Stainless Steel E308-25
Finish state
EN E308 · UNS W30810 · ASTM A5.4 · GB E308-16
E308-25 = heavy-coated, high-deposition flat/horizontal electrode, as-welded
Use only for flat and horizontal-fillet production welding where deposition rate matters more than positional capability.
Values for the E308-25 condition
Other E308 tempers and conditions
E308 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at E308.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rutile-silica coated, AC or DCEP, as-welded | Choose for the flattest, best-wetting bead appearance and easy slag release on fillets and sheet. | 390 | 570 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
E308-25This page Heavy-coated, high-deposition flat/horizontal electrode, as-welded | Use only for flat and horizontal-fillet production welding where deposition rate matters more than positional capability. | 390 | 570 | 38 | 178 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
E308-16Default Rutile (titania) coated, AC or DCEP, as-welded | Default all-position 304-matching electrode; smooth arc on AC or DC+ for general fabrication. | 400 | 580 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Lime/basic coated, DCEP only, as-welded | Pick when maximum weld-metal toughness, low hydrogen and out-of-position root passes on heavy sections are needed. | 405 | 570 | 42 | 175 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
What is E308-25?
E308-25 is E308 supplied in the E308-25 condition — use only for flat and horizontal-fillet production welding where deposition rate matters more than positional capability. E308-25 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). E308-25 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). E308-16 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; E308-25 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
E308-25 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E308-25; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E308 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E308-25 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
E308-25 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
E308-25 is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 15.5 W/m·K (8.96 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.6 µm/m·K (9.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E308-25 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E308-25 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
E308-25's machinability is fair (37/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (58/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E308-25
Is E308 easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like 304 — low speed, positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening; grinding is usually preferred for bead dressing.
Can E308 be welded?
SMAW with dry electrodes (re-bake 250–300 °C if damp), short arc, low heat input, interpass ≤150 °C; keep 5–12 FN ferrite to avoid hot cracking and do not use on 316/duplex chemistries.
Can E308 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; deposited metal is ductile (≥35 % elongation) and tolerates weld-joint straightening and light peening.
What surface finishes work on E308?
Remove all slag, then pickle/passivate or blast and electropolish to restore the chromium-oxide film and match base-metal corrosion performance; never anodize.
E308 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cundiluted weld metal | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 18 – 21 | 19.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 9.8 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Sihigher end for -17 coatings | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
E308-25 — frequently asked
What is E308-25 used for?
E308-25 is typically used for 304 stainless fabrication, food and dairy equipment and general stainless structures. In short: most common stainless electrode; matching filler for 304; general-purpose austenitic deposit.
What is the yield strength of E308-25?
E308-25 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is E308-25 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (37/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like 304 — low speed, positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening; grinding is usually preferred for bead dressing.
Can E308-25 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). SMAW with dry electrodes (re-bake 250–300 °C if damp), short arc, low heat input, interpass ≤150 °C; keep 5–12 FN ferrite to avoid hot cracking and do not use on 316/duplex chemistries.
What surface finishes work on E308-25?
Remove all slag, then pickle/passivate or blast and electropolish to restore the chromium-oxide film and match base-metal corrosion performance; never anodize.
Can E308-25 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; deposited metal is ductile (≥35 % elongation) and tolerates weld-joint straightening and light peening.
What is the maximum service temperature of E308-25?
E308-25 is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E308-16 and E308-17?
E308-16 is the default condition — default all-position 304-matching electrode; smooth arc on AC or DC+ for general fabrication. E308-17: choose for the flattest, best-wetting bead appearance and easy slag release on fillets and sheet. Yield strength is 400 MPa in E308-16 versus 390 MPa in E308-17.
Sources
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Stainless SMAW electrode all-weld-metal datasheets (E308-16/-15/-17) — 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.