Stainless Steel E385
EN E385 · UNS W88904
E385 is a fully austenitic, high-nickel high-molybdenum covered electrode (W88904, E385-16 to GB/T 983) that matches UNS N08904 (904L) base metal for sulfuric and phosphoric acid service.
Reference datasheet — E385 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.
E385 tempers and conditions
E385 is supplied in one standard condition, AW-SA.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways E385 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
AW-15 | As-Welded, E385-15 | Surface finish |
AW-16Default | As-Welded, E385-16 | Surface finish |
AW-17 | As-Welded, E385-17 | Surface finish |
What is E385?
E385 is a fully austenitic, high-nickel high-molybdenum covered electrode (W88904, E385-16 to GB/T 983) that matches UNS N08904 (904L) base metal for sulfuric and phosphoric acid service. It is used for shop and field fabrication of 904L vessels, piping and tanks, and is available in -15, -16 and -17 coatings with stress-relieved (SA) deposit data on file. Typical all-weld metal is 400 MPa yield, 590 MPa tensile and 38 % elongation, with service to about 400 °C and a corrosion resistance score of 85. The deposit is hot-crack prone and the electrode is costly; E383 is the closest alternative for 4 % Mo super-austenitic base metals. E385 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). E385 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
What is E385 used for?
- Sulfuric acid plants
- Phosphoric acid production
- Seawater and brine equipment
- Chemical tank fabrication
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 85/100, better than 92% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 12 W/m·K (6.93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
E385 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E385 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical14
E385 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
E385 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 12 W/m·K (6.93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.3 µm/m·K (8.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E385 conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 92% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E385 takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
E385's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).
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. E385 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E385
Is E385 easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like 904L — very gummy and work-hardening; use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant.
Can E385 be welded?
Fully austenitic and hot-crack prone: stringer beads, interpass ≤150 °C, low heat input (<1.5 kJ/mm), DCEP (except -16 which also runs on AC), redry electrodes 250–300 °C/1–2 h before use.
Can E385 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product; deposit itself is ductile (>30 % elongation) and tolerates weld-joint straightening, but cold work raises strength quickly.
E385 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 for intergranular corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 19.5 – 21.5 | 20.5 |
| Ni | 24 – 26 | 25 |
| Mo | 4.2 – 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Cukey to sulfuric acid resistance | 1.2 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Si | ≤ 0.9 | 0.5 |
| Pkept low against hot cracking | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Skept low against hot cracking | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E385?
Grind and pickle/passivate all weld and heat-tint zones (nitric-HF paste or citric passivation) to restore the full corrosion resistance; anodizing does not apply.
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 E385 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- W88904
- Also called
- AWS A5.4 E385-XX
How much does E385 cost?
E385 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E385 — frequently asked
What is E385 used for?
E385 is typically used for sulfuric acid plants, phosphoric acid production, seawater and brine equipment and chemical tank fabrication. In short: matches 904L base metal; top acid-resistance filler; requires low heat input.
What is the yield strength of E385?
E385 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades.
Is E385 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like 904L — very gummy and work-hardening; use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant.
Can E385 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Fully austenitic and hot-crack prone: stringer beads, interpass ≤150 °C, low heat input (<1.5 kJ/mm), DCEP (except -16 which also runs on AC), redry electrodes 250–300 °C/1–2 h before use.
What surface finishes work on E385?
Grind and pickle/passivate all weld and heat-tint zones (nitric-HF paste or citric passivation) to restore the full corrosion resistance; anodizing does not apply.
Can E385 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product; deposit itself is ductile (>30 % elongation) and tolerates weld-joint straightening, but cold work raises strength quickly.
What is the maximum service temperature of E385?
E385 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does E385 cost?
E385 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), 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 — Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2012)
- ASTM B625 / UNS N08904 (904L) chemical and mechanical requirements — ASTM International (2020)
- 904L / 2RK65 austenitic stainless steel datasheet — Outokumpu / Alleima (Sandvik Materials Technology) (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (austenitic stainless weld metallurgy) — ASM International (1993)
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.