316SS Investment Casting Services
Leesh Holdings casts 316SS Investment Casting parts in the molybdenum-bearing austenitic grade — the foundry form of 316 (CF8M / 1.4408) — engineered for chloride-laden media, seawater and chemical duty. Custom geometries, thin walls and sealing faces, cast in one piece.
What Is 316SS Investment Casting?
316SS Investment Casting adds 2.0–3.0% molybdenum to the classic 18/8 stainless recipe, lifting resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion and chlorides far beyond standard 304. The lost-wax route then shapes this grade into the compact, intricate components that pumps, valves and marine systems demand — with castings equivalent to CF8M and 1.4408 designations.
Chloride Defense
Molybdenum raises the pitting resistance equivalent — the reason seawater and bleach duty parts specify 316 over 304.
Cryogenic Capable
Austenitic structure keeps impact toughness down to −196°C — suited to LNG and cryogenic valve trims.
One-Piece Castings
Internal ports and thin fins cast rather than welded — fewer joints, fewer leak paths, lower cost.
Certified Chemistry
Ladle spectro analysis and mechanical certificates accompany every heat.
316SS Casting Chemistry
The cast analysis mirrors CF8M under ASTM A351 and 1.4408 under EN 10283.
| Element | Content (%) | Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.08 | Chromium (Cr) | 18.0 – 21.0 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.50 | Nickel (Ni) | 9.0 – 12.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 2.00 | Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.0 – 3.0 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.04 | Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.04 |
Wrought reference: AISI 316. Cast grade names: CF8M (ASTM A351), 1.4408 / GX5CrNiMo19-11-2 (EN 10283), SCS14 (JIS G5121).
Mechanical Properties (Annealed)
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 485 (70) | MPa (ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | ≥ 205 (30) | MPa (ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥ 30 | % |
| Brinell Hardness (typical) | 140 – 200 | HBW |
| Solution Annealing | ≥ 1040°C, water quench | — |
| Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) | ≈ 23 – 28 | — |
Mechanical certificates (EN 10204 3.1) issued per batch upon request.
316SS vs 304SS — When to Step Up
Both cast beautifully; the choice is driven by your media and environment.
| Criteria | 304SS Casting | 316SS Casting |
|---|---|---|
| Molybdenum | None | 2.0 – 3.0% |
| Chloride / Seawater Resistance | Moderate | Superior |
| Pitting & Crevice Attack | Susceptible | Highly resistant |
| Typical Duty | Fresh water, food, general | Chemical, marine, offshore, bleach |
| Cost Position | Economical | Premium (Mo content) |
| Recommendation | Send your media & temperature — we confirm the grade before quoting | |
Our engineers review every inquiry against the service environment, not just the drawing.
The Investment Casting Process at Leesh
One in-house lost-wax chain — eight controlled stations between your drawing and the dispatch dock.
Tooling & Wax
Aluminum or P20 steel dies; wax injection with controlled cooling for stable dimensions.
Tree Assembly
Wax patterns gated onto runners — gate position engineered for balanced filling.
Ceramic Shell
Six to eight slurry + stucco coats build a shell that holds the exact cavity shape.
Dewax & Fire
Steam autoclave removes wax; shell fired at high temperature for strength.
Melting & Pour
316SS melted under spectro control, poured into preheated shells.
Cut-off & Clean
Shell knocked out, runners cut, gates ground and parts shot blasted.
Annealing & Machining
Solution anneal restores corrosion resistance; CNC finishing to print.
Inspect & Ship
Dimensional, pressure and material checks before crating.
Foundry Inside
Step inside Leesh Holdings — wax injection, shell building, melting and machining under one roof.
Wax Injection
Shell Building
Melting & Pouring
Machining & CMMWhere These Castings Are Used
316SS investment castings earn their place wherever corrosion resistance meets complex geometry.
Quality Control at Every Station
- Spectrometer verification of each melt before pouring
- Tensile test coupons per heat with EN 10204 3.1 certificates
- CMM dimensional inspection on first article and per batch
- X-ray and dye penetrant inspection available on critical parts
- Hydrostatic and air pressure testing for pressure-rated components
- Passivation per ASTM A380 after machining
- Ferrite content check where weldability matters
- Packaging engineered for ocean freight protection
Planning a 316SS Investment Casting?
Send your drawing — we will respond with tooling cost, piece price and delivery schedule within 24 hours.
david.lee@leesh.cn
