Stainless Steel ER316LSi
UNS S31683 · EN 19 12 3 L Si
ER316LSi is a low-carbon, high-silicon 19Cr-12Ni-3Mo austenitic wire (UNS S31683, 19 12 3 L Si) developed for GMAW, where the silicon improves arc stability and bead wetting.
Reference datasheet — ER316LSi 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-GMAW condition
ER316LSi tempers and conditions
ER316LSi is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. AW-GMAW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution Annealed weld metal | Choose for cladding/vessels that receive a full solution anneal — softer, more ductile, lower ferrite and near non-magnetic deposit. | 320 | 540 | 48 | 160 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
As Welded | For submerged-arc or high heat-input strip/multipass work; slower cooling gives slightly lower strength and toughness and coarser ferrite. | 385 | 550 | 38 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
As Welded | Pick when 316LSi is supplied as 1000 mm TIG cut lengths; slightly cleaner, more ductile deposit with somewhat higher toughness. | 400 | 565 | 42 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AW-GMAWDefault As Welded | Standard as-welded deposit from spooled 0.8–1.2 mm wire under Ar+2%CO₂ or Ar+2%O₂ — the condition almost all 316LSi is used in. | 420 | 580 | 40 | 190 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ER316LSi 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 ER316LSi?
ER316LSi is a low-carbon, high-silicon 19Cr-12Ni-3Mo austenitic wire (UNS S31683, 19 12 3 L Si) developed for GMAW, where the silicon improves arc stability and bead wetting. It is widely used in European MIG practice for robotic and automated welding of 316L and for sanitary process piping, supplied mainly as spooled wire. As-welded deposits give about 420 MPa yield, 580 MPa tensile, 40% elongation and 190 HB (90 HRB), with a corrosion rating of 76 and a listed maximum service temperature of 400 °C. Where silicon-rich beads are undesirable, for example before electropolishing to a matched finish, use plain ER316L. ER316LSi has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). ER316LSi has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is ER316LSi used for?
- Robotic and automated MIG welding of 316L
- Sanitary and hygienic process piping
- Chemical process tanks and vessels
- Heat exchanger and jacket welds
- Marine and coastal structural stainless work
- Pharmaceutical and brewery skid fabrication
- Thin-gauge 316L sheet metal assemblies
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
ER316LSi properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER316LSi-AW-GMAW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER316LSi has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical16
ER316LSi has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER316LSi is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER316LSi conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), better than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER316LSi takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
ER316LSi's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. ER316LSi is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER316LSi
Is ER316LSi easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like 316L — gummy, work-hardening; use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy feed and flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can ER316LSi be welded?
Run DCEP short-arc/spray with Ar+2 % CO₂ (or Ar+2 % O₂); keep interpass below ~150 °C, heat input moderate, and maintain 4–10 FN ferrite to avoid hot cracking.
Can ER316LSi be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; deposits are highly ductile and can be dressed, ground or peened, and cold-formed joints tolerate bending without cracking.
ER316LSi 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon for intergranular corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Ni | 11 – 14 | 12.5 |
| Mo | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Sithe 'Si' addition — improves wetting and arc stability | 0.65 – 1 | 0.85 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER316LSi?
Pickle/passivate (ASTM A380/A967) or bead-blast to remove heat tint; electropolishing gives best corrosion performance, but Si-rich weld beads can etch slightly differently from base metal.
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 ER316LSi in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S31683
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 19 12 3 L Si
How much does ER316LSi cost?
ER316LSi 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.
ER316LSi — frequently asked
What is ER316LSi used for?
ER316LSi is typically used for robotic and automated MIG welding of 316L, sanitary and hygienic process piping, chemical process tanks and vessels, heat exchanger and jacket welds, marine and coastal structural stainless work and pharmaceutical and brewery skid fabrication. In short: best-wetting 316L wire; built for robotic GMAW; low carbon, Mo-bearing deposit.
What is the yield strength of ER316LSi?
ER316LSi has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ER316LSi easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like 316L — gummy, work-hardening; use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy feed and flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can ER316LSi be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Run DCEP short-arc/spray with Ar+2 % CO₂ (or Ar+2 % O₂); keep interpass below ~150 °C, heat input moderate, and maintain 4–10 FN ferrite to avoid hot cracking.
What surface finishes work on ER316LSi?
Pickle/passivate (ASTM A380/A967) or bead-blast to remove heat tint; electropolishing gives best corrosion performance, but Si-rich weld beads can etch slightly differently from base metal.
Can ER316LSi be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; deposits are highly ductile and can be dressed, ground or peened, and cold-formed joints tolerate bending without cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER316LSi?
ER316LSi is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER316LSi AW-GMAW and ER316LSi-SA?
AW-GMAW is the default condition — standard as-welded deposit from spooled 0.8–1.2 mm wire under Ar+2%CO₂ or Ar+2%O₂ — the condition almost all 316LSi is used in. SA: choose for cladding/vessels that receive a full solution anneal — softer, more ductile, lower ferrite and near non-magnetic deposit. Yield strength is 420 MPa in AW-GMAW versus 320 MPa in SA.
How much does ER316LSi cost?
ER316LSi 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)
- EN ISO 14343 — Welding consumables, wire and rod electrodes for stainless steels (G 19 12 3 L Si) — ISO (2017)
- 316LSi solid MIG/TIG wire all-weld-metal data — voestalpine Böhler Welding / Lincoln Electric / ESAB (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steels (316L) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding of Stainless Steels — ASM International (1993)
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.