Stainless Steel ER16-8-2-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS S16880, S16800
Standard qualification condition for GTAW/GMAW deposits in steam-piping joints; use when no PWHT is applied.
Values for the AW condition
Other ER16-8-2 tempers and conditions
ER16-8-2 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ER16-8-2.
- PWHT
- AW
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld heat treated | Pick when the joint is stabilized/solution treated with the base pipe; slightly lower strength, higher ductility. | 340 | 550 | 42 | 163 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AWDefaultThis page As-welded deposit | Standard qualification condition for GTAW/GMAW deposits in steam-piping joints; use when no PWHT is applied. | 400 | 585 | 38 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
What is ER16-8-2-AW?
ER16-8-2-AW is ER16-8-2 heat treated to AW — standard qualification condition for GTAW/GMAW deposits in steam-piping joints; use when no PWHT is applied. ER16-8-2-AW has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). ER16-8-2-AW 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).
ER16-8-2-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER16-8-2-AW; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER16-8-2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER16-8-2-AW 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
ER16-8-2-AW has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ER16-8-2-AW is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °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 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER16-8-2-AW conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER16-8-2-AW takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
ER16-8-2-AW's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (65/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER16-8-2-AW
Is ER16-8-2 easy to machine?
Weld metal machines like 316L — low speed, positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can ER16-8-2 be welded?
Designed as the filler itself: GTAW/GMAW/SAW on 316H, 321H, 347H austenitic steam piping; keep interpass temperature low, limit heat input and use clean, low-S/P practice because the near-zero-ferrite deposit is hot-crack sensitive.
Can ER16-8-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn wire; deposits cold-form like austenitic stainless with high work hardening and springback.
What surface finishes work on ER16-8-2?
Pickle and passivate or lightly grind/electropolish the bead; do not anodize — no plating usually needed for steam service.
ER16-8-2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Cr | 14.5 – 16.5 | 15.5 |
| Ni | 7.5 – 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Mo | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2 | 1.6 |
| Si | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.15 |
| Febalance, approx. 71–74 % | balance | — |
ER16-8-2-AW — frequently asked
What is ER16-8-2-AW used for?
ER16-8-2-AW is typically used for high-temperature steam piping welds, power generation austenitic pipe joints, 316H, 321H and 347H header and superheater welds, boiler and steam turbine piping repair, high-temperature valve and flange joints and root and fill passes in thick austenitic piping. In short: creep-strength austenitic filler; high-temperature steam piping wire; hot-crack sensitive deposit.
What is the yield strength of ER16-8-2-AW?
ER16-8-2-AW has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ER16-8-2-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Weld metal machines like 316L — low speed, positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can ER16-8-2-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Designed as the filler itself: GTAW/GMAW/SAW on 316H, 321H, 347H austenitic steam piping; keep interpass temperature low, limit heat input and use clean, low-S/P practice because the near-zero-ferrite deposit is hot-crack sensitive.
What surface finishes work on ER16-8-2-AW?
Pickle and passivate or lightly grind/electropolish the bead; do not anodize — no plating usually needed for steam service.
Can ER16-8-2-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn wire; deposits cold-form like austenitic stainless with high work hardening and springback.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER16-8-2-AW?
ER16-8-2-AW is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER16-8-2-AW and ER16-8-2 PWHT?
AW is the default condition — standard qualification condition for GTAW/GMAW deposits in steam-piping joints; use when no PWHT is applied. PWHT: pick when the joint is stabilized/solution treated with the base pipe; slightly lower strength, higher ductility. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AW versus 340 MPa in PWHT.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (2017)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C / ASME B31.1 Power Piping — ASME (2023)
- 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)
- 16-8-2 stainless filler wire datasheets (Sandvik/Alleima 16.8.2, Böhler, Metrode) — 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.