ER308L – wire and rod for 304L stainless
Low-carbon 19Cr-10Ni austenitic filler metal, the standard for welding 304 and 304L stainless steels in process equipment, piping and structures.
Product forms and equivalents
| Process | Classification |
|---|---|
| TIG rod (GTAW) | ER308L |
| Solid MIG/MAG wire (GMAW) | ER308L / ER308LSi |
| Covered electrode (SMAW) | E308L-16/-17 – AWS A5.4 |
| Flux-cored wire (FCAW) | E308LT0-1/-4 – AWS A5.22 |
| Submerged arc wire (SAW) | ER308L + flux |
| Designation | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS | ER308L |
| Specification | AWS A5.9/A5.9M / ASME SFA-5.9 |
| UNS | S30883 |
| Others | EN ISO 14343-A: W/G 19 9 L; W.Nr. 1.4316 |
Chemical composition (%)
| Element | wt. % |
|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03 |
| Cr | 19.5 – 22.0 |
| Ni | 9.0 – 11.0 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.75 |
| Mn | 1.0 – 2.5 |
| Si | 0.30 – 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 |
Properties of the deposited metal
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength of deposited metal | ≥ 520 MPa (AWS A5.4 minimum for E308L, reference) |
| Elongation | ≥ 35 % (AWS A5.4 minimum for E308L, reference) |
Materials welded with ER308L
Why the composition differs from the base metal
The wire has slightly more chromium than 304L to form 3 to 10 % delta ferrite in the bead. That small fraction of ferrite prevents hot cracking during solidification, something a 100 % austenitic deposit with the same chemistry as the plate could not do.
Welding precautions
- Does not require preheating; keep interpass below 150 °C.
- Use moderate heat input to limit sensitization and distortion.
- TIG shielding with pure argon; in MIG/MAG use argon with 1–2 % O2 or 2–3 % CO2. Argon root purge in tubes.
- Clean with a stainless steel brush dedicated to stainless to avoid iron contamination.
Frequently asked questions
What is ER308L used for?
Low-carbon 19Cr-10Ni austenitic filler metal, the standard for welding 304 and 304L stainless steels in process equipment, piping and structures.
Why is the composition of ER308L different from the material it welds?
The wire has slightly more chromium than 304L to form 3 to 10 % delta ferrite in the bead. That small fraction of ferrite prevents hot cracking during solidification, something a 100 % austenitic deposit with the same chemistry as the plate could not do.
Which covered electrode corresponds to ER308L?
E308L-16/-17 – AWS A5.4.
What precautions apply when welding with ER308L?
Does not require preheating; keep interpass below 150 °C. Use moderate heat input to limit sensitization and distortion. TIG shielding with pure argon; in MIG/MAG use argon with 1–2 % O2 or 2–3 % CO2. Argon root purge in tubes. Clean with a stainless steel brush dedicated to stainless to avoid iron contamination.
