416 Stainless Steel Bar Price

For 2025 the market for AISI/UNS 416 stainless steel bar remains a low-to-mid cost niche within the 400-series martensitic family. Typical bulk ex-works prices from Chinese mills range roughly USD $1.7–$3.0 per kg (large orders), Indian domestic suppliers generally quote ~USD $0.8–$2.5 per kg depending on grade/finish, while small-quantity retail in the US/EU often lands between USD $7–18 per kg (price per pound shown on retail listings). Price differences reflect quantity, finish, certification and mill versus distributor margins.

What is 416 stainless steel

We use the designation AISI 416 / UNS S41600 for this grade. It is a martensitic, free-machining chromium stainless steel — engineered to be easy to machine by the controlled addition of sulfur and phosphorus. That free-machining trait reduces fabrication cost for parts that require heavy turning or drilling, but it slightly reduces corrosion resistance compared with non-free-machining 400-series grades.

Typical chemistry and applicable standards

Typical analysis ranges you will see in mill chemistry sheets for 416:

• Chromium (Cr): ~12.0–14.0%

• Carbon (C): up to ~0.15% (depends on sub-grade)

• Sulfur (S): intentionally elevated (≈0.15% max) to improve machinability

• Manganese, Silicon, Phosphorus: controlled to balance strength and finish

Common spec references that buyers should use in purchase orders and inspection plans include: UNS S41600 / AISI 416, ASTM designations for bar/rod (look for suppliers quoting ASTM A276 / A582 where applicable), and AMS/industry product sheets for aerospace or special applications. Always ask suppliers to state the exact standard on the COA.

Mechanical properties and heat treatment

• In annealed (soft) condition the alloy is easy to machine; hardness is modest.

• It can be hardened by heat treatment to raise tensile strength and hardness for wear-prone parts. Typical uses include shafts, fasteners, valve components and fittings where post-machining hardness helps.

• Welding is more difficult than austenitic grades; pre-heating and post-weld heat treatment may be needed depending on design.

Why 416 typically costs less than 3xx/6xx stainless grades

There are several reasons:

• Lower alloy content: 416 contains chromium but little or no nickel; nickel is an expensive element in many stainless alloys and pushes cost up in 3xx grades.

• Designed for machining: sulfur additions lower processing complexity for turned parts (reduces machining time and tooling wear).

• Common & commodity production: 416 is widely produced in long-product mills and readily available as bar, rod and bright bar — this supports lower ex-works pricing.

Main price drivers in 2025

When reconciling quotes you should consider the following cost levers:

Raw material inputs — chromium and scrap stainless prices, plus scrap nickel content in recycling flows, directly influence mill costs.
Energy & labor — energy intensity for steelmaking and regional labor rates affect ex-works pricing.
Processing & finish — bright-bar, cold-drawn, annealed or hardened condition, length tolerances, and machining all add cost.
Certifications & test reports — EN/ASTM/AMS certificates, PMI/chemical analysis, and mechanical test reports increase supplier overhead.
Logistics & tariffs — freight, import duties and container rates (volatile in 2021–2025 cycles) can add significant landed cost.
Order size & packaging — MOQ and unit packaging (bundles, timber crating for export) change per-kg economics.

Quote variability in 2025 is therefore expected — mills quoting by the ton for long-lead production will be priced very differently to a distributor selling one-piece retail cuts. Use total landed cost comparisons, not only per-kg list prices. (See the “how to read quotes” section.)

Global price snapshot (2025)

Notes: values are presented as representative ranges (USD). They are intended for buyer budgeting and comparison; always request contemporaneous written quotes. Sources: industry supplier listings (China/Alibaba), Indian supplier price pages, and US retail catalogues.

How to interpret: if a Chinese mill offers $1.8/kg FOB for 10 MT, compare that to a US distributor quote of $12/kg delivered — the total landed and time cost matters. Smaller quantities will always cost more per kg.

How to read and compare supplier quotes

When you receive a quote, we check the following line items and convert them into a single comparable currency / basis (USD per kg or USD per lb):

• Base price per unit (specify unit: /kg or /lb or /ton)

• Basis (FOB mill, FOB port, EXW, FCA, CIF) — freight & insurance may be excluded

• Quantity (MOQ) and price breaks for higher tonnage

• Surface finish and tolerance (cold-drawn/bright, centerless ground, turned)

• Heat treatment state (annealed, hardened & tempered)

• Certificates included (Mill test report—EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, PMI)

• Packing & export costs (timber crates, desiccant, tarpaulin)

• Lead time and delivery terms

Convert all quotes to landed USD/kg for apples-to-apples comparison (include inland freight, customs duty, VAT and local handling). Also check the seller’s policy for re-test or rejection — a low price without clear QC commitments can be a false economy.

Quality, testing and specification items you must insist on

For purchase orders we recommend requiring:

• Mill Test Report (MTR) that lists chemical composition and mechanical properties; reference UNS S41600 and the exact ASTM/EN spec (e.g., ASTM A276/A582 or EN equivalent).

• Certificate type: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 for critical applications.

• Hardness & tensile tests: If parts will be heat-treated or used in load-bearing assemblies.

• Surface finish tolerance: concentricity, roundness and diameter tolerance for precision machining.

• PMI (positive material identification) or lab analysis on arrival for high-risk orders.

• Packaging & traceability: heat/lot number on bundles.

For safety-critical or export projects, escalate to third-party inspection pre-shipment.

Application-driven cost considerations

• High-volume machining: 416 frequently reduces total part cost because machining cycle time is shorter — the alloy’s sulfur additions form machinability inclusions and cut tooling loads. The raw metal may be slightly cheaper and savings on machining will often dominate total cost of ownership.

• Wear & hardness needs: If parts require surface hardness, factor in heat treatment cost and potential distortion risk. Some buyers accept a higher material price for a grade that needs less post-processing.

• Corrosion exposure: 416’s corrosion resistance is moderate; for aggressive environments (chlorides, seawater) austenitic or duplex grades may be required despite higher metal cost. Evaluate life-cycle cost, not just upfront price.

Practical procurement recommendations

1. Specify the exact standard and certificate requirement in the PO (e.g., “AISI 416 / UNS S41600, ASTM A276, MTR EN 10204 3.1”).

2. Request sample cuts for critical dimensions before committing to a full lot.

3. Ask for price breaks at realistic steps (5 MT, 10 MT) — many Chinese mills reduce price materially above 5–10 MT.

4. Include acceptance criteria for hardness and machinability if you plan heavy turning.

5. Negotiate packaging & insurance into CIF prices if you prefer a single landed figure.

6. Audit supplier QC for repeat business — even inexpensive grades can cause rework costs if supplied out of spec.

Risk notes & common sourcing pitfalls

• Mis-labelled grades: some merchant listings interchange 410/416 or list “416R” or non-standard finishes — confirm UNS number.

• “Too good to be true” prices: extremely low FOB numbers may omit certificates, use recycled mixed heats, or be for low-quality hot-rolled product.

• Delivery delays: tight lead times can push buyers to local distributors paying a premium; factor this into your total procurement decision.

FAQs

Q1 — What is a realistic landed price for 416 bar to the USA in 2025?
A: For small quantities from a distributor expect ~USD $7–18/kg; for bulk containers imported from China (10+ MT) expect blended landed costs often between $2.5–6/kg depending on freight and duties. Use current quotes.

Q2 — Is 416 the same as 410 or 420?
A: No. 416 is a free-machining variant (sulfur/phosphorus additions) of the martensitic family; 410/420 have different carbon and alloy balances and different mechanical/corrosion profiles. Check UNS numbers (S41600 vs S41000 etc.).

Q3 — Should I pay extra for ASTM/EN certificates?
A: If parts are safety-critical or will be resold, yes — certified MTRs (EN 10204 3.1/3.2) add cost but protect against out-of-spec shipments. For simple prototypes, a supplier COA may suffice.

Q4 — How does finish affect price?
A: Cold-drawn/bright bar and ground/turned products cost more than hot-rolled bar. Also tight diameter tolerances and long lengths incur premium handling. Confirm finish in the PO.

Q5 — Is 416 a good choice for seawater applications?
A: Not normally. 416 has only moderate corrosion resistance; for continuous seawater exposure choose duplex or higher-alloy stainless grades. If seawater exposure is intermittent and parts are sacrificial or replaceable, 416 may still be used but with protective design.