C40 · Instruments
Stainless Steel Plates for Instrument Manufacturing: 316L/304 Selection and 3 Part Lists
In instrument manufacturing, we have organized three stainless steel parts: commonly used 316L / 304, with thickness ranging from 0.05–2 mm.
3 Sections and Material List
| Section / Part | Recommended Grade | Specifications / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure/DP Sensor Diaphragm | 316L/Hastelloy C-276/Titanium/Tantalum/ | Diaphragm 0.05–0.2mm | Mirror/Dielectric | 316L corrodes in 20% hydrochloric acid for about 3 days; C-276 can last years; oil-filled structures clog in crystalline media | GB/T 15478；IEC 60770；NACE MR0175 |
| Analytical Instrument Piping/Valves/Fittings | 316L/316L EP | 1/16″–1/2″ | Electropolished Ra≤0.4μm | Sample Adsorption+Corrosion+Particle Blockage | ASTM A269；SEMI F20 |
| Instrument Enclosures/Stages | 304/316L | 0.5–2.0mm | 2B/Dielectric Polishing | Atmospheric Corrosion+Cleaners | GB/T 3280 |
Inside isStandard Configuration.Same parts can be 304, 316L, or 2205 depending on usage conditions—explain the specifics rather than specifying grades.
Select Materials
- Key Points in This Industry
- Most Common Grades: 316L (3), 304 (1) —— Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of affected areas, useful for quoting and material preparation.
Thickness Range: 0.05–2 mm —— Thin plates are often used for forming parts (considering bending rebound and deep drawing cracking), while thick plates are typically welded structures (considering heat input and sensitization).
Common Issues
What Stainless Steel is Used Most in Instrument Manufacturing?
Based on total pages, the most common grades are 316L (3 items) and 304 (1 item). Specific to a part still depends on the medium and temperature, for example, stainless steel countertops require different grades depending on whether they come into contact with saltwater.
Which Parts Are Most Troublesome?
Based on failure descriptions, typical issues are "liquid membrane of pressure/differential pressure sensors": 316L can perforate in about 3 days at 20% hydrochloric acid; C-276 can last for years; clogged structures in crystalline media; recommended grades: 316L/Hastelloy C-276/Titanium/Vacuum Metal. For these conditions, it's best to specify the medium concentration, temperature, and cleaning method during design.
What Thickness Should Be Selected?
The thickness range listed is 0.05–2 mm. Thin plates are considered for forming and surface quality, while thick plates are evaluated based on welding strength and structural integrity; different manufacturers may choose different values for the same part, review your drawings or conditions to confirm.
Applications3
Thickness0.05–2mm