Stainless Steel ER383
UNS N08028
ER383 is a superaustenitic Alloy 28-type bare welding wire (UNS N08028) with high nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper for service in strong acids.
Reference datasheet — ER383 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
ER383 tempers and conditions
ER383 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deposit solution annealed | Pick when the fabrication is solution annealed after welding to dissolve segregation and restore maximum acid-corrosion resistance. | 260 | 570 | 45 | 160 HB | 1.7 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition: deposit used as welded, no post-weld heat treatment, for acid-service superaustenitic joints. | 390 | 600 | 38 | 185 HB | 1.7 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ER383 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-SA | Wire | Supply form |
SAW | Submerged-arc deposit with matching basic flux | Surface finish |
What is ER383?
ER383 is a superaustenitic Alloy 28-type bare welding wire (UNS N08028) with high nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper for service in strong acids. It is used to weld and overlay highly corrosion-resistant stainless in sulfuric and phosphoric acid duty, and is supplied as drawn wire for GTAW, GMAW and SAW. As-welded deposits give about 390 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 38% elongation and 185 HB, with a corrosion resistance score of 83 and service to 550 °C. Solidification is fully austenitic, so the deposit is hot-crack sensitive and demands low heat input; ER385 (904L type) is the nearest lower-cost alternative for chloride rather than acid service. ER383 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F). ER383 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is ER383 used for?
- Sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant piping and vessels
- Flue-gas desulfurization scrubbers and ducting
- Acid pickling line tanks and internals
- Alloy 28 heat exchanger tube-to-tubesheet welds
- Corrosion-resistant weld overlay on carbon steel vessels
- Pumps and valve bodies in acid service
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 83/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 12 W/m·K (6.93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
ER383 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER383-AW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER383 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical15
ER383 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER383 is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 12 W/m·K (6.93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 14.5 µm/m·K (8.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER383 conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (83/100), better than 91% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER383 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
ER383's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (50/100).
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. ER383 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER383
Is ER383 easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like a high-Ni austenitic: low speed, heavy positive-rake carbide, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can ER383 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SAW with 100 % Ar or Ar-He shielding, low heat input (<1.5 kJ/mm), interpass below 100–150 °C, back purge required; fully austenitic solidification makes it hot-crack sensitive, so keep S/P low and avoid concave beads.
Can ER383 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire; deposits cold-form well with high work hardening — allow generous bend radii and expect high springback.
ER383 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 | 26.5 – 28.5 | 27.5 |
| Ni | 30 – 33 | 31 |
| Mo | 3.2 – 4.2 | 3.6 |
| Cusulphuric-acid resistance | 0.6 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Pkept low against hot cracking | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Skept low against hot cracking | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Febalance, typically ~33–36 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER383?
Pickle and passivate (HNO₃-HF) or bead-blast plus passivation after welding to remove heat tint; no anodizing, electropolishing gives the best acid-service surface.
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 ER383 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- N08028
How much does ER383 cost?
ER383 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
ER383 — frequently asked
What is ER383 used for?
ER383 is typically used for sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant piping and vessels, flue-gas desulfurization scrubbers and ducting, acid pickling line tanks and internals, alloy 28 heat exchanger tube-to-tubesheet welds, corrosion-resistant weld overlay on carbon steel vessels and pumps and valve bodies in acid service. In short: acid-service superaustenitic filler; highest corrosion score in family; alloy 28 chemistry match.
What is the yield strength of ER383?
ER383 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ER383 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposit machines like a high-Ni austenitic: low speed, heavy positive-rake carbide, rigid setup and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can ER383 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/GMAW/SAW with 100 % Ar or Ar-He shielding, low heat input (<1.5 kJ/mm), interpass below 100–150 °C, back purge required; fully austenitic solidification makes it hot-crack sensitive, so keep S/P low and avoid concave beads.
What surface finishes work on ER383?
Pickle and passivate (HNO₃-HF) or bead-blast plus passivation after welding to remove heat tint; no anodizing, electropolishing gives the best acid-service surface.
Can ER383 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire; deposits cold-form well with high work hardening — allow generous bend radii and expect high springback.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER383?
ER383 is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER383-AW and ER383-SA?
AW is the default condition — default condition: deposit used as welded, no post-weld heat treatment, for acid-service superaustenitic joints. SA: pick when the fabrication is solution annealed after welding to dissolve segregation and restore maximum acid-corrosion resistance. Yield strength is 390 MPa in AW versus 260 MPa in SA.
How much does ER383 cost?
ER383 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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)
- ASTM A959 / UNS N08028 designation data — ASTM (2020)
- Sanicro 28 (UNS N08028) alloy datasheet — Alleima (Sandvik Materials Technology) (2023)
- Superaustenitic filler metal data sheets (ER383/ER385) — voestalpine Böhler Welding / Lincoln Electric (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — 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.