Standard	Classification
AWS A5.9 / ASME SFA 5.9	ER308L
EN ISO 14343-A	G 19 9 L
EN ISO 14343-B	SS308L
UNS	S30880 / S30883*

* UNS designation may vary according to the applicable specification or product form. Please contact us for confirmation against your required standard or material certificate.

ER308L is primarily used for GMAW (MIG) and GTAW (TIG) processes. The corresponding covered electrode for manual SMAW welding is generally E308L-16, classified under AWS A5.4.

C	Mn	Si	Cr	Ni	P	S	Mo	Cu	Fe
≤0.03	1.0–2.5	≤0.65	19.0–22.0	9.0–11.0	≤0.03	≤0.03	≤0.75	≤0.75	Balance

Low carbon content improves resistance to intergranular corrosion in welded structures.

Property	Typical / Specification Value
Tensile Strength	≥520 MPa
Yield Strength	Typically ≥350 MPa
Elongation	Typically ≥30%

Actual values depend on the applicable standard, welding procedure, and test conditions. Product-specific MTC values are available upon request.

Ø Low Carbon Content: The carbon content is limited to a maximum of 0.03%, reducing carbide precipitation and helping minimize the risk of intergranular corrosion after welding.

Ø Excellent Weldability: ER308L provides stable arc performance, good weld pool control, and smooth metal transfer, making it suitable for both production welding and general stainless steel fabrication.

Ø Good Corrosion Resistance: The chromium-nickel composition provides good general corrosion resistance for a wide range of atmospheric, food-processing, chemical, and industrial environments.

Ø Suitable for 304 and 304L Stainless Steel: ER308L is the commonly selected filler metal for joining 304/304L stainless steels and other similar 18Cr-8Ni austenitic stainless steels. It can also be used for selected stabilized grades such as 321 and 347 when service conditions are appropriate.

Ø Good Resistance to Weld Cracking: The balanced Cr-Ni composition produces a controlled amount of ferrite in the weld metal, helping improve resistance to hot cracking during welding.

Welding Process	Typical Shielding Gas	Polarity
MIG / GMAW	Argon-based gas mixtures	DCEP
TIG / GTAW	100% Argon	DCEN

For GMAW, argon-based shielding gases with small additions of CO₂ or O₂ are commonly used depending on the welding procedure and required transfer mode. TIG welding generally uses 100% argon shielding gas.

Actual voltage, current, wire feed speed, shielding gas flow rate, and welding technique should be selected according to wire diameter, base-metal thickness, joint configuration, and applicable WPS.

ER308L is primarily recommended for welding:

• 304 stainless steel
• 304L stainless steel
• 301 stainless steel
• 302 stainless steel
• 308 / 308L stainless steel
• Similar 18Cr-8Ni austenitic stainless steels
• Selected 321 and 347 stainless steels for suitable service conditions

For applications involving high-temperature service, severe corrosion, or dissimilar stainless steel combinations, filler-metal selection should be confirmed according to the base-metal grades and service conditions.

ER308L stainless steel welding wire is widely used in:

• Food processing equipment
• Dairy and beverage equipment
• Stainless steel tanks and vessels
• Chemical processing equipment
• Pharmaceutical equipment
• Stainless steel piping and tubing
• Heat exchangers
• Architectural and decorative stainless steel fabrication
• General stainless steel structures
• Sheet metal and equipment fabrication

ER308L is particularly suitable for applications where 304/304L stainless steel, good weldability, and general corrosion resistance are the primary requirements.

We can supply ER308L in different forms and specifications according to welding process and application:

Product Form	Process	Typical Sizes
MIG Welding Wire	GMAW	0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.6 mm and other sizes
TIG Filler Rod	GTAW	1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 mm and other sizes

Available spool, coil, tube, and carton packaging can be customized according to diameter, order quantity, and customer requirements.

The main difference is carbon content.

ER308L has a maximum carbon content of 0.03%, while standard ER308 permits a higher carbon content. The lower carbon level of ER308L reduces the risk of carbide precipitation and intergranular corrosion after welding.

For welding 304L and applications where resistance to weld sensitization is important, ER308L is generally the preferred choice.

Looking for a reliable ER308L welding wire supplier for your next project?

Send us your requirements for diameter, quantity, welding process, and destination. Our sales and technical team will confirm the suitable specification, packaging, lead time, and provide a competitive quotation.

• AWS A5.9 ER308L classification
• MTC and product documentation available

📧 Email: support@ronsteel.com