Stainless Steel E309-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
EN E309 · UNS W30910 · ASTM A5.4 · GB E309-16
Reference condition for all mechanical data: undiluted deposit tested in the as-welded state, no PWHT.
Values for the AW condition
Other E309 tempers and conditions
E309 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at E309.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heavy iron-powder coated, high-recovery electrode | Use for high deposition-rate cladding and buffer layers on flat work; restricted to flat and horizontal-fillet positions. | 410 | 590 | 34 | 12 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Rutile/silica (acid-rutile) coated electrode, AC or DCEP | Choose for the flattest, smoothest bead appearance and best wetting in fillets and cladding; slightly higher Si, fluid slag, limited vertical-up performance. | 415 | 595 | 36 | 12 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
E309-16Default Rutile (titania) coated covered electrode, AC or DCEP | Default stocked E309 electrode: smooth arc, easy slag release, AC or DCEP, all positions except vertical-down. | 420 | 600 | 37 | 11 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Reference condition for all mechanical data: undiluted deposit tested in the as-welded state, no PWHT. | 420 | 600 | 37 | 185 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Lime (basic) coated covered electrode, DCEP only | Pick for maximum weld-metal toughness and cleanliness, out-of-position work and restrained dissimilar joints; DCEP only, rougher bead. | 430 | 610 | 40 | 10 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Post-weld heat treated | Condition when the joint must follow the carbon-steel side PWHT; expect ferrite transformation to sigma, higher strength/hardness and markedly lower toughness and ductility. | 440 | 620 | 28 | 200 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
What is E309-AW?
E309-AW is E309 heat treated to AW — reference condition for all mechanical data: undiluted deposit tested in the as-welded state, no PWHT. E309-AW 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 37% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). E309-AW 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). E309-16 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 850°C (1,562 °F), better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
E309-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for E309-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E309 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E309-AW 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).
Mechanical17
E309-AW 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 37% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
E309-AW is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °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 15 µm/m·K (8.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E309-AW conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 59% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E309-AW takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability5
E309-AW's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E309-AW
Is E309 easy to machine?
Deposit machines like Type 309/310 — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp carbide, positive rake, heavy positive feed and no dwell, with flood coolant.
Can E309 be welded?
Redry electrodes (rutile ~120 °C, lime ~250–300 °C), keep a short arc, stringer beads, interpass below ~150 °C; one or two E309 buffer layers before depositing 308L/316L on carbon steel.
Can E309 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — the deposit is ductile (≥30 % elongation) but rapidly work-hardens, so avoid cold straightening of clad or buffered assemblies.
What surface finishes work on E309?
Grind/blend with stainless-dedicated abrasives, then pickle and passivate; ferrite stringers can etch darker than the surrounding austenite when polished.
E309 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, AWS A5.4 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Cr | 22 – 25 | 23.5 |
| Ni | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Siupper end typical for -17 coatings | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
E309-AW — frequently asked
What is E309-AW used for?
E309-AW is typically used for carbon-to-stainless dissimilar joints, cladding on carbon steel and buffer layers. In short: dissimilar-metal joining filler; standard buffer-layer electrode; service to 850 C.
What is the yield strength of E309-AW?
E309-AW 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 E309-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Deposit machines like Type 309/310 — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp carbide, positive rake, heavy positive feed and no dwell, with flood coolant.
Can E309-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Redry electrodes (rutile ~120 °C, lime ~250–300 °C), keep a short arc, stringer beads, interpass below ~150 °C; one or two E309 buffer layers before depositing 308L/316L on carbon steel.
What surface finishes work on E309-AW?
Grind/blend with stainless-dedicated abrasives, then pickle and passivate; ferrite stringers can etch darker than the surrounding austenite when polished.
Can E309-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — the deposit is ductile (≥30 % elongation) but rapidly work-hardens, so avoid cold straightening of clad or buffered assemblies.
What is the maximum service temperature of E309-AW?
E309-AW is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E309-16 and E309 PWHT?
E309-16 is the default condition — default stocked E309 electrode: smooth arc, easy slag release, AC or DCEP, all positions except vertical-down. PWHT: condition when the joint must follow the carbon-steel side PWHT; expect ferrite transformation to sigma, higher strength/hardness and markedly lower toughness and ductility. Yield strength is 420 MPa in E309-16 versus 440 MPa in PWHT.
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 E309/E309-16 all-weld-metal data — ESAB / Kobelco / (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.