Laser cut 316 Stainless Steel sheet metal parts

For when you need greater resistance to the elements than 304 can provide, 316 stainless steel is here to meet your needs. Stronger, more durable, and more resistant, laser cut 316 stainless steel will bring the muscle to your next outdoor project.

316 Stainless Steel size and thickness options

Min/max sizes for cutting:

Instant quote
A: .25″ x .375″
B: 30″ x 44″

Custom quote
C: 30″ x 56″

This Material is available at SendCutSend with a range of thicknesses and part sizes. Instant quotes are possible for dimensions between .25" x .375" and 30" x 44", while custom quoting extends the maximum size to 30" x 56".

Available Thicknesses:

.060″ (1.52mm)
.125″ (3.18mm)

.187″ (4.75mm)
.250″ (6.35mm)

316 Stainless Steel sheet metal material details and specifications

.060" 316 Stainless Steel

.125" 316 Stainless Steel

.187" 316 Stainless Steel

.250" 316 Stainless Steel

1.52mm Stainless Steel

3.18mm Stainless Steel

4.75mm 316 Stainless Steel

6.35mm Stainless Steel

Thickness finish variations

Thicknesses greater than .125″ will have a factory #1 mill finish. When not deburred, the appearance will be dull with visible mill scaling.

Get started with instant pricing with a sample file!

Get started with instant pricing!

316 Stainless Steel feature chart

Strength

Corrosion Resistance

Weldability

Toughness

Formability

Machinability

Heat Treating

Strength-to-Weight Ratio

What is 316 Stainless Steel?

With high amounts of nickel and chromium and a lower carbon count than other stainless varieties, 316 is highly corrosion resistant. Able to remain corrosion resistant across many different environments makes this steel an important material in modern industries.

What can you make with 316 Stainless Steel parts?

Our 316 stainless steel is very similar to 304 in application, but this material differs in one major area: corrosion resistance. By alloying molybdenum into its composition, 316 circumvents 304’s common pitfalls when it comes to rusting. Specifically, 316 is adept at resisting corrosion caused by chloride exposure. This means that it’s great for holding tanks that could come into contact with corrosive liquids, such as sea water, or chlorine.

SendCutSend’s laser cut 316 stainless steel will live up to your highest expectations regarding strength and corrosion resistance. While it’s not as easy to machine as 304 stainless steel, it makes up for that in the durability it will bring to your next project. And machining is our wheelhouse, so you just sit back while we laser cut all your 316 stainless steel parts.

Our laser cut Stainless Steel is guaranteed

We guarantee awesome quality parts. If you’re not 100% happy, we’ll give you a refund or remake on the spot – no questions, no hassle.

SendCutSend's custom laser cut 316 stainless steel parts come with a money-back guarantee

316 Stainless Steel FAQs

SendCutSend offers 316 Stainless Steel in four thickness options: .060″(1.52), .125″(3.18mm), .187″(4.75mm), and .250(6.35mm).

With SendCutSend’s 316 Stainless Steel offering, you can get parts instantly quoted if they fall between .25″ x .375″ and 30″ x 34″. For larger parts, custom quotes are available for sizes up to 30″ x 56″.

You can add the following services to your 316 Stainless Steel parts:
Bending, Deburring, Dimple Forming, Hardware Insertion, Powder Coating, Tapping, and Tumbling

Start your first SendCutSend project today!

Upload your CAD design, or try one of our customizable part templates to get instant pricing on your custom laser cut parts. All delivered to your door in a matter of days.

316 Stainless Steel (marine grade): Corrosion resistance, cutting, and applications

Key Things to Know About 316 Stainless Steel

Top 5 Must-Know Things About 316 Stainless

  • 316 stainless steel is an austenitic alloy with added molybdenum for superior chloride resistance.
  • Commonly called “marine grade stainless” for its performance in saltwater and harsh environments.
  • SendCutSend laser cuts 316 stainless with ±0.005″ tolerance using fiber lasers.
  • Available in multiple thicknesses up to 0.500″, shipped in 2–4 business days.
  • More expensive than 304 stainless, but essential for marine, chemical, and food-grade applications.

Introduction: What is 316 Stainless Steel?

316 stainless steel is part of the 300-series austenitic alloys, known for toughness, ductility, and corrosion resistance. The addition of 2–3% molybdenum is what separates 316 from 304 stainless, giving it superior performance in chloride-rich environments like saltwater, pool chemicals, or industrial processing plants. At SendCutSend, 316 stainless is offered in multiple thicknesses and cut on industrial fiber lasers for precision, clean edges, and fast turnaround.

How does 316 compare to 304?

316 is essentially the upgrade to 304 when corrosion is a concern. Both grades are strong, weldable, and bendable, but 316 shines in marine and chemical environments where 304 will pit or tea stain.

  • Corrosion resistance: 316 is more resistant to chlorides thanks to molybdenum.
  • Strength and ductility: Nearly identical to 304.
  • Cost: Roughly 20–30% more expensive.
  • Machinability: Slightly worse than 304 due to work hardening.

If you’re building indoor brackets or cosmetic enclosures, 304 is often enough. If your project faces saltwater or chemicals, 316 is the clear choice.

Can 316 Stainless be laser cut?

Yes. 316 stainless is an excellent candidate for fiber laser cutting, the method used at SendCutSend. Fiber lasers cut reflective metals cleanly, holding tolerances of ±0.005″. We use nitrogen assist gas to create oxide-free edges that are bright and ready for finishing. Oxygen cutting is faster but leaves discoloration, which is less suitable for cosmetic parts.

What edge quality should you expect?

316 cuts with crisp, narrow kerfs on a fiber laser. Heat tint may appear on edges if oxygen is used, but with nitrogen, edges are bright and clean. Burrs or dross are minimal on thin to mid-thickness sheets, though very thick plate can show some edge buildup. Warping is possible in thinner sheets if designs have dense cutouts, but SendCutSend’s process minimizes heat distortion compared to plasma or waterjet.

What tolerances and feature sizes are realistic?

At SendCutSend we guarantee ±0.005″ cutting tolerance on 316 stainless.

  • Minimum hole size: ~0.060″ depending on thickness.
  • Minimum web/bridge: At least equal to material thickness.
  • Kerf width: ~0.008–0.010″.

For exact data by thickness, see our 316 stainless specifications.

What finishing options are available?

You can choose to have your 316 stainless steel parts deburred or tumbled for a small additional fee. In addition, SendCutSend offers powder coating on 316 stainless which adds a durable, chip-resistant layer in multiple color options, enhancing corrosion resistance for outdoor or marine projects. Explore all  finishing service options at SendCutSend

How does 316 behave in bending and welding?

316 stainless bends cleanly on a CNC press brake, though it requires careful design.

  • Minimum inside radius: At least material thickness; use 2–3x thickness on heavy gauges.
  • Springback: Greater than mild steel or aluminum, but compensated automatically in our bending process.
  • Flange length: Minimum of 3x thickness.

Welding is straightforward, especially with TIG or MIG. 316L is best for welded parts, as the reduced carbon minimizes carbide precipitation. Post-weld passivation restores corrosion resistance. See our bending guidelines for exact dimensions needed for bending services through SendCutSend.

What post-cutting services are available?

SendCutSend offers several services to make your 316 parts assembly-ready right out of the box:

  • Bending: Precision press brake bending with tight tolerances.
  • Tapping: Clean threaded holes without secondary machining.
  • PEM hardware installation: Adds reusable, load-bearing threads in thin sheet.
  • Dimple forming: Strengthens holes or provides clearance for fasteners.
  • Powder Coating: Add durability and vibrant long-lasting finish to 316 stainless parts

Combining these with cutting and finishing creates a true one-stop workflow.

When should you cut 316 yourself vs. outsource?

316 can be DIY-cut, but it’s difficult without industrial equipment. Plasma cutting leaves heavy dross, CO₂ lasers struggle with reflection, and tooling wear is high when machining. Outsourcing to SendCutSend gives you ±0.005″ tolerance, oxide-free edges, finishing, and add-on services — all with parts shipping in 2–4 days. For most engineers and makers, outsourcing is faster, cheaper, and more reliable than tackling 316 in-house.

Conclusion

316 stainless steel is the go-to choice when corrosion resistance matters most, especially in marine, chemical, and food-grade environments. At SendCutSend, we make it easy to turn this premium material into precision parts with our fiber laser cutting, finishing, and post-cutting services. Whether you need simple brackets, complex assemblies, or corrosion-resistant components ready for the outdoors, we deliver fast, accurate results so you can focus on your project instead of the fabrication.