Coastal and marine
Salt air carries chlorides that pit 304. Within 5–10 miles (8–16 km) of salt water, or where de-icing salt is spread, choose 316L.
316L stainless steel enclosures
316L stainless steel contains 2–3% molybdenum, which 304 does not, and that raises its resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion from chlorides; the L means low carbon (0.030% max), which protects welded seams. Choose a 316L enclosure for coastal and marine air, de-icing salt, brine, chlorinated cleaners and sanitizers, wastewater and chemical areas. We build all 65 wall-mount sizes in 316L, #4 brushed, rated NEMA 4X / IP66 by the manufacturer and not UL listed.
- Alloy
- UNS S31603: 16.0–18.0% chromium, 10.0–14.0% nickel, 2.00–3.00% molybdenum, 0.030% carbon max (ASTM A240)
- Sizes
- All 65 wall-mount sizes, 6 × 4 × 4 in to 60 × 36 × 16 in
- Finish
- #4 brushed
- Sheet
- 1.2 mm / 1.5 mm / 2.0 mm by size, as the 304 version
- Door
- Continuous stainless hinge, continuous gasket
- Rating
- NEMA 4X / IP66 by the manufacturer; not UL listed
- HMI enclosures
- The standard HMI housings are 304; a 316L HMI enclosure is a custom build
- Delivery
- Made to order, delivered in 10 business days, anywhere in the world
Where it earns its cost
Four places 316L belongs
Chemical and pharma
Chlorinated cleaners, acidic product and chemical fumes: the molybdenum in 316L resists the pitting and crevice corrosion they cause.
Wastewater and pool plant rooms
Chlorine, brine and damp air together. 316L is the grade for treatment plants, lift stations and pool plant rooms.
Food plants with brine or chlorine
Brine, salty or acidic product and chlorine-based sanitizers call for 316L; routine washdown with mild detergents does not. Washdown enclosures.
| Location | Grade |
|---|---|
| Indoor dry or dusty, light cleaning | 304 |
| Indoor washdown with water and mild detergents | 304 |
| Inland outdoor, no de-icing salt nearby | 304 |
| Chlorinated cleaners or sanitizers, brine, salty or acidic product | 316L |
| Within 5–10 miles (8–16 km) of salt water, or exposed to de-icing salt | 316L |
| Wastewater, chemical areas, pool plant rooms, pharma | 316L |
| Shoreline, splash zone or heavy industrial pollution | 316L, and ask a corrosion specialist |
304 vs 316L stainless for enclosures: composition, chlorides and sanitizers, coastal distance, welding and cleaning.
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
6 × 4 × 4 in
2 DIN, tight84 mm usable2 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
6 × 6 × 4 in
5 DIN, tight84 mm usable3 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
8 × 6 × 4 in
5 DIN84 mm usable4 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
8 × 8 × 4 in
8 DIN84 mm usable5 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
10 × 8 × 4 in
8 DIN84 mm usable5 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
10 × 8 × 6 in
8 DIN135 mm usable7 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
12 × 10 × 6 in
11 DIN135 mm usable9 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
12 × 12 × 6 in
14 DIN135 mm usable10 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
12 × 10 × 8 in
11 DIN186 mm usable11 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
14 × 12 × 6 in
14 DIN135 mm usable12 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 12 × 6 in
28 DIN134 mm usable13 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
14 × 12 × 8 in
14 DIN186 mm usable14 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 14 × 6 in
30 DIN134 mm usable14 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 12 × 8 in
28 DIN185 mm usable15 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 16 × 6 in
36 DIN134 mm usable16 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 14 × 8 in
30 DIN185 mm usable17 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 12 × 10 in
28 DIN236 mm usable17 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 20 × 6 in
40 DIN134 mm usable19 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 16 × 6 in
36 DIN134 mm usable19 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 16 × 8 in
36 DIN185 mm usable18 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 20 × 6 in
38 DIN134 mm usable23 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 20 × 8 in
40 DIN185 mm usable22 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 16 × 8 in
36 DIN185 mm usable22 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 20 × 6 in
57 DIN134 mm usable26 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 16 × 8 in
54 DIN185 mm usable25 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
16 × 20 × 10 in
40 DIN236 mm usable24 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 16 × 10 in
36 DIN236 mm usable25 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 20 × 8 in
38 DIN185 mm usable26 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 24 × 6 in
72 DIN134 mm usable30 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 24 × 8 in
48 DIN185 mm usable29 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 16 × 10 in
54 DIN236 mm usable28 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 20 × 8 in
57 DIN185 mm usable30 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 20 × 10 in
38 DIN236 mm usable29 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 24 × 8 in
72 DIN185 mm usable34 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
20 × 20 × 12 in
38 DIN286 mm usable32 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 20 × 10 in
57 DIN236 mm usable33 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 20 × 8 in
76 DIN185 mm usable36 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 20 × 12 in
57 DIN286 mm usable36 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 24 × 10 in
72 DIN236 mm usable38 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 30 × 8 in
99 DIN185 mm usable40 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 24 × 8 in
96 DIN185 mm usable41 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
24 × 24 × 12 in
72 DIN286 mm usable41 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 24 × 8 in
120 DIN184 mm usable48 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 24 × 10 in
96 DIN236 mm usable45 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 30 × 8 in
132 DIN185 mm usable48 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 24 × 12 in
96 DIN286 mm usable49 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 24 × 10 in
120 DIN235 mm usable52 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 30 × 8 in
165 DIN184 mm usable56 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 30 × 10 in
132 DIN236 mm usable53 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 24 × 12 in
120 DIN286 mm usable57 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 30 × 12 in
132 DIN286 mm usable58 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 30 × 10 in
165 DIN235 mm usable62 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
30 × 24 × 16 in
96 DIN388 mm usable58 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
42 × 36 × 8 in
200 DIN184 mm usable75 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
42 × 30 × 10 in
155 DIN235 mm usable70 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 30 × 12 in
165 DIN286 mm usable67 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
48 × 36 × 8 in
240 DIN184 mm usable84 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 36 × 12 in
210 DIN286 mm usable76 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
36 × 30 × 16 in
165 DIN387 mm usable77 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
48 × 36 × 10 in
240 DIN235 mm usable90 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
42 × 36 × 12 in
200 DIN286 mm usable87 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
48 × 36 × 12 in
240 DIN286 mm usable97 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
60 × 36 × 12 in
320 DIN286 mm usable118 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
48 × 36 × 16 in
240 DIN387 mm usable110 W
316L stainless wall-mount enclosure
60 × 36 × 16 in
320 DIN387 mm usable133 W
Guide
304 vs 316L stainless
Alloy limits, chloride limits in ppm, coastal distance and road salt, a cleaner and chemical table, and how to keep either grade rust-free.
Read the guideGuide
Stainless steel guide
Gauge and thickness, No. 4 vs 2B finish, welded seams and heat tint, passivation, galvanic contact, field drilling and cleaning.
Read the guideGuide
Materials compared
Stainless, painted steel, aluminum, polycarbonate and fiberglass side by side: corrosion, UV, weight, stiffness, heat, wireless and cutting.
Read the guideGuide
Outdoor enclosures
Which NEMA type for rain, hose and salt, how much heat the sun adds, colour and sun shields, cold nights, UV and mounting.
Read the guideNot a standard size?
Your size, material and cutouts, delivered in 10 business days.
Set width, height and depth, the material and the NEMA type in the enclosure builder, or send your drawing. From one piece, anywhere in the world. Counted from your order; for custom work, from your approval of the drawing.
Asked and answered
316L stainless enclosures: questions
Is 316L the same as 316?
316L is the low-carbon version of 316 (0.030% carbon max). The lower carbon protects welded seams against intergranular corrosion; the molybdenum that gives both their chloride resistance is the same 2–3%.
How close to the coast do I need 316L?
Our rule: within 5–10 miles (8–16 km) of salt water, or anywhere de-icing salt is used, choose 316L. On the shoreline, in the splash zone or in heavy industrial pollution, choose 316L and ask a corrosion specialist.
Is every size available in 316L?
Yes: all 65 wall-mount sizes come in 316L as well as 304, with the same dimensions, sheet, door and mounting panel.
Does 316L need different care?
No. Clean with mild detergent and warm water along the grain, rinse with clean water, and keep steel wool, chloride bleach and hydrochloric acid away from it. Rinse off salt and chemical residue rather than letting it dry on.
Can I get a 316L HMI enclosure?
The standard HMI housings are 304. A 316L HMI enclosure, cut for your display, is a custom build: enclosure builder or request a quote.
