, atmospheric,
or freshwater service conditions.
Chemical Composition (UNS S41600 / AISI 416)
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≥ 0.15 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 12.0 – 14.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤ 0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
The deliberate addition of sulfur forms manganese sulfide
inclusions that act as internal lubricants and chip breakers—key to
its free-cutting behavior.
Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|
| Tensile Strength | 515–760 MPa (75–110 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | 275–450 MPa (40–65 ksi) |
| Elongation at Break | 18–25% |
| Hardness (HB) | ≤ 220 (cold-rolled); ≤ 183 (hot-rolled) |
| Density | 7.74 g/cm³ |
After heat treatment (e.g., 1,000°C oil quench + 250°C temper):
- Hardness: 38–42 HRC
- Tensile Strength: ~1,000 MPa
Physical & Thermal Characteristics
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Melting Range | 1,450–1,510°C (2,642–2,750°F) |
| Thermal Conductivity @ 100°C | 24.9 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity @ 20°C | 460 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 10.0 µm/m·°C (20–100°C) |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.57 µΩ·m |
| Magnetic? | Yes – strongly ferromagnetic |
Machinability Comparison (Relative to B1112 = 100%)
| Stainless Grade | Machinability (%) | Tool Life vs. 304 | Surface Finish |
|---|
| 416 | 85% | +40–50% | Excellent |
| 303 | 78% | +30% | Very Good |
| 304 | 45% | Baseline | Fair |
| 316 | 40% | Reduced | Moderate |
Result: Faster feeds, higher spindle speeds, cleaner chips, and
smoother finishes—ideal for automated production lines.
Available Forms & Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|
| Product Types | Sheet (0.5–6.0 mm), Plate (6–50+ mm) |
| Processing | Cold-Rolled (precision), Hot-Rolled (economical) |
| Surface Finish | 2B, BA, No.1, HRAP (Hot-Rolled Annealed & Pickled) |
| Thickness Tolerance | Cold-rolled: ±0.05 mm; Hot-rolled: ±1% or per ASTM A480 |
| Standards | ASTM A240, ASTM A276, AISI 416, UNS S41600, JIS SUS416, EN 1.4009 |
| Certification | Mill Test Report (EN 10204 3.1), RoHS, REACH, DFARS-compliant
options |
| Packaging | VCI paper + wooden pallets; moisture-barrier sealed for export |
Typical Industrial Applications
- Valve & Pump Components: Stems, spindles, bonnets, impellers
- Automotive: Fuel fittings, sensor housings, fasteners, trim
- Machinery: Gears, bushings, shafts, jigs, fixtures
- Tooling: Custom dies, alignment pins, locating blocks
- Instrumentation: Flow meter bodies, pressure gauge parts
Heat Treatment Process
| Step | Temperature | Cooling Method | Outcome |
|---|
| Annealing | 815–900°C | Air cool | Softened structure for machining |
| Hardening | 980–1,010°C | Oil quench | Full martensite formation |
| Tempering | 150–650°C | Air cool | Optimizes hardness/toughness balance |
For wear-critical parts (e.g., valve stems): Harden → Temper at
200–300°C → Achieve 38–42 HRC.
Corrosion Resistance Guidelines
Suitable Environments:
- Dry indoor industrial settings
- Atmospheric exposure (non-coastal)
- Freshwater systems
- Steam and neutral pH fluids
Avoid In:
- Salt spray or marine atmospheres
- Chloride-containing solutions
- Strong acids (HCl, H₂SO₄) or caustics
- Welded joints (risk of hot cracking)
Tip: Electropolishing or passivation can enhance surface oxide
layer and improve mild corrosion performance.
Quality Assurance & Traceability
Every batch of our industrial-grade 416 stainless steel undergoes:
- Spectrometric chemical analysis
- Tensile and hardness testing
- Visual and dimensional inspection
- Optional ultrasonic flaw detection (for critical plate)
Full Mill Test Reports (MTRs) with heat number traceability
provided with every shipment.
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Ordering & Support
- Minimum Order: 50 kg
- Lead Time: 3–7 days (standard stock); 2–3 weeks (custom
sizes/finishes)
- Global Shipping: FOB from USA, Germany, Singapore warehouses
- Technical Assistance: Material selection, DFM review,
heat-treatment consultation
Request a free sample or CAD-ready dimension sheet to accelerate
your prototyping phase.
Final Recommendation
For industrial manufacturers seeking a cost-effective,
high-machinability stainless steel that supports precision
machining, magnetic functionality, and post-process hardening, 416
stainless steel (UNS S41600) remains unmatched in its class. By
selecting the appropriate form—cold-rolled for tight-tolerance
parts or hot-rolled for heavy blanks—you optimize both performance
and production economics.
When welding and extreme corrosion resistance aren’t required, 416
is the smart, scalable solution for high-volume industrial
components.