Stainless Steel E312-16
Grade
EN E312 · UNS W31310
E312-16 = rutile (titania) coated electrode, AC or DCEP
Most widely stocked coating type: smooth arc, easy slag removal, all-position, runs on small AC or DC sets.
Values for the E312-16 condition
Other E312 tempers and conditions
E312 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at E312.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rutile-silicate (acid-rutile) coated electrode, AC or DCEP | Choose for the finest bead appearance and lowest spatter on sheet and cosmetic repair work; slightly more fluid slag than -16. | 570 | 770 | 26 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Lime (basic) coated electrode, DCEP only | Pick for maximum weld-metal cleanliness/toughness and out-of-position root runs on heavy or highly restrained joints; DC only, requires redrying. | 575 | 770 | 28 | 21 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard supplied/used condition: deposit tested and used in the as-welded state with 30–45 FN ferrite. | 580 | 780 | 26 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
E312-16This page Rutile (titania) coated electrode, AC or DCEP | Most widely stocked coating type: smooth arc, easy slag removal, all-position, runs on small AC or DC sets. | 580 | 780 | 25 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is E312-16?
E312-16 is E312 in the E312-16 grade — most widely stocked coating type: smooth arc, easy slag removal, all-position, runs on small AC or DC sets. E312-16 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). E312-16 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; E312-16 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 580 MPa (84.1 ksi), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 82% of stainless steel grades
E312-16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E312-16; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E312 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E312-16 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical17
E312-16 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal5
E312-16 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E312-16 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E312-16 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability6
E312-16's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E312-16
Is E312 easy to machine?
Hard, work-hardening duplex deposit — grind or use rigid setups with sharp carbide, low speed and heavy positive feed; avoid dwelling.
Can E312 be welded?
Weld with low heat input and stringer beads, interpass below ~150 °C, usually no preheat and no PWHT; redry electrodes (‑15 types especially) before use and keep dilution moderate to preserve ferrite and crack resistance.
Can E312 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form — the deposit is high-strength and low-ductility, so cold straightening or bending of 312 weld metal is not recommended.
What surface finishes work on E312?
Grind and pickle/passivate to remove slag and heat tint; the ferrite-rich weld is magnetic and etches differently from austenitic base metal, giving a visible colour/contrast line after polishing.
E312 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAWS A5.4 max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Cr | 28 – 32 | 29.5 |
| Ni | 8 – 10.5 | 9 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
E312-16 — frequently asked
What is E312-16 used for?
E312-16 is typically used for dissimilar steel joints, repair welding of unidentified alloys, buffer/butter layers and cast steel repair. In short: welds unknown steels; high-ferrite crack resistance; low-temperature service only.
What is the yield strength of E312-16?
E312-16 has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is E312-16 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Hard, work-hardening duplex deposit — grind or use rigid setups with sharp carbide, low speed and heavy positive feed; avoid dwelling.
Can E312-16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Weld with low heat input and stringer beads, interpass below ~150 °C, usually no preheat and no PWHT; redry electrodes (‑15 types especially) before use and keep dilution moderate to preserve ferrite and crack resistance.
What surface finishes work on E312-16?
Grind and pickle/passivate to remove slag and heat tint; the ferrite-rich weld is magnetic and etches differently from austenitic base metal, giving a visible colour/contrast line after polishing.
Can E312-16 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form — the deposit is high-strength and low-ductility, so cold straightening or bending of 312 weld metal is not recommended.
What is the maximum service temperature of E312-16?
E312-16 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E312-AW and E312-17?
AW is the default condition — standard supplied/used condition: deposit tested and used in the as-welded state with 30–45 FN ferrite. E312-17: choose for the finest bead appearance and lowest spatter on sheet and cosmetic repair work; slightly more fluid slag than -16. Yield strength is 580 MPa in AW versus 570 MPa in E312-17.
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 (ER312) — American Welding Society (2017)
- GB/T 983 (A302/A307) (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (stainless weld metal) — ASM International (1993)
- 312-type SMAW electrode datasheets (ESAB, Lincoln Electric, Böhler Welding) — various (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.