In mid-2025, 416 stainless steel round bar remains a highly cost-effective, precision-machining ally for components demanding balanced strength, corrosion moderation, and free-machining capability. Global spot quotations range from ~US$1,860/metric ton in China to ~US$6,405/metric ton in the USA, with Germany and Korea lying in between. Luokaiwei, based in China, is well placed to offer superior factory-direct pricing, swift fulfillment, and tailored dimensions—from bright-drawn to centerless-ground finishes—making it an optimal solution for international buyers seeking quality and efficiency.

Material Overview: 416 Stainless Steel—Metallurgy & Classification

• 416 stainless steel (UNS S41600, AISI/ASTM A276) belongs to the martensitic family of the 400-series stainless steels.

• It is often lauded as the original free-machining stainless alloy, enhanced with sulfur (and sometimes phosphorus) to enable excellent machinability, albeit at the expense of some corrosion resistance relative to non-free-machining analogs.

• Typical composition includes ~12–14 % chromium, up to 0.15 % sulfur, ~0.06 % phosphorus, carbon ≤ 0.15 %, plus standard amounts of manganese and silicon.

• This metallurgical profile produces a magnetic, heat-treatable martensitic microstructure, enabling hardening through quenching and tempering.

Physical, Mechanical & Machining Characteristics

• Machinability: Among stainless steels, grade 416 offers machinability nearing 85 % of that of free-machining carbon steel, thanks to sulfur-induced inclusions that act as chip breakers.

• Strength & Hardness: Cold-drawn or bright-finished 416 bars have tensile strengths between 550–700 MPa, yield strength around 340 MPa, and hardness typically in the 152–207 HB range; some polished variants can exceed 241 HB.

• Corrosion Resistance: It possesses moderate resistance, especially in mild environments; due to sulfur, resistance is inferior to 304 or 316. Still, it's acceptable for many industrial and marine-adjacent applications.

• Heat Treatment: Capable of hardening by heat treatment to enhance strength and wear resistance; annealing is possible but may reduce machinability.

• Weldability: Generally not recommended for welding, as cracking risks arise from sulfur; welding, if needed, should be handled by experienced operators.

Geographical Price Comparison 2025

Below is a snapshot of stainless steel round bar pricing in mid-2025, across major regions:

Data reflect Q2 2025 pricing trends, specifically June, as reported by market analytics.

These figures underscore China's substantial cost advantage, aided by local ore availability, lower labor/input costs, and efficient manufacturing—factors your company, Luokaiwei, leverages to deliver highly competitive ex-factory quotes and global shipping support.

Price Influencing Factors

• Raw Material Volatility: Nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and ferroalloy costs drive stainless base prices. In 2025, mining fluctuations and trade shifts spurred notable regional price swings.

• Energy & Labor Costs: Elevated energy tariffs (e.g., in Germany) and labor shortages contribute to higher European prices.

• Transport & Logistics: Chinese ex-works prices reflect local production; additional logistics, tariffs, and currency shifts raise landed costs for importers.

• Factory-Gating vs. Processed Stock: Processing steps (cold-drawn, bright, ground) add value and cost; stock saw slight discounts but require cleanup.

• Inventory Cycles: Seasonal demand surges (e.g., in automotive, construction) lead to purchasing shifts impacting supply and price stability.

Luokaiwei: Customization & Supply Edge

As a specialist in 416 stainless round bar production in China, Luokaiwei offers:

• Factory-direct pricing significantly lower than U.S./European counterparts, aligning closely with the domestic benchmark of ~US$1,860/MT.

• Wide size range: from small diameters (e.g., 4 mm) up to large bars (e.g., 500 mm or beyond), meeting both standard and customer-specified tolerances (H8–H13, K9–K12, etc.).

• Finish options: cold-drawn, bright, centerless-ground, peeled, polished, No. 4 finish, black, etc.

• Heat treatment services: annealed, quenched and tempered, normalized per application needs.

• Quick turnaround: owing to abundant inventory and agile production, 7–15 days typical for most custom orders.

• Customization support: chamfering (30°, 45°, 60°), threading, hex/square shapes, packaging options, all backed by CNC, shot-blasting, MTC, MPI, third-party inspection, and SGS coordination.

• Export experience: frequent shipments to North America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast/South Asia—supported by export expertise and favorable packaging.

This combination of cost, versatility, and responsiveness provides a compelling advantage for global buyers.

Application Spectrum & Industry Use Cases

• Precision Components: Fasteners, nuts/bolts, valve stems, bushings—where machining efficiency, dimensional accuracy, and moderate durability are essential.

• Mechanical Parts: Shafts, compressor parts (e.g., shrouds) used in machinery demanding oxidation resistance under moderate stress.

• Consumer & Household Items: Door handles, kitchenware fixtures, faucets—owing to its moderate corrosion resistance and machinability.

• Electrical/Transformer Components: Magnetic properties make 416 suitable for simplified electrical components like transformer parts.

• Industrial Usage: Pulp and paper, chemical processing, and petrochemical sectors leverage its cost and machining profile.

Standards, Heat Treatment & Processing Details

• Grading & Specs: ASTM A276 (AISI 416), UNS S41600, WNR 1.4005, SUS 416; International standards include EN, DIN, JIS, BS.

• Processing Options:

  • Sizes: round (4 mm–500 mm), square, hex, flat; lengths typically 1–6 m (custom up to 12 m).

  • Finishes: bright, polished, Matt, ground, peeled, rough-turned, No. 4, BA, etc..

  • Tolerances: H8–H13, K9–K12 depending on finish and client requirement.

• Thermal Control: Annealing, quenching and tempering, solution annealing; incorrect annealing may reduce machinability.

• Quality Assurance: Material test certificates (MTC), third-party inspection, magnetic particle, PMI, radiography—ensuring compliance and traceability.

Supply Chain & Lead Time Considerations

• Inventory-based delivery: For standard sizes, Luokaiwei ships from stock—typical lead time 7–10 days.

• Custom production: For unique sizes or finishes, 10–20 days depending on volume and complexity.

• Logistics: Efficient packaging, consolidation, and documentation ensure smooth exports; inland/outbound transport partners provide full logistics support.

• Global support: Clients in Europe, North America, Middle East, South/Southeast Asia benefit from experience, communication, and favorable delivery terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How does 416 stainless round bar compare with 304/316 in corrosion resistance?
A: 416 has lower corrosion resistance due to sulfur content; fine for indoor, mild environments, but 304/316 is superior for aggressive or marine conditions.

Q2: Can 416 stainless bars be welded without failure?
A: Welding is discouraged; high sulfur raises crack risks. If necessary, use experts and post-heat treatment.

Q3: What machining benefits does 416 offer?
A: Excellent—around 85 % of machinability of carbon steel; allows faster tool speeds and longer tool life.

Q4: What finishes are available from Luokaiwei?
A: Numerous—cold-drawn, centerless-ground, bright, polished, No. 4, black, with tight tolerances upon request.

Q5: What’s the typical delivery time for large customized orders?
A: For standard stock, 7–10 days; custom production including CNC or heat treatment: around 10–20 days, depending on scale and complexity.

Authoritative References

• Martensitic stainless steel – Wikipedia
• SAE steel grades – Wikipedia
• 2207 Stainless Steel Flat Bar