3 7/8 Stainless Steel Hex Bar 316

​Stainless Steel Hex Bar 316 – Product Details

Product Overview
The ​316 stainless steel hex bar is a premium austenitic alloy engineered for extreme durability and corrosion resistance. As a specialized variant of the ​stainless steel hex bar, it incorporates molybdenum (2-3%) to enhance performance in aggressive environments such as marine, chemical, and industrial applications. Its hexagonal cross-section provides superior mechanical grip and alignment for fasteners, valves, shafts, and custom machinery components, combining functionality with aesthetic versatility.

​Technical Specifications

​Mechanical & Physical Properties

​Tensile Strength

The ​316 stainless steel hex bar delivers a ​tensile strength of 580 MPa (84 ksi), ensuring exceptional resistance to deformation under heavy loads. This property is critical for high-stress applications such as marine propeller shafts, chemical reactor components, and industrial fasteners. The molybdenum content enhances resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, even in chloride-rich environments like offshore platforms or coastal installations. The hexagonal geometry distributes stress evenly across the bar, reducing localized wear and extending service life.

​Bend Strength

With a ​bend strength of 290 MPa (42 ksi), this alloy maintains structural integrity during fabrication processes like bending, machining, or welding. The hexagonal shape’s six-sided symmetry allows for precise alignment in tooling and machinery, minimizing material waste. This makes the ​stainless steel hex bar ideal for applications requiring tight tolerances, such as hydraulic fittings, valve stems, and custom automotive parts.

​Identification Marking

Each ​316 stainless steel hex bar is laser-etched with permanent identifiers, including the grade (e.g., “316” or “316L”), batch number, and manufacturer certification codes. This ensures full traceability and compliance with international standards such as ​ASTM A276 and ​ASME SB829. The non-invasive marking process preserves the material’s corrosion resistance and surface integrity.

​Weight Calculation

Calculate the weight of a ​stainless steel hex bar using the formula:
Weight (kg/m) = 0.0068 × (Across Flats in mm)² × Length (m)
Example: A 25mm (1″) hex bar weighs ​4.25 kg/m, while a 50mm (2″) bar weighs ​17 kg/m. This formula aids engineers in estimating material costs, shipping logistics, and structural load capacities. For imperial measurements, use:
Weight (lb/ft) = 0.2833 × (Across Flats in inches)²

​Why Does Stainless Steel Rust?

Although the ​316 stainless steel hex bar is highly corrosion-resistant, localized rust may occur under extreme conditions:

1. ​Chloride Exposure: Prolonged contact with seawater, road salts, or bleach can compromise the passive chromium oxide layer, leading to pitting corrosion. This is particularly problematic in stagnant or low-oxygen environments.
2. ​Galvanic Corrosion: Direct contact with dissimilar metals (e.g., carbon steel, copper) in conductive environments (humidity, saltwater) creates electrochemical reactions, accelerating corrosion.
3. ​Surface Contamination: Residual iron particles from grinding tools, cutting equipment, or improper handling can embed into the surface, forming rust-prone areas.
4. ​High-Temperature Oxidation: Prolonged exposure above 400°C (750°F) causes chromium depletion, reducing corrosion resistance and leading to scaling.

Prevention Strategies:

• ​Regular Cleaning: Use pH-neutral detergents and non-abrasive tools to remove chlorides and contaminants.
• ​Passivation: Treat surfaces with nitric acid (20-50% concentration) to restore the chromium oxide layer.
• ​Isolation: Use non-conductive gaskets or coatings to separate the ​stainless steel hex bar from dissimilar metals.
• ​Environmental Control: Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorides or extreme temperatures.

​Applications

• ​Marine & Offshore: Propeller shafts, hydraulic fittings, desalination plant components.
• ​Chemical Processing: Valve stems, pump shafts, reactor agitators.
• ​Industrial Machinery: Fasteners, tooling shafts, conveyor system rollers.
• ​Architectural: Decorative railings, custom bolts, structural connectors.
• ​Automotive: Suspension components, exhaust system fasteners, custom brackets.

​Why Choose Our Stainless Steel Hex Bars?

1. ​Certified Quality:
   • Compliant with ​ASTM A276, ​ASME SB829, and ​EN 10088-2 standards.
   • Mill test reports (MTRs) provided for chemical composition, mechanical properties, and heat treatment.
2. ​Custom Solutions:
   • Tailored ​stainless steel hex bar sizes, lengths, and surface finishes (polished, annealed, sandblasted).
   • Precision CNC machining, centerless grinding, and threading services.
3. ​Competitive Pricing:
   • Bulk order discounts and low minimum order quantities (MOQs) for small businesses.
4. ​Global Logistics:
   • Fast shipping via air, sea, or land with real-time tracking and customs clearance support.
   • Warehouses in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.
5. ​Expert Support:
   • Technical guidance on machining tolerances, welding techniques (TIG/MIG), and corrosion prevention.