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Sheet metal in Stainless steel 316
Stainless steel 316 is a proven choice for sheet metal: pitting resistance equivalent number (pren) of about 24, versus about 19 for 304. On a representative bracket at 100 pieces it estimates at about $3.80 per part, with a lead time of 5–12 days. Typical tolerance is ±0.004–0.005 in (±0.10–0.13 mm) laser or punch.
- Per part
- $3.80
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 5–12 days
Price it in 316 SS
Bracket · Sheet metal
Order total $500
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $3.80
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 5–12 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Width60.060.0 mm
Leg A (vertical)50.050.0 mm
Thickness2.002.00 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity100100 pcs
Material
R2 mm bend risks cracking 316 SS
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
316 SS vs other sheet metal materials
The same bracket at 100 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. 6061-T6 is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | $3.68 | $4.88 | 37 g | 310 MPa |
| Aluminum 5052-H32 | $3.68 | $4.88 | 37 g | 228 MPa |
| Steel 1008 cold-rolled (CRS) | $3.72 | $4.92 | 108 g | 330 MPa |
| Steel A36 (structural) | $3.72 | $4.92 | 108 g | 450 MPa |
| Stainless steel 304 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 110 g | 505 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 110 g | 580 MPa |
| Stainless steel 430 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 107 g | 483 MPa |
| Copper C110 (ETP) | $4.91 | $6.11 | 123 g | 290 MPa |
316 SS at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 580 MPa82th pct
- Yield strength
- 290 MPa55th pct
- Density
- 8 g/cm³89th pct
- Max service temp
- 925 °C97th pct
- Elongation
- 50 %70th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) of about 24, versus about 19 for 304
- Standard for marine hardware, pharmaceutical and food processing equipment
- 316L variant welds without sensitization
- Better strength and creep resistance than 304 at high temperature
Watch for
- Still pits in warm seawater and tight crevices; use duplex 2205 or super-austenitic grades
- About 36% machinability; work-hardens
- Costs about one-third more than 304
- Galls in threaded and sliding contact
Finishes for this combination
Sheet metal design rules
About 1× material thickness, or the shop's standard tooling radius
Use a standard inside bend radius
Use the same inside radius on every bend
Keep one radius per part
At least 4× material thickness
Minimum flange length
At least 2.5× thickness plus the bend radius
Hole-to-bend distance
At least 1× material thickness
Minimum hole diameter
Relief width at least 1× thickness; length at least bend radius plus thickness
Add bend relief
Questions
How much does sheet metal in 316 SS cost?
For a representative part (l-bracket 50 mm × 70 mm legs, 60 mm wide, 2 mm thick, r2 mm bend, 4 × ø5.5 mm holes), SSG's estimator gives about $3.80 per part at 100 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $5.00 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 316 SS a good material for sheet metal?
It is when you need pitting resistance equivalent number (pren) of about 24, versus about 19 for 304 and standard for marine hardware, pharmaceutical and food processing equipment. Watch for still pits in warm seawater and tight crevices; use duplex 2205 or super-austenitic grades. Of 8 materials run in sheet metal, it ranks 6 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 316 SS sheet metal parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), passivation, laser marking. The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can sheet metal hold in 316 SS?
Typical capability is ±0.004–0.005 in (±0.10–0.13 mm) laser or punch. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote sheet metal in 316 SS.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.