ER316L – wire and rod for 316L and 316Ti stainless
Austenitic filler metal with 2–3 % molybdenum and low carbon, used on 316, 316L and 316Ti stainless steels where chlorides and organic acids are present.
Product forms and equivalents
| Process | Classification |
|---|---|
| TIG rod (GTAW) | ER316L |
| Solid MIG/MAG wire (GMAW) | ER316L / ER316LSi |
| Covered electrode (SMAW) | E316L-16/-17 – AWS A5.4 |
| Flux-cored wire (FCAW) | E316LT0-1/-4 – AWS A5.22 |
| Submerged arc wire (SAW) | ER316L + flux |
| Designation | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS | ER316L |
| Specification | AWS A5.9/A5.9M / ASME SFA-5.9 |
| UNS | S31683 |
| Others | EN ISO 14343-A: W/G 19 12 3 L; W.Nr. 1.4430 |
Chemical composition (%)
| Element | wt. % |
|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03 |
| Cr | 18.0 – 20.0 |
| Ni | 11.0 – 14.0 |
| Mo | 2.0 – 3.0 |
| 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 | ≥ 490 MPa (AWS A5.4 minimum for E316L, reference) |
| Elongation | ≥ 30 % (AWS A5.4 minimum for E316L, reference) |
Materials welded with ER316L
Dissimilar joints: Can join 316L to 304L when the joint requires the corrosion resistance of the molybdenum-bearing side.
Why the composition differs from the base metal
Chromium and nickel are adjusted to produce a few percent of ferrite in the bead, which reduces the risk of hot cracking. In the case of 316Ti, the titanium of the base metal is not repeated in the wire because it is lost in the arc; it is the low carbon that guarantees intergranular corrosion resistance.
Welding precautions
- No preheating; interpass up to 150 °C.
- TIG shielding with pure argon; in MIG/MAG use argon with 1–2 % O2 or 2–3 % CO2. Argon root purge in tubes.
- For medical-grade 316LVM, confirm with the design whether welding is allowed, since the bead does not have the same purity as the vacuum-remelted material.
Frequently asked questions
What is ER316L used for?
Austenitic filler metal with 2–3 % molybdenum and low carbon, used on 316, 316L and 316Ti stainless steels where chlorides and organic acids are present.
Why is the composition of ER316L different from the material it welds?
Chromium and nickel are adjusted to produce a few percent of ferrite in the bead, which reduces the risk of hot cracking. In the case of 316Ti, the titanium of the base metal is not repeated in the wire because it is lost in the arc; it is the low carbon that guarantees intergranular corrosion resistance.
Which covered electrode corresponds to ER316L?
E316L-16/-17 – AWS A5.4.
What precautions apply when welding with ER316L?
No preheating; interpass up to 150 °C. TIG shielding with pure argon; in MIG/MAG use argon with 1–2 % O2 or 2–3 % CO2. Argon root purge in tubes. For medical-grade 316LVM, confirm with the design whether welding is allowed, since the bead does not have the same purity as the vacuum-remelted material.
