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SS 316L pipe schedule chart

What Is SS316L Pipe Schedule?

316L Stainless Steel Pipe is a low-carbon stainless steel alloy with high corrosion resistance, suitable for harsh working conditions, high-temperature environments, and marine applications. The SS 316L pipe schedule refers to the standardized wall thickness specifications for Grade 316L stainless steel pipes.
SS 316L pipes are available in a variety of schedules depending on the required wall thickness and pressure ratings; among these, Schedule 10, Schedule 40, and Schedule 80 are common specifications.
For welded SS 316L pipes, common schedules include 5, 10S, 10, 30, 40S, 40, 80, and 80S. For seamless SS 316L pipes, common schedules include 10, 40, 80, 160, and XXH.
SS316L Pipe Schedule

 

SS316L Pipe Dimensions Chart (ASME B36.19)

NPS (Inches)OD (Inches)OD (mm)Sch 5S WT (mm)Sch 10S WT (mm)Sch 40S (Std) WT (mm)Sch 80S (XS) WT (mm)
1/8"0.40510.29-1.241.732.41
1/4"0.54013.72-1.652.243.02
3/8"0.67517.15-1.652.313.20
1/2"0.84021.341.652.112.773.73
3/4"1.05026.671.652.112.873.91
1"1.31533.401.652.773.384.55
1-1/4"1.66042.161.652.773.564.85
1-1/2"1.90048.261.652.773.685.08
2"2.37560.331.652.773.915.54
2-1/2"2.87573.032.113.055.167.01
3"3.50088.902.113.055.497.62
4"4.500114.302.113.056.028.56
5"5.563141.302.773.406.559.53
6"6.625168.282.773.407.1110.97
8"8.625219.082.773.768.1812.70
10"10.750273.053.404.199.2712.70
12"12.750323.853.964.579.5312.70
 

How to Choose 316L SCH10S, SCH40S or SCH80S?

Schedule 10S: Features a relatively thin wall. It is primarily used in low-pressure, highly corrosive environments where minimizing weight and maximizing corrosion resistance take precedence over withstanding extreme pressure. 
Schedule 40S: A pipe with moderate weight and standard wall thickness. It is the most widely used specification, suitable for general piping projects, structural applications, and the transport of industrial gases or fluids at moderate pressures.
 Schedule 80S: Characterized by thick, heavy-duty pipe walls. This specification is designed for high-pressure systems and heavy industrial piping, where safety, durability, and stress resistance are critical.
316L SCH10S, SCH40S or SCH80S
 

What is the pressure rating for Schedule 40 316L stainless steel pipe?

Design Conditions: ASTM A312 TP316L Seamless Pipe, ASME B31.3, Design Temperature 38°C (100°F), Corrosion Allowance = 0 mm.

NPSOutside Diameter (OD)ScheduleWall ThicknessApprox. Working PressureApprox. Burst Pressure
1/2"21.3 mmSCH 40S2.77 mm2,300 psi (15.9 MPa)9,200 psi (63.4 MPa)
3/4"26.7 mmSCH 40S2.87 mm1,950 psi (13.4 MPa)7,800 psi (53.8 MPa)
1"33.4 mmSCH 40S3.38 mm1,750 psi (12.1 MPa)7,000 psi (48.3 MPa)
1-1/2"48.3 mmSCH 40S3.68 mm1,400 psi (9.7 MPa)5,600 psi (38.6 MPa)
2"60.3 mmSCH 40S3.91 mm1,150 psi (7.9 MPa)4,600 psi (31.7 MPa)
3"88.9 mmSCH 40S5.49 mm1,050 psi (7.2 MPa)4,200 psi (29.0 MPa)
4"114.3 mmSCH 40S6.02 mm950 psi (6.6 MPa)3,800 psi (26.2 MPa)
6"168.3 mmSCH 40S7.11 mm850 psi (5.9 MPa)3,400 psi (23.4 MPa)
8"219.1 mmSCH 40S8.18 mm780 psi (5.4 MPa)3,100 psi (21.4 MPa)


Thickness Tolerance of ASTM A312 TP316L Pipe

Wall Thickness Tolerance (ASTM A312 / A999)
NPS Range (Inches)Manufacturing MethodUnder Tolerance (%)Over Tolerance (%)
1/8" to 2-1/2" (inc.)Seamless-12.5%+20.0%
3" to 18" (inc.)Seamless (t/D ratio ≤ 5%)-12.5%+22.5%
3" to 18" (inc.)Seamless (t/D ratio > 5%)-12.5%+15.0%
20" and largerSeamless (t/D ratio ≤ 5%)-12.5%+22.5%
20" and largerSeamless (t/D ratio > 5%)-12.5%+15.0%
All SizesWelded (All Grades)-12.5%+15.0%

Note: t = Nominal Wall Thickness; D = Ordered Outside Diameter.

 

Outside Diameter (OD) Tolerance (ASTM A312)

In addition to thickness, the OD must also remain within specific limits to ensure proper fitment with flanges and valves.

NPS Range (Inches)Over Tolerance (mm)Under Tolerance (mm)
1/8" to 1-1/2"+0.4 mm-0.8 mm
1-1/2" to 4"+0.8 mm-0.8 mm
4" to 8"+1.6 mm-0.8 mm
8" to 18"+2.4 mm-0.8 mm
18" to 26"+3.2 mm-0.8 mm

 

Why Does SS316L Pipe Cost More Than SS304?

SS316L pipe typically costs 15% - 30% more than SS304 because it is alloyed with molybdenum and has a higher nickel content. These raw materials are more expensive than the chromium used in SS304, and they provide drastically improved corrosion and pitting resistance in harsh or saltwater environments.


 

316L SCH40S vs SCH80S: Seawater Pipeline

 
Project Background
  • Location: An offshore oil and gas platform in Southeast Asia.
  • Application: Secondary cooling water system (direct seawater intake for heat exchange).
  • Medium: Natural seawater (characterized by high chloride levels, sand content, biological activity, and dissolved oxygen).
  • Design Life: 15 years.
  • Pipe Diameter Requirement: NPS 4 (DN100).
  • 316L SCH40S vs SCH80S: Seawater Pipeline

SS316L Pipe SCH 40S vs. SCH 80S: Differences

Technical DataSCH 40SSCH 80SVariance
Wall Thickness6.02 mm8.56 mm+42.2%
Allowable Pressure*~115 bar~168 bar+46.0%
Unit Weight16.32 kg/m22.62 kg/m+38.6%
Internal Diameter (ID)102.26 mm97.18 mm-4.9%
Flow Area8,214 mm²7,416 mm²-9.7%
Typical ApplicationsWater Treatment, Food Processing, General Chemical ServiceOffshore, Refinery, High-Pressure Process Lines 
SS 316L Pipe SCH 40S vs. SCH 80S: Corrosion Resistance
Although 316L stainless steel offers high corrosion resistance, it is highly susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion in stagnant seawater. At elbows and tees, the scouring action of high-velocity seawater accelerates the degradation of the passive film. Thanks to its superior wall thickness, SCH 80S provides a higher structural strength reserve against erosion-corrosion caused by seawater containing trace amounts of silt, effectively minimizing the risk of localized erosion-induced leakage.
 
SS 316L Pipe SCH 40S vs. SCH 80S: Pressure Rating
The pressure rating of SCH 80S reaches up to 168 bar, which is significantly higher than the 115 bar rating of SCH 40S. In vibration-prone offshore platform environments, SCH 80S delivers a higher safety factor, effectively preventing weld joint cracking induced by fatigue.
 
SS 316L Pipe SCH 40S vs. SCH 80S: Cost 
  • SCH 40S: It features a lower initial procurement cost, with an effective corrosion service life of approximately 8 to 10 years. Beyond 10 years, the system may face large-scale shutdowns for overhaul and replacement.
  • SCH 80S: While the initial procurement cost is 40% higher, it offers a lower Life Cycle Cost (LCC) by minimizing unplanned downtime and reducing labor costs for replacement.
Recommendations from GNEE Stainless Steel Technical Experts:

If the budget is extremely tight , SCH 80S can be used on the main lines, while SCH 40S can be used on the low-pressure, easily replaceable branch lines at the ends.If the seawater temperature exceeds 25°C, the risk of pitting corrosion for 316L will escalate dramatically. 
Under such circumstances, merely increasing the wall thickness (from 40S to 80S) may not be sufficient, and a material upgrade to Super Duplex 2507 should be considered; even when using SCH 10S, its corrosion resistance far outperforms that of 316L SCH 80S.

Click to get technical guidance on 316L stainless steel pipes

 

Supplier of ASTM A312 TP316/316L Stainless Steel Pipe

We exclusively source raw materials from top-tier refineries, including Tsingshan, TISCO, and Baosteel. Our tubing is manufactured from steel processed through AOD/VOD refining methods, ensuring exceptionally low impurity levels.
Dual-Grade Certification: Most of our inventory is dual-certified to 316/316L, successfully combining the high strength of grade 316 with the superior welding performance (low carbon) of grade 316L.
We offer engineering technical support, including pressure calculations via Barlow's Formula and material selection guidance for corrosive environments.
 
ASTM A312 TP316/316L Stainless Steel Pipe Specification
ItemSpecification
StandardASTM A312, ASME SA312
GradeTP316, TP316L, TP316/316L Dual
TypeSeamless (SMLS) or Welded (ERW, EFW)
Size Range1/8" to 30" NPS
ScheduleSch 5S, 10S, 40S, 80S, 160, XXS
FinishSolution Annealed & Pickled (White Finish) or Bright Annealed
EndsPlain End, Beveled End (for welding), or Threaded
ASTM A312 TP316/316L Stainless Steel Pipe
ASTM A312 TP316/316L Stainless Steel Pipe
ASTM A312 TP316/316L Stainless Steel round Pipe
ASTM A312 TP316/316L Stainless Steel round Pipe
Inspection & Quality Control (QC)

To ensure zero-defect delivery, every pipe undergoes a series of mandatory and optional tests:

CategoryTest ItemsPurpose
ChemicalPMI (Positive Material Identification)Verify Cr, Ni, Mo, and C content.
MechanicalTensile, Yield, Elongation, HardnessEnsure the pipe meets structural requirements.
Integrity (NDT)Hydrostatic Test100% test to ensure no leaks under high pressure.
Integrity (NDT)Eddy Current or Ultrasonic (UT)Detect internal cracks, pits, or wall thinning.
MicrostructureIntergranular Corrosion Test (IGC)Verify resistance to "weld decay" (Practice A/E).
Visual/DimDimensional & Surface CheckConfirm wall thickness, OD, and smooth ID/OD finish.
PMI Testing of 316L Stainless Steel Pipe
PMI Testing of 316L Stainless Steel Pipe
Eddy Current or Ultrasonic
Eddy Current or Ultrasonic

We provide a full set of documentation with every shipment to ensure traceability:
MTC (Material Test Certificate): Fully compliant with EN 10204 3.1 standards (or 3.2 standards upon request).

Material Test Certificate

 
Professional Export Packaging

End Protection: All pipes are fitted with Plastic Caps (blue, white, or customized) to protect threads and beveled ends from impact and debris.
Surface Protection: Each pipe can be individually sleeved in a plastic bag or wrapped in hexagonal bundles with PE wrapping.
Securing: For large diameters, we use internal bracing. For small diameters, we use fumigated wooden cases or steel-framed crates to prevent bending during forklift handling.

Wooden crate packaging
Wooden crate packaging
End Protection
End Protection

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