Filler Wire-ER 308L

About Filler Wire-ER 308L

What Is ER 308L Filler Wire?

• Type: Solid (non-fluxed) stainless-steel filler wire / rod used in TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) welding. Welding Alloys+2Weldtool Technologies+2

• Specification / Classification:

  • AWS / ASME: A5.9 / SFA 5.9. Betaweld+1

  • UNS Number: S30883. Welding Alloys

  • EN ISO: G 19 9 L / W 19 9 L. Welding Alloys

• Alloy type: Austenitic stainless steel, low-carbon (L) grade to minimize intergranular carbide precipitation. Weldtool Technologies+2Caston Electrode+2

Chemical Composition

Typical chemical makeup of ER 308L weld metal (wt-%) is approximately:

Mechanical Properties

• Tensile Strength: Around 85,000 psi (~ 585 MPa) for some grades. Weldtool Technologies

• Yield Strength: ~57,000 psi reported by some sources. Weldtool Technologies

• Elongation: ~39% (good ductility) in some product data. Inweld Corporation

Key Features & Advantages

1. Low Carbon (L)
   The L in 308L means low carbon content, which helps reduce carbide precipitation during welding. This is important because carbides (like chromium carbides) can form at grain boundaries during cooling, leading to sensitization and making the weld susceptible to intergranular corrosion. Material Welding+2Betaweld+2

2. Corrosion Resistance
   Because of its alloy composition (Cr-Ni), ER 308L offers good corrosion resistance, especially in general-purpose, moderate-corrosion environments. Tullyn+2Advani Electrodes+2

3. Good Crack Resistance / Hot Cracking Resistance
   It has enough ferrite content in the weld metal to reduce hot cracking risks when welding austenitic stainless steels like 304 / 304L. Material Welding

4. Toughness / Low-temperature Performance
   Some versions are used in cryogenic applications because of their toughness. Weldporn WELD EVERY DAMN DAY

5. Weld Quality
   Typically produces smooth, stable arc, good weld appearance, low spatter (especially in MIG), and can achieve radiographic-quality welds. Caston Electrode

Applications and Use Cases

• Welding austenitic stainless steels: especially 304, 304L, 308, 308L, and equivalents. Welding Alloys+1

• General-purpose stainless fabrications: food / beverage, chemical, dairy, pharmaceutical industries. Advani Electrodes+1

• Pressure vessels, piping, tanks, and other structures where intergranular corrosion must be minimized. Weldtool Technologies

• Cryogenic applications (because of toughness). Weldporn WELD EVERY DAMN DAY

Welding Considerations / Parameters

• Shielding Gas (for TIG): Often 100% Argon is recommended for GTAW. Betaweld

• Current Type:

  • For MIG (GMAW): use DCEP (Direct Current Electrode Positive). Weldporn WELD EVERY DAMN DAY

  • For TIG (GTAW): use DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative) for many applications. Inweld Corporation

• Wire / Rod Sizes: Varies. For example, for TIG rods Betaweld data lists 1.6 mm and 2.4 mm sizes. Betaweld

• Weld Passes: Because of the low carbon, multiple-pass welds are more forgiving re: sensitization, but good technique is still needed to avoid overheating.

Limitations / Considerations

• Not ideal for extremely aggressive corrosion: While 308L is good for moderate environments, for very high corrosion (e.g. chloride, high temperature), other grades (like 316L or more specialized stainless) may be better.

• Dilution Sensitivity: When welding dissimilar metals (especially non-stainless), dilution can change the weld chemistry; ER 308L is primarily for similar stainless steels.

• Cost: Stainless filler wire (especially low-carbon) is more expensive than mild steel filler.

Example Products

Here are some representative ER 308L filler wires / rods:

• WeldingCityER308L TIG Welding Rods stainless TIG rods for thin to medium stainless work.

• Eastwood ER308L Filler Rod general-purpose stainless TIG filler.

• ER308L Solid MIG Wire (2lb spool) solid MIG wire for stainless repairs / fabrication.

• Arcon 12.5kg 1.20mm ER308L MIG Wire larger spool for production / repeated welding.