Stainless Steel ER308Cu-SA
Heat-treated state
SA = deposit solution annealed 1040–1100 °C, water quenched
For weld overlays or components solution-annealed after welding; dissolves carbides, lowers strength and ferrite, raises ductility.
Values for the SA condition
Other ER308Cu tempers and conditions
ER308Cu is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ER308Cu.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAThis page Deposit solution annealed 1040–1100 °C, water quenched | For weld overlays or components solution-annealed after welding; dissolves carbides, lowers strength and ferrite, raises ductility. | 260 | 540 | 50 | 145 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
As-welded, TIG deposit | Pick for thin-section, root-pass or cosmetic welds; cleanest, lowest-oxygen deposit with the best toughness. | 370 | 585 | 43 | 155 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition: undiluted deposit properties used for WPS/PQR strength checks. | 380 | 590 | 40 | 160 HB | — |
As-welded, MIG spray-transfer deposit | Highest-deposition condition; the Cu addition mainly benefits arc stability and bead wetting here. | 385 | 595 | 38 | 165 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
What is ER308Cu-SA?
ER308Cu-SA is ER308Cu heat treated to SA — for weld overlays or components solution-annealed after welding; dissolves carbides, lowers strength and ferrite, raises ductility. ER308Cu-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 50% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). ER308Cu-SA 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). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SA is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 815°C (1,499 °F), better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
ER308Cu-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER308Cu-SA; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER308Cu reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER308Cu-SA 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).
Mechanical14
ER308Cu-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 50% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER308Cu-SA is rated for continuous service to 815°C (1,499 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER308Cu-SA conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 63% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER308Cu-SA takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
ER308Cu-SA's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER308Cu-SA
Is ER308Cu easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like Type 304 — work-hardens rapidly, so use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; expect ~45 % of AISI 1212.
Can ER308Cu be welded?
This IS the filler: run GMAW with Ar+1–2 % O₂ or Ar+2 % CO₂ (avoid high-CO₂ mixes to limit carbon pickup), GTAW with pure Ar and Ar backing; keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input moderate to hold 5–12 FN and prevent hot cracking.
Can ER308Cu be formed, bent or molded?
Deposit is fully austenitic-plus-ferrite and bends readily; the drawn wire itself is heavily cold-worked and should be kept on a proper cast/helix to avoid feeding problems.
What surface finishes work on ER308Cu?
Pickle and passivate (nitric-HF paste or bath) or mechanically blend to remove heat tint; Cu enrichment can leave a slight coppery bead tint that pickling removes — do not use carbon-steel brushes.
ER308Cu 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CER308 base level; not a low-carbon (L) grade | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 19.5 – 22 | 20.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Cudeliberate addition — the defining feature vs ER308 (which caps Cu at 0.75) | 0.75 – 1.75 | 1.2 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Sisome suppliers offer a Si-raised 308SiCu version at 0.65–1.00 | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.75 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
ER308Cu-SA — frequently asked
What is ER308Cu-SA used for?
ER308Cu-SA is typically used for cosmetic-grade stainless GMAW welding, 304/304L sheet and tube fabrication, architectural stainless railings and trim, food and beverage equipment weldments, tank and vessel seam welding and decorative stainless panel joints. In short: better wetting than ER308; cosmetic bead appearance; general 304-family filler.
What is the yield strength of ER308Cu-SA?
ER308Cu-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. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ER308Cu-SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like Type 304 — work-hardens rapidly, so use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; expect ~45 % of AISI 1212.
Can ER308Cu-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). This IS the filler: run GMAW with Ar+1–2 % O₂ or Ar+2 % CO₂ (avoid high-CO₂ mixes to limit carbon pickup), GTAW with pure Ar and Ar backing; keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input moderate to hold 5–12 FN and prevent hot cracking.
What surface finishes work on ER308Cu-SA?
Pickle and passivate (nitric-HF paste or bath) or mechanically blend to remove heat tint; Cu enrichment can leave a slight coppery bead tint that pickling removes — do not use carbon-steel brushes.
Can ER308Cu-SA be formed, bent or molded?
Deposit is fully austenitic-plus-ferrite and bends readily; the drawn wire itself is heavily cold-worked and should be kept on a proper cast/helix to avoid feeding problems.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER308Cu-SA?
ER308Cu-SA is rated for continuous use to about 815°C (1,499 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER308Cu-AW and ER308Cu-SA?
AW is the default condition — default condition: undiluted deposit properties used for WPS/PQR strength checks. SA: for weld overlays or components solution-annealed after welding; dissolves carbides, lowers strength and ferrite, raises ductility. Yield strength is 380 MPa in AW versus 260 MPa in SA.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2017)
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Stainless solid wire all-weld-metal datasheets (ER308/ER308Si class) — Kobelco / ESAB / (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.