Stainless Steel ER308
UNS S30880 · EN 19 9
ER308 (UNS S30880, 19 9) is a bare solid austenitic stainless filler wire and rod for GTAW and GMAW, matched to 304-type base metal and the wire counterpart of the covered E308 SMAW electrode.
Reference datasheet — ER308 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 condition
ER308 tempers and conditions
ER308 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. AW 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weld deposit after post-weld solution anneal | Used when the weldment is fully solution annealed after fabrication to restore ductility, relieve residual stress and desensitize. | 300 | 560 | 48 | 160 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition: properties of the undiluted deposit as laid down by GTAW/GMAW with no post-weld heat treatment. | 400 | 600 | 40 | 185 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick this for the mechanical properties of the wire itself (feedability, coil memory, spool stiffness), not of the deposit. | 700 | 900 | 12 | 30 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ER308 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
ANN-ROD | Annealed | Supply form |
What is ER308?
ER308 (UNS S30880, 19 9) is a bare solid austenitic stainless filler wire and rod for GTAW and GMAW, matched to 304-type base metal and the wire counterpart of the covered E308 SMAW electrode. Engineers use it for general 304 fabrication because the deposit reaches about 400 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 40 % elongation and 185 HB (90 HRB) with service to 760 °C, and it is stocked as spooled wire, straightened cut lengths and SAW coil. The standard carbon level limits resistance to intergranular attack after sensitization, so ER308L is preferred for corrosive wet service and ER308H for 304H creep service. ER308 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). ER308 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is ER308 used for?
- TIG/MIG welding of 304 stainless
- food & dairy equipment
- general austenitic fabrication
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
ER308 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER308-AW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER308 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
ER308 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER308 is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °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 16.9 µm/m·K (9.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER308 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER308 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 62% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability6
ER308's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability good (55/100).
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. ER308 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER308
Is ER308 easy to machine?
Weld metal machines like 304 — low speed, positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant; it work-hardens and smears, so avoid dwelling and never let the tool rub.
Can ER308 be welded?
Run DCEN GTAW or spray/pulsed GMAW with Ar (+2–3 % CO2 or He for GMAW) shielding, keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input modest to preserve 4–10 FN ferrite and avoid hot cracking.
Can ER308 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire or straightened cut lengths; the deposit itself cold-forms and bends well but hardens rapidly, so allow generous bend radii and interstage annealing.
ER308 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CER308L limits C to 0.03 max | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 19.5 – 22 | 20.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| SiER308Si raises Si to 0.65–1.00 for better wetting | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| Curesidual only | ≤ 0.75 | 0.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Febalance; total other elements 0.50 max | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER308?
Pickle and passivate or mechanically blend the weld to remove heat tint; brush/grind with dedicated stainless-only abrasives to avoid iron contamination and rust bleeding.
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 ER308 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30880
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 19 9
How much does ER308 cost?
ER308 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
ER308 — frequently asked
What is ER308 used for?
ER308 is typically used for TIG/MIG welding of 304 stainless, food & dairy equipment and general austenitic fabrication. In short: standard 304 filler wire; 4–10 FN ferrite deposit; wire counterpart to E308.
What is the yield strength of ER308?
ER308 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ER308 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Weld metal machines like 304 — low speed, positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant; it work-hardens and smears, so avoid dwelling and never let the tool rub.
Can ER308 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Run DCEN GTAW or spray/pulsed GMAW with Ar (+2–3 % CO2 or He for GMAW) shielding, keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input modest to preserve 4–10 FN ferrite and avoid hot cracking.
What surface finishes work on ER308?
Pickle and passivate or mechanically blend the weld to remove heat tint; brush/grind with dedicated stainless-only abrasives to avoid iron contamination and rust bleeding.
Can ER308 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire or straightened cut lengths; the deposit itself cold-forms and bends well but hardens rapidly, so allow generous bend radii and interstage annealing.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER308?
ER308 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 ER308-AW and ER308-CD?
AW is the default condition — default condition: properties of the undiluted deposit as laid down by GTAW/GMAW with no post-weld heat treatment. CD: pick this for the mechanical properties of the wire itself (feedability, coil memory, spool stiffness), not of the deposit. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AW versus 700 MPa in CD.
How much does ER308 cost?
ER308 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (2017)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C, SFA-5.9 — ASME (2023)
- EN ISO 14343 — Welding consumables, wire and strip electrodes for stainless steels (19 9) — ISO (2017)
- ER308/308L solid wire and TIG rod datasheets — ESAB / Lincoln Electric / voestalpine Böhler Welding (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering; Vol.1 — Properties of Steels — 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.