Stainless Steel E308H-SA
Heat-treated state
ASTM A5.4
SA = 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.
Values for the SA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAThis page 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-SA?
E308H-SA is E308H heat treated to SA — use when the weldment must be corrosion-optimised and stress-free; dissolves carbides and most delta ferrite but drops yield strength sharply. E308H-SA has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 81% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). E308H-SA 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; SA is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 265 MPa (38.4 ksi), worse than 81% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
E308H-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for E308H-SA; 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-SA 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-SA has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 81% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
E308H-SA 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-SA conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 68% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E308H-SA 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-SA's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E308H-SA
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-SA — frequently asked
What is E308H-SA used for?
E308H-SA 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-SA?
E308H-SA has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 81% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is E308H-SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% 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-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). 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-SA?
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-SA 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-SA?
E308H-SA 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.