Stainless Steel ER308H
UNS S30880
ER308H (UNS S30880) is a higher-carbon version of ER308 bare austenitic filler wire, with the added carbon raising creep strength for elevated-temperature service.
Reference datasheet — ER308H 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
ER308H tempers and conditions
ER308H 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed deposit | Used for weld overlay/cladding that is solution annealed with the component to redissolve carbides and restore ductility and corrosion resistance. | 265 | 550 | 48 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Use when the weldment sees PWHT or long service at 550–750 °C; strength drops slightly and toughness falls as carbides and sigma form. | 380 | 565 | 32 | 180 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition for design: undiluted all-weld-metal properties with 3–10 FN delta ferrite, as deposited by GTAW/GMAW/SAW. | 415 | 590 | 38 | 175 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ER308H is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
WIRE-CD | Wire as supplied | Supply form |
What is ER308H?
ER308H (UNS S30880) is a higher-carbon version of ER308 bare austenitic filler wire, with the added carbon raising creep strength for elevated-temperature service. It is used to weld 304H/S30409 piping and pressure parts, giving deposits of about 415 MPa yield, 590 MPa tensile, 38 % elongation and 175 HB (87 HRB) with service to 800 °C, and is supplied as cold-drawn spooled wire and cut lengths for GTAW, GMAW and SAW. The higher carbon reduces resistance to intergranular corrosion after sensitization, so ER308L or ER308LSi should be used for wet corrosive service instead. ER308H 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). ER308H has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 62% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is ER308H used for?
- High-temperature 304H piping welds
- Power plant superheater and header components
- Refinery and petrochemical furnace piping
- Elevated-temperature pressure vessel welds
- Steam service weldments
- Repair welding of 304H castings and forgings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
ER308H properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER308H-AW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER308H 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
ER308H has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 62% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ER308H is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER308H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER308H takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
ER308H's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); 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. ER308H is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER308H
Is ER308H easy to machine?
Deposit machines like 304H — gummy and work-hardening; use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy feed and flood coolant.
Can ER308H be welded?
Designed as a consumable for GTAW/GMAW/SAW on 304H/S30409; keep interpass temperature moderate, control ferrite to 3–10 FN and use low-heat-input passes to limit carbide precipitation.
Can ER308H be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn wire; the deposit itself is highly ductile but strongly work-hardening, so cold straightening/bending of weldments needs generous radii.
ER308H 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Craised carbon for creep strength | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Cr | 19.5 – 22 | 20.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Si | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.75 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.75 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER308H?
Grind, pickle and passivate weld beads to remove heat tint and restore the passive film; electropolishing gives the best appearance — do not anodize.
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 ER308H in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30880
How much does ER308H cost?
ER308H 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.
ER308H — frequently asked
What is ER308H used for?
ER308H is typically used for high-temperature 304H piping welds, power plant superheater and header components, refinery and petrochemical furnace piping, elevated-temperature pressure vessel welds, steam service weldments and repair welding of 304H castings and forgings. In short: creep-strength 308 filler; 800 °C service deposit; for 304H, not 304L.
What is the yield strength of ER308H?
ER308H has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 62% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ER308H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Deposit machines like 304H — gummy and work-hardening; use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy feed and flood coolant.
Can ER308H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Designed as a consumable for GTAW/GMAW/SAW on 304H/S30409; keep interpass temperature moderate, control ferrite to 3–10 FN and use low-heat-input passes to limit carbide precipitation.
What surface finishes work on ER308H?
Grind, pickle and passivate weld beads to remove heat tint and restore the passive film; electropolishing gives the best appearance — do not anodize.
Can ER308H be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn wire; the deposit itself is highly ductile but strongly work-hardening, so cold straightening/bending of weldments needs generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER308H?
ER308H is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER308H-AW and ER308H-SA?
AW is the default condition — default condition for design: undiluted all-weld-metal properties with 3–10 FN delta ferrite, as deposited by GTAW/GMAW/SAW. SA: used for weld overlay/cladding that is solution annealed with the component to redissolve carbides and restore ductility and corrosion resistance. Yield strength is 415 MPa in AW versus 265 MPa in SA.
How much does ER308H cost?
ER308H 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 & Vol.13B — properties and corrosion of stainless steels — ASM International (2005)
- ER308H / OK Autrod 308H-class filler metal datasheets — ESAB / Lincoln Electric / Böhler Welding (2023)
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.