Is 16Mo3 steel corrosion-resistant?

16Mo3 is a EN10028 specified pressure vessel grade chrome molybdenum steel alloy for use in elevated working temperatures.

The material is used as a weldable steel in the fabrication of industrial boilers and steel pressurised vessels found in the oil, gas and chemical industry. Due to the materials chrome and molybdenum content, 16Mo3 has excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistant characteristics.

16Mo3 - Chemical Composition

16Mo3 - Mechanical Properties

Application Scenarios 

Boiler systems: The core material for thermal power and industrial boiler components, including water wall tubes, superheaters, economizers and boiler drums, adapting to long-term operation under high-temperature steam and high pressure.

Petrochemical equipment: Applied to pressure vessels, hydrogenation reactors and transfer pipelines in petrochemical plants, suitable for handling high-temperature oil, gas and chemical media, with strong resistance to medium erosion and thermal fatigue.

Thermal power generation: Used in steam headers, connecting pipes and auxiliary thermal equipment of thermal power systems, ensuring stable operation under cyclic high-temperature and high-pressure working conditions.

Industrial piping: Deployed in high-temperature and high-pressure pipelines of refineries and heavy industry for transporting steam, hot water and heat transfer oil, with reliable sealing and corrosion resistance.

General pressure vessels: Manufactures medium and high-pressure storage tanks and heat exchangers for chemical and pharmaceutical industries, fully meeting the strict safety and pressure-bearing standards of industrial pressure equipment.

Process Characteristics of 16Mo3

Welding Process Characteristics: It has good weldability and is compatible with common welding methods such as manual arc welding and gas metal arc welding. Preheating (150-200℃) and post-weld heat treatment (600-650℃) are essential to eliminate residual stress and avoid cold cracks. The welding joint has high strength and toughness, consistent with the base metal performance.

Forming Process Characteristics: Suitable for both hot and cold forming. Hot forming at 850-900℃ ensures good plasticity and reduces deformation resistance, with slow cooling to prevent material brittleness. Cold forming can be carried out at room temperature, but excessive deformation should be avoided; stress relief annealing is required if necessary.

Heat Treatment Process Characteristics: Normalizing (890-950℃, air cooling) is the core heat treatment process, which refines grain structure and improves mechanical properties. Stress relief annealing effectively reduces internal stress of welded and formed parts, ensuring dimensional stability during service.

Cutting and Machining Characteristics: It can be processed by flame cutting, plasma cutting and mechanical machining. Flame cutting needs proper preheating to prevent edge cracking. Machining with high-speed steel or carbide tools ensures good surface finish, with moderate cutting speed and feed rate to reduce tool wear.

Surface Treatment Characteristics: Shot blasting or pickling is required to remove oxide scale and impurities before installation. It has good surface processability, and anti-corrosion coating can be applied to enhance durability in harsh environments, without affecting its inherent performance.

Advantages of 16Mo3

Superior high-temperature performance

It boasts excellent high-temperature strength and creep resistance, maintaining stable mechanical properties during long-term operation at 350–550℃, which is the core advantage for high-temperature and high-pressure working conditions.

Excellent weldability

With good welding adaptability, it can be welded with matching electrodes and standard processes; proper preheating and post-weld heat treatment can avoid welding cracks, ensuring firm and reliable welded joints for easy fabrication of large equipment.

Outstanding thermal stability

It has strong resistance to thermal fatigue and oxidation at working temperatures, with no obvious performance attenuation under cyclic temperature changes, effectively extending the service life of components and reducing maintenance frequency.

Reliable pressure-bearing capacity

As a dedicated pressure vessel steel, it has high medium and high-pressure resistance, meeting the pressure-bearing requirements of industrial equipment such as boilers and reactors, and ensuring operational safety under rated pressure.

Cost-effective performance

Compared with high-alloy heat-resistant steels, it has lower raw material and processing costs while meeting the key performance demands of high-temperature industrial fields, achieving an optimal balance between performance and economic efficiency.

Contact now

Get an valued quotation for 16mo3, Contact GNEE Steel.

What is the grain size of 16Mo3 steel after heat treatment?

After normalizing heat treatment, 16Mo3 steel has a fine and uniform grain size, usually reaching ASTM grain size 5-8. Fine grains improve the steel's strength, toughness, and creep resistance.

What is the tensile test requirement for 16Mo3 steel?

The tensile test for 16Mo3 steel requires sampling according to EN 10028-2, testing at room temperature. The test should confirm tensile strength (410-530 MPa), yield strength (≥235 MPa), and elongation (≥22%).

Does 16Mo3 steel have magnetic properties?

Yes, 16Mo3 steel is a ferritic alloy steel, so it has ferromagnetic properties. It can be magnetized in a magnetic field, which should be considered in applications requiring non-magnetic materials.

What is the impact test result of 16Mo3 steel?

16Mo3 steel typically has a Charpy V-notch impact energy of ≥30 J at 20°C. This indicates good toughness, ensuring the steel can absorb energy without brittle fracture under impact loads.

Can 16Mo3 steel be used in boiler tubes?

Yes, 16Mo3 steel is commonly used to make boiler tubes (water wall tubes, superheater tubes). Its high-temperature resistance and creep strength can withstand the high temperature and pressure inside boilers.

What are the storage requirements for 16Mo3 steel?

16Mo3 steel should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse to avoid moisture and rust. It should be separated from corrosive substances, and the surface should be protected by anti-rust oil or packaging during storage.

What is the difference between 16Mo3 and 20MoCr4 steel?

16Mo3 is a pressure vessel steel with low alloy content (Mo mainly), while 20MoCr4 is a case-hardening steel containing Mo, Cr, with higher

Can 16Mo3 steel be machined?

Yes, 16Mo3 steel has good machinability. It can be turned, milled, drilled, and tapped with ordinary cutting tools. Proper cutting speed and coolant should be used to ensure machining accuracy and tool life.

What is the certification required for 16Mo3 steel?

16Mo3 steel for pressure vessels usually requires EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification. This certification confirms the steel's chemical composition, mechanical properties, and quality meet standard requirements.

What is the standard thickness range of 16Mo3 steel plates?

The standard thickness range of 16Mo3 steel plates is usually 3-150 mm. Thicker plates may require additional heat treatment to ensure uniform mechanical properties across the entire thickness.

What are the forming processes suitable for 16Mo3 steel?

16Mo3 steel can be processed by various forming methods, including rolling, bending, stamping, and forging. It has good formability under room temperature or moderate heating conditions, meeting different equipment manufacturing needs.