316L Grade Stainless Steel Ribbon Wire | 0.8 x 0.1mm | 232g Spool

Stainless Steel Ribbon Wire

We offer stainless steel ribbon wire in a variety of tensile strengths and spool sizes to suit your needs. It is possible to order wires that have been soft annealed or hard drawn.

The 316L Grade Stainless Steel Ribbon Wire available from Specialty Metals weighs 232g a spool and measures 0.8 x 0.1mm a spool. With its versatility and durability, this product can be used in a wide range of applications. As an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, it is ideal for electrical cabling, heating elements, and soldering. Medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and food processing industries benefit from stainless steel ribbon wire’s hygienic properties. In addition, this product is recyclable and corrosion-resistant, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective. You can ensure optimum performance of your applications with Speciality Metals’ 316L Grade Stainless Steel Ribbon Wire, which provides strength, durability, and reliability.

Our massive range of wire is courtesy of our relationship with our sister business – Crazy Wire Company.  The Crazy Wire Company offer unrivalled range of round, ribbon and flat wire in many spool size options.  Our businesses all operate out of the same facility, and our order fulfilment and service are second to none.

About The Wire

The specification of this wire spool is:

• Diameter – 0.8mm x 0.1mm
• Ohms – 9.37
• Weight – 232g (0.232kg)

We also are the exact suppliers for you because:

• FREE UK delivery on all orders
• Order dispatch within 24 hours of order
• Located in Warrington, UK which is the UK home of mesh and metals
• Our experienced staff are experts in the mesh market and care personally about your customer experience

Furthermore we stock a vast range of wire options that compliment our mesh range perfectly.

FAQs About This Product

How Does Stainless Steel 316L Wire Resist Oxidation?

Stainless steel 316L wire exhibits excellent resistance to oxidation due to the inherent protective qualities of its alloying elements. The primary factor contributing to its oxidation resistance is the formation of a passive oxide layer on its surface. This layer, primarily composed of chromium oxide, forms spontaneously when the steel is exposed to oxygen in the air or water. The presence of chromium in the alloy — typically around 16-18% — ensures the formation of this thin, adherent, and self-healing film.

This passive film acts as a barrier that prevents further oxygen infiltration and oxidation of the underlying material. Even when the surface is scratched or otherwise damaged, the exposed steel will react with oxygen to repair and reform this protective layer, ensuring continuous protection. Furthermore, the inclusion of molybdenum in the 316L grade enhances resistance to chloride environments, thereby preventing breakdown of the passive layer in saline or marine conditions, which can lead to pitting or crevice corrosion.

It’s worth noting that while this passive layer is robust and protective under many conditions, certain environments, particularly those rich in chlorides or at elevated temperatures, can challenge the stability of this layer. However, for most general-purpose applications, the passive layer on 316L provides reliable protection against oxidation.

Is Stainless Steel 316L Suitable for Use in Acidic Environments?

Stainless steel 316L offers enhanced resistance to a variety of chemical environments, including certain acidic conditions, thanks to its unique alloy composition. The addition of molybdenum (typically 2-3%) in its alloy mix gives 316L an edge in resisting acidic agents, especially when compared to its 304 counterpart.

However, the extent of its suitability in acidic environments largely depends on the specific acid type, concentration, and the temperature of exposure. For instance, 316L displays good resistance to sulfuric, phosphoric, and acetic acids at moderate concentrations and temperatures. But, its performance can be compromised when exposed to higher concentrations of these acids or in elevated temperature conditions. Moreover, it is worth noting that in the presence of chlorides, even mild acids can pose a threat, leading to pitting or crevice corrosion.

Therefore, while 316L can be a suitable choice for many acidic environments, it’s essential to evaluate the specifics of the application meticulously. In extremely corrosive acidic conditions, more specialised alloys such as Hastelloy or alloy 904L might be more appropriate. Always ensure thorough compatibility checks before deploying 316L, or any material, in a challenging chemical environment.

Does Stainless Steel 316L Have Good Formability?

Yes, stainless steel 316L possesses good formability, which is one of the reasons it’s widely used in various applications that require shaping and forming. Its austenitic structure imparts excellent ductility, allowing the material to be formed into complex shapes without cracking or fracturing.

Several factors contribute to its formability:

1. Lower Carbon Content: The “L” in 316L stands for “low carbon”. This reduced carbon content helps minimise the risk of carbide precipitation at grain boundaries, especially during welding or prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. Carbide precipitation can lead to decreased corrosion resistance and can also affect the material’s formability.

2. Cold Working: 316L can be cold worked to increase its strength and hardness, but even after such processes, it retains a good degree of formability.

3. Work Hardening: While 316L is formable, it has a higher rate of work hardening compared to some other stainless steels. This means that while it can be shaped, it becomes stronger and harder as it’s deformed, which may require adjustments in processing techniques if extensive forming is required.

4. Annealing: If the steel becomes too hard after extensive working, it can be annealed to restore some of its ductility. This involves heating the steel and then cooling it to soften the material, making further forming processes easier.

What’s the Electrical Conductivity of Stainless Steel 316L Wire?

Stainless steel 316L, like most stainless steels, is not particularly well-known for its electrical conductivity, especially when compared to materials like copper or silver. Its electrical conductivity is significantly lower due to its alloying elements and the metallic structures formed.

The electrical conductivity of stainless steel is typically in the range of 1-3% of that of copper, depending on the specific grade and conditions. For 316L stainless steel, this value is approximately 2.5% of standard copper’s conductivity, translating to around 1.45 x 10^6 S/m (Siemens per meter) at room temperature.

The reduced electrical conductivity can be attributed to the presence of chromium, molybdenum, and nickel in the alloy. These elements, while imparting the steel with its sought-after corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, limit the free movement of electrons, thus reducing its ability to conduct electricity efficiently.

While stainless steel 316L isn’t chosen for applications that require high electrical conductivity, its resistance to corrosion, combined with its mechanical properties, makes it ideal for environments where both structural integrity and some degree of electrical conduction are needed, though not at the levels offered by materials like copper or aluminum.

What’s the Life Expectancy of Stainless Steel S316L Wire in Typical Applications?

The life expectancy of stainless steel 316L (S316L) wire in typical applications is influenced by several factors, including environmental conditions, the specific application, maintenance practices, and potential exposure to corrosive agents. Given its composition and characteristics, SS316L is designed for longevity, especially in environments that might cause other materials to deteriorate rapidly.

1. Corrosion Resistance: The primary advantage of S316L is its enhanced resistance to corrosion, especially in chloride environments. This means that in marine applications, or in environments where salt exposure is frequent, S316L is expected to outlast many other materials.

2. Acidic Environments: In moderate acidic conditions, S316L shows decent resistance, but its lifespan might be reduced if exposed to high concentrations of strong acids or in the presence of chlorides.

3. Temperature: S316L maintains its structural integrity in both high and low temperatures, though prolonged exposure to temperatures above 800°F (425°C) can cause some reduction in its corrosion resistance.

4. Physical Wear and Tear: Like all materials, constant physical abrasion or stress can reduce the life expectancy of S316L wire.

5. Maintenance: Proper cleaning and maintenance can significantly prolong the life of S316L. Regular inspections for signs of corrosion or wear, and cleaning to remove salt or other deposits, can help the material last longer.

Check out our blog discussing ‘Now Available: Stainless Steel Wire‘. It will prove a useful read to help you to make an informed decision on which material would work best for you. 

We are also very proud of our ever expanding YouTube channel. 

Our goal for our blogs, videos and help guides is to answer as many questions as possible to help to explain the possibilities of mesh to our customers.  Contact us today if you have any questions at all. We are always really keen to help in any way that we can.

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