Stainless Steel E308H Aged
Heat-treated state
ASTM A5.4
Aged = 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.
Values for the Aged condition
Other E308H tempers and conditions
E308H is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at E308H.
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 |
AgedThis page 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 Aged?
E308H Aged is E308H heat treated to Aged — 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. E308H Aged has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 192 GPa (27.8 Msi). E308H Aged 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). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Aged is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
E308H Aged properties
Typical room-temperature values for E308H Aged; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E308H reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E308H Aged 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 Aged has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 192 GPa (27.8 Msi).
Thermal6
E308H Aged is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E308H Aged conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E308H Aged 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 Aged's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E308H Aged
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.
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.
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 | — |
E308H Aged — frequently asked
What is E308H Aged used for?
E308H Aged 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 Aged?
E308H Aged has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is E308H Aged easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% 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 Aged be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). 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 Aged?
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 Aged 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 Aged?
E308H Aged 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.