Stainless Steel ER308H-SA (Solution annealed deposit)
Heat-treated state
UNS S30880
Used for weld overlay/cladding that is solution annealed with the component to redissolve carbides and restore ductility and corrosion resistance.
Values for the SA condition
Other ER308H tempers and conditions
ER308H is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at ER308H.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAThis page 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 |
What is ER308H-SA?
ER308H-SA is ER308H heat treated to SA — used for weld overlay/cladding that is solution annealed with the component to redissolve carbides and restore ductility and corrosion resistance. ER308H-SA has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). ER308H-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
- Tough — resists crack growth — 220 MPa·√m (200.2 ksi·√in), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 265 MPa (38.4 ksi), worse than 81% of stainless steel grades
ER308H-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER308H-SA; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER308H reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER308H-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).
Mechanical16
ER308H-SA has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER308H-SA 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-SA conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER308H-SA 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-SA's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (68/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER308H-SA
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.
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.
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 | — |
ER308H-SA — frequently asked
What is ER308H-SA used for?
ER308H-SA 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-SA?
ER308H-SA has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ER308H-SA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% 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-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). 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-SA?
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-SA 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-SA?
ER308H-SA 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.