Stainless Steel E308H
ASTM A5.4
E308H is a higher-carbon 19Cr-9Ni austenitic covered electrode to AWS A5.4 (UNS W30810), supplied in -15, -16 and -17 coatings, with carbon deliberately held up to raise elevated-temperature creep strength.
Reference datasheet — E308H is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the AW condition
E308H tempers and conditions
E308H is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld solution annealed 1040–1100 °C, rapid cooled | Use when the weldment must be corrosion-optimised and stress-free; dissolves carbides and most delta ferrite but drops yield strength sharply. | 265 | 560 | 50 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
E308H-17 | Higher-silica variant of -16 with fluid slag and flatter beads; best for flat/horizontal fill passes. | 405 | 590 | 42 | 8 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
E308H-16 | Most commonly stocked coating type; smooth arc and good bead appearance on AC or DC+. | 415 | 595 | 40 | 9 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition of the deposit for 304H joints; use when no post-weld heat treatment is applied. | 420 | 600 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
E308H-15 | Pick for out-of-position work and best weld-metal toughness/low hydrogen; DC electrode positive only. | 435 | 610 | 38 | 10 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Long-term exposure / aged 600–750 °C | Reference condition for design of high-temperature 304H welds after thousands of hours; strength holds up but toughness and intergranular corrosion resistance fall due to carbide/sigma precipitation. | 450 | 620 | 25 | 14 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is E308H?
E308H is a higher-carbon 19Cr-9Ni austenitic covered electrode to AWS A5.4 (UNS W30810), supplied in -15, -16 and -17 coatings, with carbon deliberately held up to raise elevated-temperature creep strength. It is used to weld 304H piping, pressure vessels and CF8-type castings for service to about 760 °C, giving as-welded values near 420 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 40% elongation and 180 HB (88 HRB). The higher carbon reduces intergranular corrosion resistance, so E308H should be matched only to 304H/CF8-type base metal and not substituted for 308L on L-grade materials or in wet corrosive service. E308H 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). E308H has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is E308H used for?
- high-temperature pressure vessels
- 304H stainless piping
- power generation equipment
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
E308H properties
Typical room-temperature values for E308H-AW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E308H 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).
Mechanical16
E308H has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
E308H 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 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E308H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E308H takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
E308H's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. E308H is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E308H
Is E308H easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like 304H: gummy and work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive rake carbide, heavy feed and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can E308H be welded?
Redry electrodes (250–300 °C for basic types), keep interpass below ~150 °C for thick sections, use stringer beads and no preheat; match E308H only to 304H/CF8-type base metal, not to L-grades needing IGC resistance.
Can E308H be formed, bent or molded?
Deposit is ductile (35–48% elongation) and can be dressed or peened, but heavy cold work raises hardness quickly and should be followed by solution anneal if corrosion service demands it.
E308H 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cdeliberately raised for creep strength | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Cr | 18 – 21 | 19.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Sicoating-dependent | ≤ 0.9 | 0.5 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.75 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E308H?
Remove all slag and heat tint by grinding, pickling paste or blasting, then passivate; not anodizable — electropolish for hygienic or high-temperature scale-free surfaces.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel E308H in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A5.4
- Similar grades
- W30810
How much does E308H cost?
E308H is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E308H — frequently asked
What is E308H used for?
E308H is typically used for high-temperature pressure vessels, 304H stainless piping and power generation equipment. In short: creep-strength version of 308; for 304H high-temperature welds; not for L-grade service.
What is the yield strength of E308H?
E308H has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is E308H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like 304H: gummy and work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive rake carbide, heavy feed and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can E308H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Redry electrodes (250–300 °C for basic types), keep interpass below ~150 °C for thick sections, use stringer beads and no preheat; match E308H only to 304H/CF8-type base metal, not to L-grades needing IGC resistance.
What surface finishes work on E308H?
Remove all slag and heat tint by grinding, pickling paste or blasting, then passivate; not anodizable — electropolish for hygienic or high-temperature scale-free surfaces.
Can E308H be formed, bent or molded?
Deposit is ductile (35–48% elongation) and can be dressed or peened, but heavy cold work raises hardness quickly and should be followed by solution anneal if corrosion service demands it.
What is the maximum service temperature of E308H?
E308H 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 E308H-AW and E308H-SA?
AW is the default condition — default condition of the deposit for 304H joints; use when no post-weld heat treatment is applied. SA: use when the weldment must be corrosion-optimised and stress-free; dissolves carbides and most delta ferrite but drops yield strength sharply. Yield strength is 420 MPa in AW versus 265 MPa in SA.
How much does E308H cost?
E308H is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2012)
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods (ER308H) — American Welding Society (2017)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C / Section IX — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Stainless SMAW electrode all-weld-metal datasheets (E308H-15/-16/-17) — Böhler Welding / ESAB / Lincoln Electric (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.