Stainless Steel E385 AW-SA
Heat-treated state
EN E385 · UNS W88904
AW-SA = as-Welded + Solution Annealed
Use when the fabricated component can be furnace-treated: restores full homogeneity, dissolves interdendritic sigma/chi and maximises acid corrosion resistance at the cost of some strength.
Values for the AW-SA condition
What is E385 AW-SA?
E385 AW-SA is E385 heat treated to AW-SA — use when the fabricated component can be furnace-treated: restores full homogeneity, dissolves interdendritic sigma/chi and maximises acid corrosion resistance at the cost of some strength. E385 AW-SA has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi). E385 AW-SA 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).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% 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
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
E385 AW-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for E385 AW-SA; 8 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E385 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E385 AW-SA 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 AW-SA has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
E385 AW-SA 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 AW-SA conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E385 AW-SA 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 AW-SA's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E385 AW-SA
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.
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.
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 |
E385 AW-SA — frequently asked
What is E385 AW-SA used for?
E385 AW-SA 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 AW-SA?
E385 AW-SA has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Is E385 AW-SA 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 AW-SA 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 AW-SA?
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 AW-SA 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 AW-SA?
E385 AW-SA 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.