Chloride ions are small enough to slip past the passive film that protects ordinary stainless steel, and once they're through, pitting eats an instrument line from the outside in. Molybdenum stops them. The 2 to 3% of it in 316 is the entire reason this grade, not 304, is the default coiled tubing for marine, coastal, and chemical plant service. USA Piping Solution supplies SS 316 and 316L coiled tubing to ASTM A269 and A213, seamless and welded, in continuous coils up to 2,000 metres. For general indoor service with no chloride exposure, our Stainless Steel 304 Coiled Tubing page covers the lower-cost option.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Grades | 316 (UNS S31600) and low-carbon 316L (UNS S31603) |
| Standards | ASTM A269 / ASME SA269 (general service) · ASTM A213 / ASME SA213 (heat-exchanger and boiler coil service) |
| Construction | Seamless; welded-and-drawn also available |
| OD Range | 1/8" to 1" (3.17 – 25.4 mm) |
| Wall Thickness | 0.028" to 0.083" typical for coil sizes |
| Continuous Length | Up to 2,000 m single length, size-dependent |
| Condition | Annealed; bright annealed (BA) or annealed & pickled (AP) |
Coil dimensions and length capability are identical to our 304 coiled tubing, the form doesn't change with the grade; only the corrosion resistance does. The full family is compared on the Stainless Steel Coil Tubes & Coiled Tubing hub.
Chloride Service: What 316 Handles, and When to Step Up
- Handles comfortably: coastal and offshore atmospheres, deck-mounted instrument lines, marine spray zones, most chemical plant environments, chlorinated water systems.
- Handles with judgment: warm brackish water and low-concentration chloride process fluids; temperature matters as much as concentration, so review the combination with your engineer.
- Step up past 316: high-chloride, high-pressure, or hot chloride service, seawater immersion, offshore control and hydraulic lines. That's where duplex (S31803/S32205) earns its cost, roughly double 316's strength with substantially better pitting resistance; see Duplex Steel Pipes & Tubes.
Applications
- Offshore & Marine Instrumentation: deck and platform instrument lines, impulse tubing, and analyzer connections in salt atmosphere.
- Chemical & Petrochemical Plants: process instrument lines where 304 would pit.
- Chemical Injection & Control Lines: surface and downhole lines, including encapsulated bundles.
- Chlorinated & Coastal Water Systems: dosing and sampling lines in water treatment.
- Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemical: 316L's low carbon and cleanability make it the default in hygienic chloride-exposed service.
Testing, Certification & Availability
Every coil is 100% tested, hydrostatic or eddy-current per the governing standard, with mill test certification and heat traceability; see our Quality Policy page for the full program. 316/316L coil is stocked nearly as widely as 304; send us your OD, wall, and run length for current availability and lead time.
Related Products
- Stainless Steel 304 Coiled Tubing
- Stainless Steel Coil Tubes & Coiled Tubing
- Duplex Steel Pipes & Tubes
- Stainless Steel Pipes & Tubes
- Heat Exchanger Tubes & Pipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 316 coiled tubing worth the premium over 304?
If chlorides are anywhere in the picture, yes, the premium is small against the cost of replacing a pitted line. If the service is genuinely chloride-free and indoors, 304 does the same job for less.
Can 316 coiled tubing be used submerged in seawater?
Sustained seawater immersion is at the edge of 316's capability, crevice corrosion under clamps and supports becomes the limiting factor. For immersion or high-chloride offshore hydraulic service, duplex is the safer specification.
Do you supply 316 coiled tubing dual-certified as 316/316L?
Yes, dual-certified material meeting both grades' requirements is the common mill standard and what we typically supply unless a single grade is specified.
What's the longest single 316 coil available?
Up to 2,000 metres without an intermediate weld at smaller diameters, shortening as OD and wall increase. Send your size and required run length and we'll confirm.