316L Stainless Steel Powder
316L Stainless Steel Powder Supplier and Exporter
316L Stainless Steel powder (S31603) is a argon or nitrogen gas atomised austenitic stainless steel feedstock for additive manufacturing, supplied to ASTM F3184 (PBF) in 5-25 µm, 15-45 µm, 15-53 µm, 45-105 µm, 53-105 µm, 45-150 µm, 53-150 µm size fractions.
The workhorse of metal printing. Forgiving to process, weldable, and cheap enough to use for prototyping before committing to a costlier alloy.
316L Powder at a Glance
| UNS / designation | S31603 |
|---|---|
| Werkstoff (W.Nr.) | 1.4404 |
| Alloy family | Austenitic stainless steel |
| Feedstock specification | ASTM F3184 (PBF), ASTM A276 for the wrought equivalent |
| Size fractions | 5-25 µm · 15-45 µm · 15-53 µm · 45-105 µm · 53-105 µm · 45-150 µm · 53-150 µm Held in stock or arranged with the manufacturer, depending on quantity. |
| Most common cut | 45-105 µm (DED) |
| Production route | Argon or nitrogen gas atomised |
| Density | 7.99 g/cm3 |
| Melting range | 1375-1400 C |
| Composition | 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel and 2-3% molybdenum with carbon held to 0.03% maximum, which is what the L designates. |
| Minimum order | 5 kg |
| Lead time | 7 days from order confirmation |
| Price | INR 1,200 – 2,500 per kg. Indicative USD 14 – 29 per kg; quoted against grade, form, size and quantity. |
What Properties Does Printed 316L Reach?
Printed properties depend on the heat treatment, not just the alloy, so they are given per condition.
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As built | 600-700 MPa | 450-550 MPa | 40-50% | 20-25 HRC |
| Solution annealed | 500-600 MPa | 200-300 MPa | 50-60% | under 20 HRC |
Printed 316L is stronger as built than wrought 316L, because rapid solidification produces a far finer cellular structure. Annealing trades that back for ductility.
Which Processes Can 316L Powder Be Used In?
| LPBF | EBM | DED / cladding | MIM | Binder jetting | Thermal spray |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What Is 316L Powder Used For?
Medical and surgical instruments, food and pharmaceutical process parts, marine fittings, and heat exchangers.
Post-processing
Stress relief; solution annealing where maximum corrosion resistance or ductility is needed.
Should I use 316L or 17-4 PH powder?
Use 316L when corrosion resistance and ductility matter and the part is not highly loaded; it is also the easier of the two to print. Use 17-4 PH when the part needs strength, since a simple H900 age takes it past 1300 MPa. 316L corrodes better, 17-4 PH is far stronger.
Characterisation and Packing
Each batch is supplied with chemical analysis, particle size distribution by laser diffraction to ASTM B822, apparent and tap density, and flow rate by Hall or Carney funnel. Morphology imaging, oxygen and nitrogen analysis and reporting to ISO/ASTM 52907 are available where your qualification requires them.
Powder is packed under argon in sealed containers with desiccant, labelled with lot number, alloy, particle size cut and date of atomisation.
316L Powder: Frequently Asked Questions
Request a Quotation for 316L Stainless Steel Powder
Send the particle size cut, the quantity and the process you are running, and we will quote with lead time and the characterisation data you need. Call +91 7977 88 6611 or email info@auricoalloys.com.
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