Stainless Steel 308-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 308 · UNS S30800 · JIS SUS308 · also ER308
Property set to use when specifying weld metal for joining 304/304H or for stainless overlay on carbon steel; deposit contains 4–10 FN ferrite for hot-crack resistance.
Values for the AW condition
Other 308 tempers and conditions
308 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 308.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard supply condition for S30800 wire, rod and bar: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for drawing, coiling and welding-consumable manufacture. | 260 | 585 | 55 | 150 HB | — |
308L As Welded | Choose the L version whenever the joint cannot be post-weld solution annealed and will see 425–870 °C or aggressive aqueous service (avoids sensitization). | 380 | 555 | 42 | 158 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Property set to use when specifying weld metal for joining 304/304H or for stainless overlay on carbon steel; deposit contains 4–10 FN ferrite for hot-crack resistance. | 420 | 585 | 40 | 170 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
308H As Welded | Use for welding 304H pressure parts in creep service — the carbon floor preserves elevated-temperature strength above ~540 °C. | 430 | 600 | 38 | 172 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Occasional mill temper for strip/wire where moderate strength gain is needed without losing all bend ductility. | 515 | 860 | 15 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for straightened cut-length MIG/TIG rod and spooled wire where cast/helix control and column stiffness for wire feeding matter more than ductility. | 550 | 760 | 25 | 21 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 308-AW?
308-AW is 308 heat treated to AW — property set to use when specifying weld metal for joining 304/304H or for stainless overlay on carbon steel; deposit contains 4–10 FN ferrite for hot-crack resistance. 308-AW has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 308-AW has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 815°C (1,499 °F), better than 77% of stainless steel grades
308-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for 308-AW; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 308 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
308-AW has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
308-AW has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
308-AW is rated for continuous service to 815°C (1,499 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
308-AW conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 308-AW takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
308-AW's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 308-AW
Is 308 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 308 be welded?
This is the filler grade itself — GTAW/GMAW/SAW/SMAW with Ar or Ar+2%CO₂; keep interpass below ~150 °C, target 4–10 FN ferrite (WRC-1992) and use 308L when no post-weld anneal is possible.
Can 308 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability and coilability in the annealed state, but high springback and rapid work hardening; interstage anneal at 1040–1120 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What surface finishes work on 308?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, pickle/passivate weld zones (paste or electrochemical) to restore the chromium oxide film, or electropolish for hygienic surfaces.
308 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.03 for 308L; 0.04–0.08 for 308H | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn1.0–2.5 in ER308 filler per AWS A5.9 | ≤ 2 | 1.6 |
| Si0.30–0.65 in ER308 wire | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P0.03 max in filler | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr19.5–22.0 in ER308 filler | 19 – 21 | 20 |
| Ni9.0–11.0 in ER308 filler | 10 – 12 | 11 |
| Moresidual limit (filler spec) | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Curesidual limit (filler spec) | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
308-AW — frequently asked
What is 308-AW used for?
308-AW is typically used for welding filler for 18-8 stainless, weld overlay cladding and food and chemical equipment. In short: standard 304 filler grade; higher Cr-Ni than 304; wire and rod forms.
What is the yield strength of 308-AW?
308-AW has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 308-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 308-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). This is the filler grade itself — GTAW/GMAW/SAW/SMAW with Ar or Ar+2%CO₂; keep interpass below ~150 °C, target 4–10 FN ferrite (WRC-1992) and use 308L when no post-weld anneal is possible.
What surface finishes work on 308-AW?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, pickle/passivate weld zones (paste or electrochemical) to restore the chromium oxide film, or electropolish for hygienic surfaces.
Can 308-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability and coilability in the annealed state, but high springback and rapid work hardening; interstage anneal at 1040–1120 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 308-AW?
308-AW is rated for continuous use to about 815°C (1,499 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 308-ANN and 308-CD?
ANN is the default condition — standard supply condition for S30800 wire, rod and bar: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for drawing, coiling and welding-consumable manufacture. CD: pick for straightened cut-length MIG/TIG rod and spooled wire where cast/helix control and column stiffness for wire feeding matter more than ductility. Yield strength is 260 MPa in ANN versus 550 MPa in CD.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods (ER308/ER308L/ER308H) — AWS (2017)
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Stainless Steel Electrodes for SMAW (E308-XX) — AWS (2012)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (UNS S30800) — ASTM (2017)
- ASTM A479/A479M — Stainless Steel Bars for Pressure Vessels — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (austenitic stainless filler metals) — ASM International (1993)
- ER308L / E308L consumable datasheets — Böhler Welding / Lincoln Electric / ESAB (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.