Stainless Steel ER316
UNS S31680 · EN 19 12 3
ER316 is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic bare welding wire (UNS S31680, 19 12 3) that matches 316-type stainless steel and raises pitting and crevice corrosion resistance over 308-type fillers.
Reference datasheet — ER316 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
ER316 tempers and conditions
ER316 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weld metal solution annealed 1040–1100 °C, water quenched | Pick when the fabrication is post-weld solution annealed for maximum corrosion resistance and ductility; strength drops toward base-metal annealed levels. | 260 | 540 | 48 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
As welded, submerged-arc deposit with basic flux | Pick for heavy-section, high-productivity longitudinal/circumferential seams; properties depend strongly on flux choice. | 400 | 570 | 34 | 185 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
As welded, TIG deposit | Pick for thin sections, root passes and cleanest, lowest-oxygen deposits with best toughness. | 410 | 585 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default reference condition: undiluted all-weld-metal properties as deposited, no PWHT. | 420 | 590 | 38 | 185 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
As welded, MIG deposit | Pick for higher-deposition spray/pulse welding of plate; slightly higher strength and lower toughness than TIG. | 430 | 600 | 35 | 190 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold drawn | The consumable itself as sold: bright cold-drawn, cleaned wire — strength here describes the wire, not the joint. | 650 | 850 | 20 | 23 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is ER316?
ER316 is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic bare welding wire (UNS S31680, 19 12 3) that matches 316-type stainless steel and raises pitting and crevice corrosion resistance over 308-type fillers. It is the standard consumable for chemical process equipment, marine hardware and 316 piping, supplied as spooled MIG wire, TIG rod and SAW wire. As-welded deposits give about 420 MPa yield, 590 MPa tensile, 38% elongation and 185 HB (89 HRB), with service to 760 °C and a corrosion rating of 70. For multipass work on thick section or service above 425 °C, the low-carbon ER316L is the usual substitute. ER316 has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). ER316 has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is ER316 used for?
- chemical process equipment
- marine fittings
- 316 stainless piping
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
ER316 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER316-AW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER316 has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
ER316 has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
ER316 is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 16.3 W/m·K (9.42 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER316 conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 68% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER316 takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
ER316's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); 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. ER316 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER316
Is ER316 easy to machine?
Weld metal machines like 316 (≈36 % of AISI 1212): sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy rigid setups, flood coolant, avoid dwell to prevent work hardening.
Can ER316 be welded?
Designed as the consumable — DCEN TIG or spray/pulse MIG with Ar (+1–2 % O₂ or ≤2.5 % CO₂), interpass ≤150 °C, keep heat input low and avoid excess CO₂ to limit carbon pickup; no preheat or PWHT needed.
Can ER316 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied cold-drawn; the deposited joint cold forms like 316 with high work hardening and generous bend radii — post-weld cold work should be followed by pickling.
ER316 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.08 max; use ER316L for ≤0.03 | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Ni | 11 – 14 | 12 |
| Mopitting/crevice resistance | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Siwetting/arc stability | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER316?
Pickle/passivate (nitric-HF paste) or electropolish to restore the chromium oxide film; brush only with dedicated stainless wire brushes to avoid iron contamination; no anodizing.
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 ER316 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S31680
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 19 12 3
How much does ER316 cost?
ER316 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.
ER316 — frequently asked
What is ER316 used for?
ER316 is typically used for chemical process equipment, marine fittings and 316 stainless piping. In short: molybdenum-bearing austenitic filler; standard 316 matching wire; better pitting resistance than 308.
What is the yield strength of ER316?
ER316 has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is ER316 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Weld metal machines like 316 (≈36 % of AISI 1212): sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy rigid setups, flood coolant, avoid dwell to prevent work hardening.
Can ER316 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Designed as the consumable — DCEN TIG or spray/pulse MIG with Ar (+1–2 % O₂ or ≤2.5 % CO₂), interpass ≤150 °C, keep heat input low and avoid excess CO₂ to limit carbon pickup; no preheat or PWHT needed.
What surface finishes work on ER316?
Pickle/passivate (nitric-HF paste) or electropolish to restore the chromium oxide film; brush only with dedicated stainless wire brushes to avoid iron contamination; no anodizing.
Can ER316 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied cold-drawn; the deposited joint cold forms like 316 with high work hardening and generous bend radii — post-weld cold work should be followed by pickling.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER316?
ER316 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 ER316-AW and ER316-CD?
AW is the default condition — default reference condition: undiluted all-weld-metal properties as deposited, no PWHT. CD: the consumable itself as sold: bright cold-drawn, cleaned wire — strength here describes the wire, not the joint. Yield strength is 420 MPa in AW versus 650 MPa in CD.
How much does ER316 cost?
ER316 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)
- GB/T 29713 (H03Cr19Ni12Mo2) — SAC (2017)
- EN ISO 14343 — Welding consumables, wire and strip for stainless steels (19 12 3) — ISO (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6: Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- Stainless filler wire all-weld-metal data (Böhler/voestalpine, Sandvik, Lincoln Electric) — various (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.