An Overview On Stainless Steel 310 And 316 Flanges

By Author: Jeeten Gupta
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Stainless steel 310 Flanges are a medium carbon heat resilient with excellent resistance to oxidation under mildly cyclic conditions through 2000 F. Stainless steel 310 Flanges has high chromium & nickel contents which provide comparable corrosion resistance, superior resistance to oxidation & the retention of a larger fraction of room temperature strength than the mutual austenitic alloys like Type 304. Stainless Steel 310 Flanges can be used at cryogenic temperatures, due to excellent toughness up to -450 degree F, & low magnetic permeability.

Characteristics of 310 Stainless Steel Flanges
Oxidation resistance to 2000 degree F
Moderate strength at high temperature
Resistance to hot corrosion
Strength & toughness at cryogenic temperatures
Properties of Grade 310 Stainless Steel Flanges
SS 310 grades contain 25 percent chromium & 20 percent nickel, making it highly resistant to oxidation & corrosion. The high chromium & medium nickel content make capable of applications in reducing sulfur atmospheres containing Hydrogen sulfide. Stainless Steel 310 Flanges ...
... are widely used in moderately carburizing atmospheres, as encountered in petrochemical environments.

In common with other austenitic stainless steel, these grades cannot be hardened by heat treatment. They can be hardened by cold work, but this is rarely practiced. Type 310 is already fabricated by standard commercial procedures. Stainless Steel 310 can be welded using all of the common welding processes.

Typical Applications for 310 Stainless Steel Flanges
Kilns
Heat Exchangers
Radiant Tubes
Muffles, retorts, annealing covers
Tube hangers for petroleum refining & steam boilers
Coal gasifier internal components
Saggers
Furnace parts, oven linings, fans, conveyor belts, rollers
Food processing equipment
Cryogenic structures
Stainless Steel 316 Flanges
Stainless Steel 316 Flanges are the standard molybdenum-bearing flanges, the molybdenum gives 316 Flanges better overall corrosion resistant properties, particularly higher pitting & crevice corrosion in chloride environments. It has excellent forming & welding characteristics. Grade 316 also has outstanding welding characteristics. The austenitic structure also gives these flanges exceptional toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.

Properties of Grade 316 Stainless Steel Flanges
Excellent in a range of atmospheric environments & many corrosive media – generally more resistant than 304. Subject to pitting & crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, & to stress corrosion cracking above about 60 degrees C.

SS 316 grade is usually regarded as the standard “marine grade stainless steel”, but it is not resistant to warm seawater. In many marine environments, Stainless Steel 316 Flanges does exhibit surface corrosion, usually visible as brown staining which is particularly associated with crevices & rough surface finish.

Good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 870 degrees C & in continuous service to 925 degrees C. Continuous use of 316 in the 425°-860° C range is not suggested if subsequent aqueous corrosion resistance is important.

Typical Applications for 316 Stainless Steel Flanges
Food preparation equipment particularly in chloride environments.
Laboratory benches & equipment.
Coastal architectural paneling, railings & trim.
Boat fittings.
Chemical containers, including for transport.
Heat Exchangers.
Threaded fasteners.
Springs.