316Ti stainless steel plate pricing in 2025 spans a wide band: roughly USD 1.2–7.2 per kg depending on region, order size, form (coil, plate, sheet), finish, and supplier terms (FOB, EXW, retail). Expect OEM/wholesale offers from China toward the lower end of the band, premium certified/retail items in North America/Europe at the high end, and intermediate prices in India and other producing countries.
What is 316Ti? metallurgy and standards
316Ti is a titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel, sometimes referenced by UNS S31635, EN 1.4571, or other national designations. Titanium binds carbon to form stable carbides; this limits chromium carbide precipitation during high-temperature service or welding. The grade contains chromium (~16–18%), nickel (~10–14%), molybdenum (~2–3%), and a controlled titanium addition for stabilization. Equivalent grade names and spec references appear broadly in supplier literature and datasheets.
Why stabilization matters for plates: when plates undergo welding, heat-affected zones can form chromium carbides in unstabilized austenitic steels. Titanium ties up carbon, preserving chromium in solution and protecting corrosion resistance near welds. That characteristic explains why buyers choose 316Ti for heat-stressed and welded assemblies.
Key physical, mechanical and corrosion properties
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Corrosion resistance: comparable to 316 in many environments, with improved resistance to intergranular attack after welding or thermal exposure.
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Heat resistance: retains useful strength and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures (useful up to ~600°C in many service environments).
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Mechanical properties: ductile and formable; typical tensile and yield values depend on temper and thickness.
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Fabrication: weldable with conventional techniques; pick welding consumables and procedures carefully to maintain stabilization benefits.
These properties justify a premium versus standard 316 in applications where welding integrity or periodic exposure to higher temperatures is critical. That premium is reflected in both material cost and in supplier testing/certification charges.
Common applications that create demand
We typically see 316Ti plates used in:
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Heat exchangers and boilers in chemical plants, pulp and paper equipment, and oil & gas processing.
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High-temperature sections of chemical reactors and furnace components.
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Marine-adjacent architectural elements where welding integrity matters.
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Food, pharmaceutical, and medical equipment when high-temperature sterilization cycles are used.
The intersection of welding/heating exposure with corrosive service is the most frequent justification for selecting 316Ti over other 300-series grades. That use-case concentration concentrates demand from certain industrial buyers, which affects pricing and availability.
How price is formed — main cost drivers
316Ti pricing is not a single-factor outcome. The main drivers include:
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Raw-material inputs: nickel and molybdenum prices strongly influence 300-series stainless costs. Nickel in particular is a major cost component. Global nickel market swings and LME trends feed into mill surcharges.
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Form and finish: plate thickness, plate vs coil, hot-rolled vs cold-rolled, and surface finish add premiums. Mirror-polished or heavy cold-working increases cost.
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Quantity and MOQ: larger tonnage commands lower unit price through economies of scale and reduced per-unit processing/inspection overhead. Marketplaces and mills typically show steep price breaks above 5–10 tonnes.
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Certifications & testing: EN 10204 3.1/3.2 certificates, PMI testing, mill reports, and radiography raise supplier cost and handling time. Extra documentation can add a noticeable margin to quotes.
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Logistics and trade terms: whether pricing is quoted EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP changes the apparent unit cost. Shipping rates, export duties, and packaging standards also matter. Recent changes in export policy or freight rates can swing landed costs quickly.
Because multiple inputs move independently, buyers will commonly see large quoted ranges even for the same nominal plate grade.
Market snapshot and global price comparison table (2025)
Below is a condensed cross-region snapshot we prepared from supplier lists, commodity commentary and marketplace offers. Figures are indicative ranges for 316Ti plate in 2025 and are expressed per kilogram to make comparisons straightforward. Each row lists the typical commercial term and a short caveat.
Region / Channel | Typical Price Range (USD / kg) | Typical Commercial Term | Notes |
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China — factory/wholesale (bulk) | $1.2 – $2.5 / kg | EXW / FOB (bulk tonnage) | Marketplace listings and Chinese mill offers often show low entry prices for large-volume orders; finish and certificate level affects price. |
China — premium mills / smaller lots | $3.9 – $7.2 / kg | FOB / CIF for smaller lots | Specialized suppliers and premium-certified material quote higher; Chinese specialist report shows ranges in this band. |
India — domestic distributor | $4.5 – $6.0 / kg (approx.) | Ex-warehouse | Indian stockists report per-kg pricing in that band for standard bar/plate sizes; price influenced by local nickel and rupee movement. |
Europe — mill/wholesale | $2.5 – $6.5 / kg | EXW / FCA | European mill pricing tends to be higher when environmental compliance and certification are included. Market reports show mid-high ranges. |
USA — retail / cut-to-size | $3.0 – $10+ / kg (retailized) | Retail / distribution | Small-quantity cut-and-ship sales (sheet by piece) often carry heavy per-kg premiums; online retailers show per-sheet prices that imply very high per-kg costs for small pieces. |
Global spot / marketplace (Alibaba, Made-in-China) | $1.2 – $5.0 / kg | FOB / CN port | Wide variation across listings; many entries are indicative or require MOQs. |
How to read this table: ranges overlap because sellers target different buyer profiles. A 20-ton industrial order will land at the lower edge of a supplier’s price curve; a 100 kg cut plate with certificate and traceability will land near the top. Recent commodity reports emphasize this spread and tie it to nickel/moly price movement plus logistics.
Common vendor pricing patterns and negotiation levers
We see recurring commercial patterns you can use to lower cost:
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Volume breaks: consolidated tonnage and rolling contracts reduce per-kg charges dramatically. Suppliers often publish tiered pricing.
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Simplified certification: accepting a lower-level certificate (e.g., moving from 3.2 to 3.1 where allowed) can reduce cost. Only do this if permitted by your spec.
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Form choices: coil or hot-rolled plate tends to be cheaper than specialized cold-rolled plate. Choose the simplest acceptable form and finish.
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Local stock vs direct mill: stockist inventory reduces lead time but increases unit price. Direct mill shipments often require higher MOQs but yield better unit costs.
We recommend preparing a prioritized procurement matrix (must-have certificates, acceptable finishes, required dimensional tolerances) before requesting quotes; that helps suppliers give apples-to-apples pricing. Buyers who quote the detailed specification typically receive tighter, more reliable pricing.
Procurement checklist — what to specify in RFQs
When you ask vendors for quotes, include:
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Exact grade designation (e.g., 316Ti / UNS S31635 / EN 1.4571).
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Dimensions: thickness, width, length or coil ID/OD.
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Surface finish: hot-rolled, cold-rolled 2B, BA, #4, mirror, patterned.
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Mechanical property minimums and heat-treatment state.
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Required certificates (e.g., EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2, PMI, hardness report).
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Quantity and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP).
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Packaging and special marking requirements.
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Any authorized third-party inspection or testing at mill.
Providing full detail avoids scope creep in quotes and reduces the chance of surprise charges.
Lead times, MOQ, shipping and commercial terms
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Lead times depend on stock: stocked plate can ship in days; mill production with testing and certificates can take weeks. Expect 2–8 weeks typically for new mill orders including documentation.
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MOQs vary widely — some Chinese merchants list 1 tonne MOQs, while mills expect larger orders. Platforms show many suppliers with 1 ton MOQs but beware of supplier credibility and actual stock.
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Shipping: freight and insurance moves add meaningful landed cost. For small orders, freight per-kg is high; for full-container loads, unit freight drops significantly. Recent freight volatility still affects final CIF/DDP numbers.
Quality assurance, inspection and common non-conformances
We insist on certain quality actions when buying 316Ti plate:
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Request mill certificates that show chemical composition and heat number traceability.
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For welded or high-temperature service, ask for microstructural checks or PMI to confirm titanium stabilization and absence of deleterious precipitates.
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Check for dimensional tolerances, surface defects (scales, deep scratches), and flatness. Patterned/checker plates often have different thickness tolerances.
Typical non-conformances we see: wrong thickness tolerance, incomplete traceability paperwork, surface damage during transit, and improper marking that breaks certification chains. These are preventable through clear specifications and pre-shipment inspection (PSI).
Environmental and recycling notes that influence cost and sourcing
Stainless steel recycling and scrap availability affect mill input costs. Recycled content helps control cost and carbon footprint, but mills still price by alloy content because nickel and molybdenum recovery remains decisive. Environmental controls in producing regions (e.g., stricter emissions standards) can push local prices up, which buyers should factor into long-term contracts.
How we price quotes for customers
When we prepare a quotation for 316Ti plate we account for:
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Base mill price per kg for the ordered form/finish.
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Alloy premium (nickel/moly surcharge, calculated from current LME and moly indicators).
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Processing charges (cutting, edging, surface finish).
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Testing and certificate cost (mill report, third-party inspection if required).
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Packing and freight to agreed incoterm.
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Margin and commercial terms.
This transparent breakdown helps buyers see which items move in negotiations — often certification level or processing adds the most visible per-kg cost at smaller orders.
FAQs
Q1 — How different will 316Ti pricing be compared with 316L for a typical plate order?
A1 — Expect 316Ti to command a premium over 316L, typically in the range of 10–30%, because titanium addition and stabilization processing create higher mill cost and because demand is more specialized. Verify specific alloy surcharges in the supplier quote.
Q2 — If I need welded assemblies, must I insist on 316Ti rather than 316?
A2 — Not always. If weld heat cycles are severe or extended high-temperature exposure is expected, 316Ti provides added security against intergranular corrosion. For mild welding conditions, properly post-welded 316 or 316L with correct procedures may be acceptable. Check project codes before substituting.
Q3 — What certificate level should I request?
A3 — For critical industrial use require EN 10204 3.1 (mill test) or 3.2 (independent cert) where contractually specified. For non-critical uses, a 2.1/2.2 level may suffice and reduce cost. Confirm client and regulatory requirements.
Q4 — Are there reliable market feeds for live 316 or nickel-related pricing?
A4 — Yes. Commodity services and metal market intelligence platforms publish LME nickel and stainless surcharges; these are commonly used to set mill premiums. Use them to build index-linked contracts.
Q5 — How do I avoid being quoted artificially low prices that later spike?
A5 — Insist on written inclusions for alloy surcharges, MOQ, and certificate scope. If a quote looks too low relative to commodity benchmarks, request an explicit breakdown. Consider a firm price for a short delivery window or an indexed pricing clause.