Stainless Steel ER317-SA (Solution Annealed weld metal)
Heat-treated state
UNS S31780
Choose when the fabricated assembly is post-weld solution annealed to dissolve carbides and relieve residual stress; strength drops, ductility and corrosion resistance rise.
Values for the SA condition
Other ER317 tempers and conditions
ER317 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at ER317.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAThis page Solution Annealed weld metal | Choose when the fabricated assembly is post-weld solution annealed to dissolve carbides and relieve residual stress; strength drops, ductility and corrosion resistance rise. | 275 | 560 | 48 | 160 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
As Welded | Pick when depositing ER317 by SAW on heavy plate; slightly lower strength and ferrite due to higher heat input and flux interaction. | 375 | 570 | 35 | 170 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition: undiluted deposit from ER317 wire used with argon-based shielding, no post-weld heat treatment. | 400 | 600 | 38 | 180 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
What is ER317-SA?
ER317-SA is ER317 heat treated to SA — choose when the fabricated assembly is post-weld solution annealed to dissolve carbides and relieve residual stress; strength drops, ductility and corrosion resistance rise. ER317-SA has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). ER317-SA has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SA is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 850°C (1,562 °F), better than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
ER317-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER317-SA; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER317 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER317-SA has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
ER317-SA has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER317-SA is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER317-SA 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 ER317-SA takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 66% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability6
ER317-SA's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER317-SA
Is ER317 easy to machine?
Weld deposits machine like 317/316 — slow speeds, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy rigid setup and flood coolant to fight work hardening and gumminess.
Can ER317 be welded?
Run with 98Ar/2%O₂ or Ar-He for GMAW and pure Ar for GTAW; keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input low to preserve 2–8 FN ferrite and avoid carbide precipitation.
Can ER317 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn wire; the deposit itself is highly ductile and cold-formable but work-hardens rapidly, so plan generous bend radii.
What surface finishes work on ER317?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or nitric-HF) or mechanically blend the weld to restore the passive film — leaving heat tint sharply reduces the Mo-based pitting benefit.
ER317 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cnon-L grade; use ER317L for sensitization-critical service | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 18.5 – 20.5 | 19.5 |
| Ni | 13 – 15 | 14 |
| Mokey addition for pitting resistance | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Si | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
ER317-SA — frequently asked
What is ER317-SA used for?
ER317-SA is typically used for pulp and paper digester welds, sulfuric and sulfite process equipment, chemical reactor and tank seams, flue gas desulfurization components, bleach plant piping and vessels and overlay of carbon steel in high-chloride service. In short: higher Mo than 316; sulfite and chloride service; premium-corrosion austenitic filler.
What is the yield strength of ER317-SA?
ER317-SA has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ER317-SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposits machine like 317/316 — slow speeds, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy rigid setup and flood coolant to fight work hardening and gumminess.
Can ER317-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Run with 98Ar/2%O₂ or Ar-He for GMAW and pure Ar for GTAW; keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input low to preserve 2–8 FN ferrite and avoid carbide precipitation.
What surface finishes work on ER317-SA?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or nitric-HF) or mechanically blend the weld to restore the passive film — leaving heat tint sharply reduces the Mo-based pitting benefit.
Can ER317-SA be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn wire; the deposit itself is highly ductile and cold-formable but work-hardens rapidly, so plan generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER317-SA?
ER317-SA is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER317-AW and ER317-SA?
AW is the default condition — default condition: undiluted deposit from ER317 wire used with argon-based shielding, no post-weld heat treatment. SA: choose when the fabricated assembly is post-weld solution annealed to dissolve carbides and relieve residual stress; strength drops, ductility and corrosion resistance rise. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AW versus 275 MPa in SA.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2017)
- ASTM A276 / UNS S31780 designation listing — ASTM / SAE-ASTM Unified Numbering System (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (stainless filler metals) — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Wrought Stainless Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Stainless filler metal datasheets, ER317/ER317L — Lincoln Electric / voestalpine Böhler Welding (2022)
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.