Stainless Steel E309L
UNS W30913 · ASTM A5.4 · GB E309L-16
E309L is the low-carbon E309 covered electrode (UNS W30913, AWS A5.4, supplied as E309L-15, -16, -17, -25 and -26) and the standard choice for dissimilar carbon-to-stainless welds and cladding of carbon and low-alloy steel.
Reference datasheet — E309L 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 E309L-16 condition
E309L tempers and conditions
E309L is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. E309L-16 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-deposition basic coating, DCEP, flat/horizontal positions | Heavy-coated high-recovery electrode for productive downhand overlay of carbon steel; not for all-position work. | 395 | 560 | 36 | 190 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
E309L-16Default Titania (rutile) lime-titania coating, AC or DCEP, all-position | Default stocked electrode: smooth arc and easy slag release on AC or DC+, used for most dissimilar and overlay work. | 400 | 570 | 38 | 190 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Silica-titania (acid-rutile) coating, AC or DCEP | Choose for the flattest, best-wetting bead appearance and fast travel on sheet and cladding; slightly stiffer, less fluid than -16 in vertical-up. | 400 | 575 | 36 | 192 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
High-deposition titania coating, AC or DCEP, flat/horizontal positions | AC-capable high-recovery version for large-area stainless buttering/cladding where deposition rate governs. | 400 | 570 | 35 | 192 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Basic (lime) coating, DCEP only | Pick when the lowest hydrogen/oxygen deposit and best ductility-toughness are needed, e.g. restrained dissimilar joints and root passes. | 405 | 560 | 40 | 183 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
What is E309L?
E309L is the low-carbon E309 covered electrode (UNS W30913, AWS A5.4, supplied as E309L-15, -16, -17, -25 and -26) and the standard choice for dissimilar carbon-to-stainless welds and cladding of carbon and low-alloy steel. As-welded deposit is typically 400 MPa yield, 570 MPa tensile, 38 % elongation and 190 HB (88 HRB), with service to 800 C. Low carbon reduces sensitization in the diluted first layer, at the cost of some high-temperature strength versus E309. Choose E309 where 850 C service governs and carbide precipitation is not a concern. E309L 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). E309L has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is E309L used for?
- dissimilar metal welding
- stainless cladding/overlay
- buffer layers before stainless weld overlay
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
E309L properties
Typical room-temperature values for E309L-E309L-16; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E309L 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
E309L has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
E309L 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 15 µm/m·K (8.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E309L conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 63% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E309L takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
E309L's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100).
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. E309L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E309L
Is E309L easy to machine?
As-welded deposit machines like 309/304 — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp carbide, positive rake, heavy feed and flood coolant, and expect ~40 % of 1212 speeds.
Can E309L be welded?
Deposit at moderate heat input with stringer beads, interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat needed on stainless; redry electrodes (≈250–300 °C) and keep dilution low so ferrite stays ~10 FN when welding onto carbon steel.
Can E309L be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — the electrode core wire is drawn and extrusion-coated; deposits are cold-formable only as weld-overlay clad plate with generous bend radii.
E309L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon grade | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 22 – 25 | 23.5 |
| Ni | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Sihigher end typical for -17/-26 coatings | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| Curesidual only | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Febalance; undiluted deposit ferrite typically 10–20 FN | balance |
What surface finishes work on E309L?
Grind or pickle-and-passivate (ASTM A380/A967) to remove slag, heat tint and iron pickup; magnetic ferrite makes the bead slightly darker after polishing than 308L.
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 E309L in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- W30913
- ASTM
- A5.4
- GB (China)
- E309L-16
- Also called
- AWS A5.4 E309LAWS A5.4 E309L-XX
How much does E309L cost?
E309L is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E309L — frequently asked
What is E309L used for?
E309L is typically used for dissimilar metal welding, stainless cladding/overlay and buffer layers before stainless weld overlay. In short: low-carbon dissimilar-joint filler; standard cladding electrode; tolerant of carbon-steel dilution.
What is the yield strength of E309L?
E309L has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is E309L easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). As-welded deposit machines like 309/304 — gummy and work-hardening; use sharp carbide, positive rake, heavy feed and flood coolant, and expect ~40 % of 1212 speeds.
Can E309L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Deposit at moderate heat input with stringer beads, interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat needed on stainless; redry electrodes (≈250–300 °C) and keep dilution low so ferrite stays ~10 FN when welding onto carbon steel.
What surface finishes work on E309L?
Grind or pickle-and-passivate (ASTM A380/A967) to remove slag, heat tint and iron pickup; magnetic ferrite makes the bead slightly darker after polishing than 308L.
Can E309L be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — the electrode core wire is drawn and extrusion-coated; deposits are cold-formable only as weld-overlay clad plate with generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of E309L?
E309L is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does E309L cost?
E309L is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), 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)
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Stainless SMAW electrode all-weld-metal data (E309L-15/-16/-17) — Böhler Welding / Lincoln Electric / ESAB (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.