316/316L Stainless Steel Beams

316 and 316L stainless steel beams find use in structural applications across a wide range of industries. As stainless steel demonstrates excellent strength and corrosion resistance, it is an ideal material for environments that contain corrosive chemicals or experience extreme temperature changes. When used in such applications, stainless steel beams create structures that are safe, efficient to build, and cost-effective.

At Stainless Shapes, Inc., we supply a variety of metal forms, including stainless steel beams. With over 25 years of experience providing the industrial and commercial sectors with metal products and an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility, our team has the knowledge and equipment to provide you with the highest quality stainless steel beams. Our stainless steel beams meet the following ASTM International standards:

  • ASTM 276
  • ASTM A484
  • ASTM A479/A479M

316 Stainless Steel Properties

Stainless steel is available in many varieties, each of which suits varying applications. Some key properties that make 316 stainless steel the optimal choice for use in structural beams include its:

  • Corrosion resistance. 316 stainless steel is well-suited for building structures in marine or moist environments. The material resists oxidation, which keeps it stronger and in good condition for longer.
  • Pitting resistance. Unlike other types of stainless steel (such as 304), with 316 stainless steel material, building managers don’t have to worry about the formation of holes or pitting.
  • Heat resistance. Part of the 316’s oxidation resistance stems from its resistance to heat damage. As the temperature increases, the material becomes stronger and demonstrates better creep, stress-rupture, and tensile strength.
  • 316 stainless steel responds well to welding. Subtypes of grade 316, such as 316L and 316Ti, offer even better weldability.
  • Chemical resistance. 316 steel can withstand highly acidic environments. This quality makes the material ideal for chemical processing applications.

316 stainless steel comes in several subtypes, such as 316L. Compared to standard 316 stainless steel, 316L contains less carbon, making it better suited for applications involving significant amounts of welding or high-temperature environments. Although both 316 and 316L produce durable and long-lasting beams, industry professionals tend to choose 316L for use in corrosive environments, such as those found in marine or building and construction applications.

At Stainless Shapes, we provide both 316/316L stainless steel beams for the following industries:

In particular, facilities in the oil and gas and wastewater treatment industries require construction materials that can withstand demanding operating and environmental requirements. Wastewater treatment facilities need the corrosion and chemical resistance that 316 stainless steel beams and parts provide, while oil and gas facilities need damage-resistant material that can handle extremely high temperatures and resist oil-based corrosion.

Why Choose Stainless Shapes, Inc. for 316 Stainless Steel Beams?

At Stainless Shapes, we construct 316 stainless steel beams using extrusion, hot rolling, and laser fusing processes. We offer our 316/316L stainless steel beams in a variety of shapes, including:

  • I Beams, which are solid, lightweight beams commonly used in construction projects
  • S Beams (American Standard Beams), which are I beams with the standard dimensions found in American constructions
  • H Beams, which are stronger, reinforced, and made from three separate pieces of metal
  • W Beams, which have wide, equally thick flanges

By partnering with us for your stainless steel beam needs, you experience the following advantages:

  • Quality products. We maintain and apply an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system (QMS). By implementing our QMS, we aim to increase the quality of our products and the satisfaction of our customers.
  • Competitive prices. We offer quality stainless steel products at lower costs.
  • Start-to-finish customer service and support. We have an experienced customer service team that can answer your questions before, during, and after your order.
  • Convenient sales support and fast delivery. We maintain sales locations in Florida and Illinois and shipping locations in eight states so you can complete and receive your order quickly, no matter where you’re located.

Request a Quote Today to Get Your Beam Order Started

316 and 316L stainless steel are strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant materials suitable for use in structural applications. If you’re looking for beams made from these alloys for your next project, we can provide you with both standard (20 feet) and custom lengths to meet your exact project specifications. Request a quote today to get your order started.

Furthermore, for a prompt and accurate quote, call us today.

Call - 800-748-9811

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary disadvantages of 316 stainless steel are its higher cost compared to 304 (due to molybdenum and additional nickel content), and the fact that it is still susceptible to stress corrosion cracking at elevated temperatures in highly concentrated chloride environments. It also has slightly lower yield strength than some specialized alloys and is not immune to pitting in extreme acidic or high-chloride conditions.

316 stainless steel is extremely long-lasting—in typical environments, it can last decades to a lifetime. In marine or chemical environments, properly maintained 316 components regularly achieve 20–50+ years of service life. Offshore structures, food-processing equipment, and pharmaceutical vessels made from 316 are designed for continuous use with minimal maintenance.

316 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and will not rust under normal conditions. However, in extreme environments with very high chloride concentrations, elevated temperatures, or prolonged contact with strong acids, surface staining or localized corrosion can occur. Regular cleaning and proper material selection (e.g., using 316L for welded assemblies) minimizes any risk.

The most reliable field test is a positive material identification (PMI) device or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, which reads the alloy composition. Without equipment, 304 and 316 look nearly identical. 316 is slightly more expensive and will often be marked on the mill test report. Some customers submit samples to a metallurgical lab for chemical analysis to confirm the grade.

When people say 'stainless steel' generically, they often mean 304, which is the most common grade. 316 stainless steel is a specific grade within the austenitic family that adds 2–3% molybdenum, giving it significantly better resistance to chloride pitting, crevice corrosion, and chemical attack. For a stainless steel beam in a marine or chemical environment, 316 is the appropriate specification.

Yes, Stainless Shapes distributes 316 stainless steel beams (both I-beams and H-beams). These are used in applications where 304 would not provide adequate corrosion resistance—marine structures, chemical processing platforms, food manufacturing, offshore equipment, and coastal construction.

For corrosive environments such as marine or chemical facilities, 316 stainless steel is one of the best beam materials available. It combines structural integrity with excellent corrosion resistance without requiring protective coatings. For standard construction, carbon steel with galvanizing or painting is more economical. For hygienic or highly corrosive applications, 316 stainless is the preferred specification.

Galvanic corrosion can occur when 316 stainless steel is in contact with dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte. Carbon steel and aluminum are particularly problematic partners for stainless steel in wet or marine environments, as the stainless acts as a cathode and accelerates corrosion of the less noble metal. Use isolation materials, coatings, or stainless hardware throughout to avoid galvanic coupling.

No metal is completely immune to corrosion in all conditions. Among commonly available grades, 316 stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance across a wide range of environments. For extreme conditions, higher alloys such as Duplex 2205, 904L, or Hastelloy grades provide even better performance, but at significantly higher cost.

Avoid bleach (sodium hypochlorite), hydrochloric acid, and highly concentrated chloride solutions on 316 stainless steel. These can break down the passive oxide layer and cause pitting or crevice corrosion. Also avoid using carbon steel wire brushes or tools on the stainless surface, as iron particles can become embedded and cause rust spots.

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