Stainless Steel 308L · temper · default condition
Stainless Steel 308L Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other 308L tempers.
Standard supply condition for TIG rod, bare wire and strip-cladding electrodes; softest and most ductile state.
What is 308L Annealed?
308L Annealed is 308L in the Annealed temper — standard supply condition for TIG rod, bare wire and strip-cladding electrodes; softest and most ductile state. 308L Annealed has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 308L Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
308L Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 308L Annealed — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 308L temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
308L Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
308L Annealed has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
308L Annealed is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °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 16.6 µm/m·K (9.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
308L Annealed conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 63% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 308L Annealed takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
308L Annealed's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 308L tempers and conditions
308L is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 308L overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard supply condition for TIG rod, bare wire and strip-cladding electrodes; softest and most ductile state.240 MPa yield · 150 HB
- Cold DrawnPick for spooled GMAW/SAW wire where column strength and feedability matter; strength is from drawing, not composition.600 MPa yield · 215 HB
- As WeldedUse these numbers when qualifying a 304/304L joint or overlay made with ER308L/E308L consumables.400 MPa yield · 170 HB
Working with 308L Annealed
Is 308L easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy feed, low speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can 308L be welded?
This IS the filler metal for 304/304L — run cool with low heat input, keep 5–12 FN ferrite, use Ar or Ar+2% CO₂ / 98Ar-2O₂ shielding and no preheat; avoid 550–850 °C soaks.
Can 308L be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability and strip formability in the annealed state, but plan for high springback and interstage annealing on heavy reductions.
What surface finishes work on 308L?
Pickle and passivate or electropolish weld areas to restore the chromium oxide film; brushing/polishing to 2B–No.4 finishes is easy, anodizing is not applicable.
308L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon to resist sensitization | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 19.5 – 22 | 20.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Sihigher Si grades (ER308LSi) up to 1.0 | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
308L Annealed — frequently asked
What is 308L Annealed used for?
308L Annealed is typically used for filler wire for 304/304L welds, covered welding electrodes, GTAW cut rod, submerged-arc and strip cladding wire, weld overlay on carbon steel and root passes in stainless piping. In short: welding-grade stainless wire.
What is the yield strength of 308L Annealed?
308L Annealed has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 308L Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy feed, low speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can 308L Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). This IS the filler metal for 304/304L — run cool with low heat input, keep 5–12 FN ferrite, use Ar or Ar+2% CO₂ / 98Ar-2O₂ shielding and no preheat; avoid 550–850 °C soaks.
What surface finishes work on 308L Annealed?
Pickle and passivate or electropolish weld areas to restore the chromium oxide film; brushing/polishing to 2B–No.4 finishes is easy, anodizing is not applicable.
Can 308L Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability and strip formability in the annealed state, but plan for high springback and interstage annealing on heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of 308L Annealed?
308L Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 308L Annealed?
Yes — 308L Annealed is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods (ER308L) — American Welding Society (2017)
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Stainless Steel Electrodes for SMAW (E308L) — American Welding Society (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- Stainless welding consumable datasheets (ER308L/E308L all-weld-metal properties) — Böhler Welding / Lincoln Electric (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.