Stainless Steel ER316LSi AW-SAW
Finish state
UNS S31683 · EN 19 12 3 L Si
AW-SAW = as Welded
For submerged-arc or high heat-input strip/multipass work; slower cooling gives slightly lower strength and toughness and coarser ferrite.
Values for the AW-SAW condition
Other ER316LSi tempers and conditions
ER316LSi is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ER316LSi.
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 |
AW-SAWThis page 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 | — |
What is ER316LSi AW-SAW?
ER316LSi AW-SAW is ER316LSi supplied in the AW-SAW condition — for submerged-arc or high heat-input strip/multipass work; slower cooling gives slightly lower strength and toughness and coarser ferrite. ER316LSi AW-SAW has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 53% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). ER316LSi AW-SAW 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). AW-GMAW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW-SAW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 94/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 73/100, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 75% 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 AW-SAW properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER316LSi AW-SAW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER316LSi reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER316LSi AW-SAW 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 AW-SAW has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 53% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER316LSi AW-SAW 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 AW-SAW conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (73/100), better than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER316LSi AW-SAW 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 AW-SAW's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (94/100); formability good (68/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER316LSi AW-SAW
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.
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.
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 | — |
ER316LSi AW-SAW — frequently asked
What is ER316LSi AW-SAW used for?
ER316LSi AW-SAW 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 AW-SAW?
ER316LSi AW-SAW has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 53% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ER316LSi AW-SAW 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 AW-SAW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (94/100). 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 AW-SAW?
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 AW-SAW 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 AW-SAW?
ER316LSi AW-SAW 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.