Stainless Steel E320
EN E320 · UNS W88021
E320 is a filler metal matching Alloy 20 (Carpenter 20, N08020; filler classification W88021) chemistry, a high-alloy austenitic grade for welding equipment that handles hot sulfuric acid and other aggressive chemicals.
Reference datasheet — E320 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 AW-SMAW condition
E320 tempers and conditions
E320 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. AW-SMAW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed after welding | Use when the fabricated component is solution annealed to homogenize the deposit and restore maximum acid resistance in severe sulfuric-acid service. | 300 | 560 | 45 | 150 HB | 1.6 % IACS |
As Welded | Choose for TIG root passes, automated GMAW/SAW and thin-wall acid piping where slag-free, cleaner deposits are needed. | 385 | 600 | 38 | 170 HB | 1.6 % IACS |
AW-SMAWDefault As Welded | Standard stocked form: covered stick electrode for field and shop welding of Alloy 20 vessels and acid piping. | 400 | 610 | 35 | 180 HB | 1.6 % IACS |
What is E320?
E320 is a filler metal matching Alloy 20 (Carpenter 20, N08020; filler classification W88021) chemistry, a high-alloy austenitic grade for welding equipment that handles hot sulfuric acid and other aggressive chemicals. Engineers specify it for matching welds on Alloy 20 vessels, piping and pump components, and it is available as SMAW electrodes and GTAW rod. The deposit provides 400 MPa yield, 610 MPa tensile, 35 % elongation, 180 HB (88 HRB) and a corrosion rating of 80, with service limited to about 500 °C. Fully austenitic solidification makes it hot-crack sensitive (weldability rating 55) in thick multipass joints — use E320LR there. E320 has a density of 8.08 g/cm³ (0.292 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). E320 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is E320 used for?
- sulfuric acid production equipment
- chemical process vessels
- Alloy 20 fabrication
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 80/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.6 % IACS, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 11.8 W/m·K (6.82 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 24/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
E320 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E320-AW-SMAW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E320 has a density of 8.08 g/cm³ (0.292 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
E320 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
E320 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 11.8 W/m·K (6.82 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 14.8 µm/m·K (8.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E320 conducts electricity at 1.6 % IACS, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 88% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E320 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
E320's machinability is poor (24/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (50/100).
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. E320 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E320
Is E320 easy to machine?
Deposits machine like a gummy high-nickel austenitic: slow speeds, heavy positive-rake carbide, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening.
Can E320 be welded?
Weld with low heat input, stringer beads (max ~2× electrode dia. weave), interpass below ~150 °C and DCEP; fully austenitic solidification makes it hot-crack sensitive in thick multipass joints — switch to E320LR there.
Can E320 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; deposit itself is ductile (>30 % elongation) and tolerates weld-joint bending and flaring.
E320 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CE320LR variant limits C to 0.035 max | ≤ 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 19 – 21 | 20 |
| Ni | 32 – 36 | 34 |
| Mo | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Cukey to hot sulfuric acid resistance | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| NbNb+Ta, 8×C minimum (stabilization) | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mn | ≤ 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Febalance, approx. 35 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on E320?
Grind out slag and heat tint completely, then pickle (HNO₃-HF) and passivate per ASTM A380/A967 to restore full acid resistance; no anodizing.
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 E320 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- W88021
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0237
- Also called
- AWS A5.4 E320
- Similar grades
- N08020
How much does E320 cost?
E320 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
E320 — frequently asked
What is E320 used for?
E320 is typically used for sulfuric acid production equipment, chemical process vessels and alloy 20 fabrication. In short: matching Alloy 20 filler; hot sulfuric acid service; hot-crack sensitive in thick joints.
What is the yield strength of E320?
E320 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E320 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (24/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades). Deposits machine like a gummy high-nickel austenitic: slow speeds, heavy positive-rake carbide, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening.
Can E320 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weld with low heat input, stringer beads (max ~2× electrode dia. weave), interpass below ~150 °C and DCEP; fully austenitic solidification makes it hot-crack sensitive in thick multipass joints — switch to E320LR there.
What surface finishes work on E320?
Grind out slag and heat tint completely, then pickle (HNO₃-HF) and passivate per ASTM A380/A967 to restore full acid resistance; no anodizing.
Can E320 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; deposit itself is ductile (>30 % elongation) and tolerates weld-joint bending and flaring.
What is the maximum service temperature of E320?
E320 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E320 AW-SMAW and E320 PWHT-SA?
AW-SMAW is the default condition — standard stocked form: covered stick electrode for field and shop welding of Alloy 20 vessels and acid piping. PWHT-SA: use when the fabricated component is solution annealed to homogenize the deposit and restore maximum acid resistance in severe sulfuric-acid service. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AW-SMAW versus 300 MPa in PWHT-SA.
How much does E320 cost?
E320 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 — Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2012)
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2017)
- ASTM B463 / B473 — UNS N08020 Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip and Bar — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- Alloy 20 (Carpenter 20Cb-3) technical datasheet — Carpenter Technology (2020)
- Stainless and nickel filler metal catalog (E320 / ER320) — ESAB / Lincoln Electric (2022)
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.