Stainless Steel E308LT-1 AW-M
Finish state
GB E308LT1-1
AW-M = as-welded deposit, Ar/CO₂ mixed gas
Same wire family run on 75–80% Ar / balance CO₂ — lower spatter and slightly higher tensile/toughness, chosen for cleaner cosmetic welds.
Values for the AW-M condition
Other E308LT-1 tempers and conditions
E308LT-1 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at E308LT-1.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deposit solution annealed ~1050 °C, water quenched | Used when the whole fabrication is post-weld solution annealed (e.g. cladding, pressure parts) — softens the deposit, dissolves ferrite partially and maximises corrosion resistance. | 300 | 545 | 48 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard all-position FCAW deposit with 100% CO₂ shielding — the condition virtually all 308L flux-cored joints are used in. | 410 | 590 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AW-MThis page As-welded deposit, Ar/CO₂ mixed gas | Same wire family run on 75–80% Ar / balance CO₂ — lower spatter and slightly higher tensile/toughness, chosen for cleaner cosmetic welds. | 425 | 605 | 41 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
What is E308LT-1 AW-M?
E308LT-1 AW-M is E308LT-1 supplied in the AW-M condition — same wire family run on 75–80% Ar / balance CO₂ — lower spatter and slightly higher tensile/toughness, chosen for cleaner cosmetic welds. E308LT-1 AW-M has a yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 41% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). E308LT-1 AW-M 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; AW-M is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.3 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
E308LT-1 AW-M properties
Typical room-temperature values for E308LT-1 AW-M; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E308LT-1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E308LT-1 AW-M 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
E308LT-1 AW-M has a yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 41% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
E308LT-1 AW-M 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
E308LT-1 AW-M conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (64/100), better than 54% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E308LT-1 AW-M takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 6.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability5
E308LT-1 AW-M's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability good (68/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E308LT-1 AW-M
Is E308LT-1 easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like 304L — work-hardening and gummy; use sharp carbide, positive rake, rigid setup, heavy feed and flood coolant; grind out slag/oxide before cutting to protect edges.
Can E308LT-1 be welded?
FCAW with 100% CO₂ (T1-1) at ~26–30 V DCEP, 15–25 mm stickout, 20–25 L/min gas; all-position with the T1 rutile slag; keep interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat, deslag every pass.
Can E308LT-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Not formed as a product; the deposit itself is very ductile (≈40% elongation) and tolerates weld-joint bend testing and light peening/straightening.
What surface finishes work on E308LT-1?
Remove all slag and heat tint, then pickle/passivate (HNO₃-HF paste) or mechanically blast/brush with stainless-only media to restore the passive film before service.
E308LT-1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CL grade, low carbon | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 18 – 21 | 19.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 9.8 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.4 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Nb+Taresidual, some standards list Cb | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Febalance (undiluted weld metal) | balance | — |
E308LT-1 AW-M — frequently asked
What is E308LT-1 AW-M used for?
E308LT-1 AW-M is typically used for high-productivity FCAW of 304/304L structures, shipbuilding stainless fabrication, stainless storage tanks and vessel shells, process pipe spool fill and cap passes, structural stainless frames and platforms and food and dairy equipment structural welds. In short: high-deposition 308L wire; all-position flux-cored; faster than solid 308L.
What is the yield strength of E308LT-1 AW-M?
E308LT-1 AW-M has a typical yield strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E308LT-1 AW-M easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like 304L — work-hardening and gummy; use sharp carbide, positive rake, rigid setup, heavy feed and flood coolant; grind out slag/oxide before cutting to protect edges.
Can E308LT-1 AW-M be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). FCAW with 100% CO₂ (T1-1) at ~26–30 V DCEP, 15–25 mm stickout, 20–25 L/min gas; all-position with the T1 rutile slag; keep interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat, deslag every pass.
What surface finishes work on E308LT-1 AW-M?
Remove all slag and heat tint, then pickle/passivate (HNO₃-HF paste) or mechanically blast/brush with stainless-only media to restore the passive film before service.
Can E308LT-1 AW-M be formed, bent or molded?
Not formed as a product; the deposit itself is very ductile (≈40% elongation) and tolerates weld-joint bend testing and light peening/straightening.
What is the maximum service temperature of E308LT-1 AW-M?
E308LT-1 AW-M 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.
What is the difference between E308LT-1-AW and E308LT-1-SA?
AW is the default condition — standard all-position FCAW deposit with 100% CO₂ shielding — the condition virtually all 308L flux-cored joints are used in. SA: used when the whole fabrication is post-weld solution annealed (e.g. cladding, pressure parts) — softens the deposit, dissolves ferrite partially and maximises corrosion resistance. Yield strength is 410 MPa in AW versus 300 MPa in SA.
Sources
- AWS A5.22/A5.22M — Specification for Stainless Steel Flux Cored and Metal Cored Electrodes and Rods — AWS (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Stainless flux-cored wire 308L-type datasheets (Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Kobelco) — various producers (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.