Stainless Steel ER308H-SR (Stress relieved)
Heat-treated state
UNS S30880
Use when the weldment sees PWHT or long service at 550–750 °C; strength drops slightly and toughness falls as carbides and sigma form.
Values for the SR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
SRThis page 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-SR?
ER308H-SR is ER308H heat treated to SR — use when the weldment sees PWHT or long service at 550–750 °C; strength drops slightly and toughness falls as carbides and sigma form. ER308H-SR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). ER308H-SR 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; SR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 48/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
ER308H-SR properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER308H-SR; 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-SR 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-SR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
ER308H-SR is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 16.5 W/m·K (9.53 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER308H-SR conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (48/100), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER308H-SR 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-SR's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER308H-SR
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-SR — frequently asked
What is ER308H-SR used for?
ER308H-SR 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-SR?
ER308H-SR has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ER308H-SR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 57% 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-SR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). 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-SR?
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-SR 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-SR?
ER308H-SR 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.