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317 Stainless Steel

317 Stainless Steel is an austenitic chromium–nickel–molybdenum alloy developed for applications requiring greater resistance to chemical attack, pitting and crevice corrosion than conventional 304 and 316 stainless steels. Its higher chromium, nickel and molybdenum content makes it suitable for selected chemical-processing, pulp and paper, petrochemical, pollution-control and industrial equipment applications.

Standard 317 contains a maximum carbon content of 0.08%. For extensively welded components or equipment where resistance to sensitisation is important, the low-carbon 317L grade may be preferred.

Solitaire Steel & Engineering LLP, based in Khetwadi, Mumbai, India, supplies and exports 317 stainless steel coils, sheets, plates, blocks, ERW pipes, seamless pipes, semi-seamless pipes, round bars, square bars and wires. Material can be supplied in applicable standards, dimensions and finishes according to the buyer’s process conditions, drawing and quantity.

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Chemical Composition of 317 Stainless Steel

Element Composition (%)
Chromium (Cr) 18.00%–20.00%
Nickel (Ni) 11.00%–15.00%
Molybdenum (Mo) 3.00%–4.00%
Carbon (C) 0.08% maximum
Manganese (Mn) 2.00% maximum
Silicon (Si) 0.75% maximum
Phosphorus (P) 0.045% maximum
Sulphur (S) 0.030% maximum
Nitrogen (N) As limited by the applicable specification
Iron (Fe) Balance

Chemical limits should be confirmed against the applicable edition of the material specification and supplied material test certificate.

Technical Specifications of 317 Stainless Steel

Physical Properties

Property Metric Imperial
Density Approximately 8.0 g/cm³ Approximately 0.289 lb/in³
Modulus of Elasticity Approximately 193 GPa Approximately 28,000 ksi
Poisson’s Ratio Approximately 0.27–0.30 Approximately 0.27–0.30
Melting Range Approximately 1,370°C–1,400°C Approximately 2,498°F–2,552°F
Magnetic Behaviour Normally non-magnetic when annealed; may become slightly magnetic after cold working

Mechanical Properties

Property ASTM A240 Annealed Requirement Imperial
Tensile Strength 515 MPa minimum 75,000 psi minimum
0.2% Yield Strength 205 MPa minimum 30,000 psi minimum
Elongation 35% minimum 35% minimum
Rockwell Hardness Approximately 95 HRB maximum Approximately 95 HRB maximum
Brinell Hardness Approximately 217 HBW maximum Approximately 217 HBW maximum

Actual mechanical properties depend on product form, thickness, manufacturing route, cold work and governing specification. Typical mill values may be higher than the specified minimums.

Electrical Properties

Property Typical Value
Electrical Resistivity Approximately 0.75–0.80 µΩ·m
Electrical Conductivity Low compared with aluminium and copper
Electrical Application Suitability Selected mainly for corrosion resistance, not conductivity

Thermal Properties

Property Typical Value
Thermal Conductivity Approximately 14–16 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity Approximately 0.50 J/g·K
Mean Thermal Expansion Approximately 16–17 × 10⁻⁶/°C
Melting Range Approximately 1,370°C–1,400°C

Processing and Fabrication Properties

Property Performance
Formability Good
Cold Working Good with significant work hardening
Weldability Good using a suitable qualified procedure
Machinability Fair; lower cutting speeds are generally required
Corrosion Resistance Better than 316 in many selected corrosive environments
Heat-Treatable for Hardening No
Strengthening Method Cold working
Solution Annealing Required temperature and cooling according to specification
Hot Forming Possible under controlled conditions
Polishing Good
Pickling and Passivation Recommended after fabrication where applicable

Grade 317 work-hardens during machining. Rigid tooling, sharp cutting edges, positive feeds and appropriate cooling help reduce work-hardening problems.

317 Stainless Steel Equivalent Grades

Designation System Grade
AISI 317
UNS S31700
ASTM Type 317
EN Material Number 1.4449
EN Designation X5CrNiMo17-13-3
JIS SUS 317
Common Low-Carbon Variation 317L / UNS S31703
317L EN Material Number 1.4438

Equivalent-grade tables are selection guides only. Chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment and product standards must be compared before approving a substitution.

317 Stainless Steel Product Specifications by Solitaire Steel & Engineering LLP

Product Applicable Standards Available Types Size Availability Common Applications
Coils ASTM A240/A240M, ASME SA240 or applicable specification Hot-rolled, cold-rolled and slit Standard and customised thicknesses and widths Fabricated equipment, tanks and welded-tube production
Sheets ASTM A240/A240M, ASME SA240 or applicable specification HR, CR, plain, perforated and polished Standard and customised dimensions Linings, chemical equipment, covers and fabricated parts
Plates ASTM A240/A240M, ASME SA240 or applicable specification Hot-rolled, annealed, pickled and cut-to-size Standard and customised dimensions Tanks, pressure equipment, pulp equipment and process vessels
Blocks Cut from certified plate or approved stock Square, rectangular and machined As per drawing Valve parts, pump components, fixtures and general engineering
ERW Pipes ASTM A312/A312M, ASTM A358/A358M or applicable specification Welded, annealed, pickled or polished Required OD, wall thickness and length Chemical transfer, process piping and industrial systems
Seamless Pipes ASTM A312/A312M, ASME SA312 or applicable specification Seamless, annealed and pickled Required schedule, OD and length Chemical, petrochemical and high-integrity process piping
Semi-Seamless Pipes As per agreed manufacturing and testing specification Welded tube subjected to further cold working and finishing Standard and customised dimensions Selected industrial and engineering applications
Tubes ASTM A269/A269M, ASTM A249/A249M or applicable specification Seamless, welded, heat-exchanger and instrumentation tube Required OD, wall thickness and length Condensers, heat exchangers and process equipment
Round Bars ASTM A276/A276M, ASTM A479/A479M or applicable specification Hot-rolled, cold-drawn, forged and bright Standard and customised diameters and lengths Valves, pumps, fasteners and machined components
Square Bars ASTM A276/A276M or applicable specification Hot-rolled, cold-drawn or machined Standard and customised sizes Fabricated and machined components
Wires ASTM A580/A580M or applicable specification Annealed, drawn, straightened or coil form Required diameter and coil quantity Mesh, fasteners, formed parts and specialised fabrication

Standard coverage must be verified for the exact grade and product form. A commercial term such as “semi-seamless” should never replace the governing manufacturing, heat-treatment and testing specification.

Available Surface Finishes for 317 Stainless Steel

Finish Appearance and Common Use
No.1 Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled industrial finish
2D Dull cold-rolled finish
2B Smooth cold-rolled finish
BA Bright-annealed finish, subject to availability
No.4 Brushed finish for visible equipment
Polished Finish Selected hygienic and process-equipment surfaces
Pickled and Passivated Fabricated chemical and process equipment
Machined Finish Bars, blocks, valve parts and pump components
Protective Film Surface protection during handling and fabrication

The required surface roughness should be stated separately when the material is intended for hygienic, pharmaceutical, food-processing or high-purity service.

Corrosion Resistance of 317 Stainless Steel

The 3%–4% molybdenum content gives 317 stainless steel better resistance than 316 in many environments involving chlorides, sulphurous media and other halides. It can also provide improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion.

However, 317 stainless steel is not universally resistant to every acid, chloride concentration or process condition. Material selection should consider:

  • Chemical name and concentration
  • Operating temperature
  • Chloride content
  • pH level
  • Aeration and flow conditions
  • Presence of deposits or crevices
  • Cleaning and shutdown conditions
  • Welding and post-weld treatment
  • Expected service life
  • Previous corrosion experience

A corrosion test or written material recommendation may be necessary for severe chemical service.

Applications of 317 Stainless Steel

  • Chemical Processing: Used for selected tanks, vessels, piping, reactors and handling equipment exposed to aggressive chemicals.
  • Pulp and Paper: Used for digesters, bleaching equipment, process tanks and piping where improved corrosion resistance is required.
  • Petrochemical Equipment: Suitable for selected process components, transfer systems and fabricated equipment.
  • Flue-Gas Desulphurisation: Used for selected scrubber components, ducts and pollution-control equipment subject to engineering approval.
  • Heat Exchangers and Condensers: Used for tubes, tube sheets, covers and process components where the service environment requires higher molybdenum content.
  • Textile and Dyeing Equipment: Suitable for selected equipment handling dyes, bleaching chemicals and process solutions.
  • Pharmaceutical Equipment: May be used for tanks, piping and process components when its grade, finish, welding and documentation satisfy the approved specification.
  • Food-Processing Equipment: Used for selected corrosive food-processing environments after reviewing media, cleaning chemicals and hygienic requirements.
  • Mining and Mineral Processing: Suitable for selected equipment handling corrosive process liquids and slurries.
  • Pollution-Control Equipment: Used for scrubbers, absorbers and chemical-handling components.
  • Marine-Related Equipment: May be considered for selected chloride-exposed components, but it should not be assumed suitable for continuous seawater service without engineering evaluation.

317 Stainless Steel vs 316 Stainless Steel

Selection Factor 316 Stainless Steel 317 Stainless Steel
Chromium Approximately 16%–18% Approximately 18%–20%
Nickel Approximately 10%–14% Approximately 11%–15%
Molybdenum Approximately 2%–3% Approximately 3%–4%
General Corrosion Resistance Very good Higher in many selected environments
Pitting and Crevice Resistance Good Generally better
Chemical-Service Capability Broad general use More demanding selected chemical environments
Material Availability More widely available More specialised
Initial Cost Generally lower Generally higher
Typical Use Marine, chemical, food and general process equipment Chemical, pulp, pollution-control and aggressive process service

317 should be selected because the service conditions justify its higher alloy content—not simply because it is a numerically higher grade.

317 Stainless Steel vs 317L Stainless Steel

Selection Factor 317 Stainless Steel 317L Stainless Steel
UNS Number S31700 S31703
Maximum Carbon 0.08% 0.03%
Corrosion Resistance High High
Extensive Welding Requires evaluation Generally preferred
Sensitisation Risk Higher after unsuitable thermal exposure Reduced due to lower carbon
Typical Use General corrosion-resistant components Welded tanks, piping and fabricated equipment

Where extensive welding is involved and post-weld solution annealing is impractical, 317L is generally the safer grade to evaluate.

When Should a Buyer Select 317 Stainless Steel?

317 stainless steel may be considered when:

  • 316 has not provided sufficient corrosion resistance
  • The process contains sulphurous compounds or selected halides
  • Greater pitting and crevice-corrosion resistance is required
  • Higher molybdenum content is specified
  • The component requires good formability and weldability
  • The project drawing specifically requires UNS S31700
  • Chemical compatibility has been reviewed

For extensive welding, the buyer should confirm whether 317L is required instead.

Information Required for a 317 Stainless Steel Quotation

For an accurate technical and commercial quotation, please provide:

  • Required product form
  • Grade—317 or 317L
  • UNS designation
  • Applicable ASTM, ASME, EN, JIS or customer specification
  • Thickness, width and length
  • Pipe or tube OD, wall thickness and schedule
  • Bar diameter or square size
  • Surface finish or roughness
  • Cutting, machining or fabrication requirement
  • Chemical or process medium
  • Chemical concentration
  • Operating temperature and pressure
  • Chloride content, where applicable
  • Welding requirement
  • Quantity or total weight
  • Material test certificate requirement
  • PMI, corrosion test or third-party inspection requirement
  • Packing requirement
  • Delivery location
  • Required delivery schedule

For a quotation for 317 stainless steel coils, sheets, plates, blocks, ERW pipes, seamless pipes, semi-seamless pipes, tubes, round bars, square bars or wires, contact Solitaire Steel & Engineering LLP. Our team will review the required standard, dimensions, process conditions, finish, quantity and inspection requirements before confirming availability and pricing.