Stainless Steel 316 Instrumentation Tubes Specifications

The following table shows the detailed specifications of Alloy 316 Instrumentation Tubes covering its sizes, form, finishes and other details.

Parameter Details
StandardsASTM A213, ASTM A269, EN 10216-5, ASME SA213
Outside Diameter (OD)1/16" to 2" (6 mm to 50.8 mm)
Wall Thickness0.010" to 0.188" (0.2 mm to 4.78 mm)
Length6 Metres, 20 Feet, or Coiled lengths up to 1000m
FormsRound, Seamless, Straight, or Coiled
FinishBright Annealed (BA), Polished (Grit 180, 240, 320, 400), AP
End TypePlain End, Bevelled End, Swagelok-type compatible
HardnessMax 80 HRB (Rockwell B) for easy bending/flaring

Available Sizes of Stainless Steel 316 Instrumentation Tubes

SS 316 instrumentation tubes come in fractional (imperial) and metric outside diameters. Standard straight lengths are 6 metres (20 feet); coils and custom cut-to-length are available as per client specification.

Fractional Sizes (Imperial)

OD (in.) Wall Thickness (in.) Available Walls
1/4"0.035", 0.049", 0.065"3 options
3/8"0.035", 0.049", 0.065"3 options
1/2"0.035", 0.049", 0.065"3 options

Metric Sizes

Metric OD ranges from 6.00 mm to 25.4 mm as standard stock, with sizes up to 60.00 mm available on request. Wall thickness spans 0.6 mm to 6.00 mm.

Stainless Steel 316 Instrumentation Tubes Price

SS 316 instrumentation tube prices in India range from approximately ₹200 to ₹340 per kg and range between $2.85 and $10.50 per kg. International pricing varies by OD, wall thickness, length, quantity, and finish (annealed and pickled vs bright annealed). Raw material market rates also affect the final cost. Contact Sachiya Steel International for a quote on your specific requirements.

Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel 316 Instrumentation Tubes

Grade TP316 chemical composition per ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213 is listed in the table given below.

Carbon C
0.08% max
Manganese Mn
2.00% max
Phosphorus P
0.045% max
Sulfur S
0.030% max
Silicon Si
1.00% max
Chromium Cr
16.0 - 18.0%
Nickel Ni
10.0 - 14.0%
Molybdenum Mo
2.00 - 3.00%
Nitrogen N
0.10% max

Mechanical Properties of 316 Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubes

Per ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213, Grade TP316 instrumentation tubes meet these minimum values.

75 / 515
ksi / MPa (min)
Tensile Strength
30 / 205
ksi / MPa (min)
Yield Strength
35%
(min, in 2 in.)
Elongation
Property Value
Tensile Strength (min)75 ksi (515 MPa)
Yield Strength, 0.2% Offset (min)30 ksi (205 MPa)
Elongation in 2 in. (min)35%
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Equivalent Grades of 316 Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing

Stainless Steel 316 carries different designations across international standards. All designations refer to the same austenitic, molybdenum-bearing composition.

Standard Designation
UNSS31600
EN1.4401 / X5CrNiMo17-12-2
JISSUS316
GB06Cr17Ni12Mo2
BS316S31
AFNORZ6CND17-11

Pressure Ratings for Stainless Steel 316 Instrumentation Tubing

This table outlines the maximum allowable working pressures for common SS 316 instrumentation tube sizes.

Tube OD (Inch) 0.028" WT (psig) 0.035" WT (psig) 0.049" WT (psig) 0.065" WT (psig) 0.083" WT (psig)
1/8"8,50010,900
1/4"4,0005,1007,50010,200
3/8"3,3004,8006,500
1/2"2,6003,7005,1006,700
3/4"2,4003,3004,200
1"2,4003,100

Industrial Applications of Stainless Steel 316 Instrumentation Tubes

SS 316 instrumentation tubes serve 4 major sectors: oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, power generation, and pharmaceutical/food processing.

Oil & Gas

316 tubes are used for offshore platform pressure lines and seawater hydraulic control systems.

Chemical & Petrochemical Processing

In order to withstand acid and chloride fluids, it is utilised in the sensing lines and gauge connections of the reactor.

Power Generation

Steam pressure sensing circuits and boiler feed-water sampling systems in thermal and nuclear power facilities use 316 SS instrument tubes.

Pharmaceutical & Food Processing

Used in sanitary lines and steam sterilisation systems for high cleanliness and easy maintenance.

Stainless Steel 316 vs Stainless Steel 304 Instrumentation Tubes

SS 316 instrumentation tubes have 2–3.00% molybdenum, unlike SS 304. Molybdenum reduces chloride pitting and crevice corrosion. Select 316 for offshore, marine, and chemical use. SS 304 can handle milder air without chloride.

Feature Stainless Steel 316 Stainless Steel 304
Alloying Element2.0% - 3.0% MolybdenumNone
Pitting Resistance (PREN)Higher (~24.2)Lower (~19.0)
Chloride ResistanceExcellent (Seawater/Brine)Susceptible to chloride stress corrosion cracking under certain conditions
Surface FinishTypically Bright Annealed (BA)Typically Bright Annealed (BA)
Typical ApplicationOil & Gas, Marine, PharmaFood, Beverage, HVAC
Relative CostPremium (~20-30% higher)Standard / Economical

Shipping and Packaging

Main export packaging setup Heavy-duty wooden boxes Packing
Export Packaging Standard

We strictly follow seaworthy export handling standards to protect SS 316 instrumentation tubes from transit damage, moisture ingress, and surface contamination during long-distance dispatch.

  • Heavy-duty wooden boxes with moisture barrier lining
  • HDPE stretch film wrapping on all bundles
  • Plastic end caps on threaded and plain-end pipes
  • Silica gel desiccants to minimize moisture exposure
  • ISPM-15 fumigated wooden packaging for export
shipping preparation Pipe Bundle Yard Staging
Shipping packaging Container End-Cap Protection
Shipping stock Wrapped Export-Ready Bundles

We Export Worldwide

Sachiya Steel International supplies stainless steel products to major industrial markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa with export-ready documentation and logistics support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Sizes are Available for SS 316 Instrumentation Tubes? +
Standard stock covers outside diameters from 1/4″ to 1/2″ (6.35 mm to 12.7 mm), with wall thicknesses of 0.035″, 0.049″, and 0.065″. Custom sizes up to 1″ OD and metric sizes up to 60.00 mm are available on request.
What is the Difference between Seamless and Welded 316 Instrumentation Tubing? +
Seamless tubing, which is cold-drawn from solid billets without seams, can handle more pressure. Welded tube is made via strip-forming, TIG/ERW welding, and cold-drawing, and it is a cheap option for low-pressure uses.
What ASTM Specifications cover 316 Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubes? +
ASTM A269 covers seamless and welded tubing for general service. ASTM A213 covers seamless tubes for boiler and heat-exchanger use. ASTM A249 covers welded tubes in pressure service.
What is the Price of SS 316 Instrumentation Tubes? +
Ranging from ₹200 to ₹340 per kilogram in India, prices depend on outer diameter, wall thickness, quantity, and finish. Current market rates also play a role, so solicit a quotation for precise pricing.
Can 316 Instrumentation Tubes be Used at Cryogenic Temperatures? +
Yes. Tough even at cryogenic temperatures, the austenitic structure of 316 stainless steel is ideal for LNG facilities. It handles low-temperature process sensing and extreme cold without becoming brittle.
Why Choose 316 over 304 for Instrumentation Tubing? +
316 contains 2.00–3.00% molybdenum, which 304 lacks. Molybdenum provides stronger pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride environments. Offshore, marine, and chemical installations require this protection.
What Surface Finishes are Available for 316 Instrumentation Tubing? +
Four conditions are standard: annealed and pickled, bright annealed, mill finish, and polished. Bright annealed provides the smoothest internal bore for high-purity analytical instrumentation.
What Standard Lengths do 316 Instrumentation Tubes Come In? +
Standard straight lengths are 6 metres (20 feet). Coiled tubing is available for longer continuous runs, and custom cut-to-length is provided on request.

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