FabDigitFabDigit

Stainless Steel ER385 AW-SAW

Finish state

UNS N08904

AW-SAW = as-welded submerged-arc deposit with basic flux

Pick for heavy-wall vessel seams; slightly lower strength and higher heat input than GTAW, use low-Si basic flux to keep pitting resistance.

High cost $$$$
Request a quote in ER385 AW-SAWER385 overview

Values for the AW-SAW condition

Other ER385 tempers and conditions

ER385 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at ER385.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
SA
Weld/weldment solution annealed 1100–1150 °C, water quenched
Use when the fabricated part is fully solution annealed after welding to dissolve Mo/Cr segregation and restore maximum corrosion resistance and ductility.24054045150 HB1.7 % IACS
AW-SAWThis page
As-welded submerged-arc deposit with basic flux
Pick for heavy-wall vessel seams; slightly lower strength and higher heat input than GTAW, use low-Si basic flux to keep pitting resistance.37058035190 HB1.7 % IACS
AWDefault
As-welded deposit
Standard condition for 904L/20-type joints: use in the as-welded state, no PWHT required.39060038195 HB1.7 % IACS

What is ER385 AW-SAW?

ER385 AW-SAW is ER385 supplied in the AW-SAW condition — pick for heavy-wall vessel seams; slightly lower strength and higher heat input than GTAW, use low-Si basic flux to keep pitting resistance. ER385 AW-SAW has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi). ER385 AW-SAW has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW-SAW is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 11.5 W/m·K (6.64 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
  • High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades

ER385 AW-SAW properties

Typical room-temperature values for ER385 AW-SAW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER385 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

ER385 AW-SAW has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).

Density8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,320°C2,408 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,390°C2,534 °F

Mechanical16

ER385 AW-SAW has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus190 GPa27.6 Msi
Shear Modulus73 GPa10.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)580 MPa84.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)370 MPa53.7 ksi
Elongation at Break35%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength370 MPa53.7 ksi
Shear Strength385 MPa55.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)225 MPa32.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)75 J55.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell190 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B89 HRB
Hardness, Vickers200 HV

Thermal6

ER385 AW-SAW is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 11.5 W/m·K (6.64 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.3 µm/m·K (8.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)15.3 µm/m·K8.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion285 J/g123 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

ER385 AW-SAW conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 84% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.05 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good78/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in sulfuric (all concentrations at moderate temperature), phosphoric and acetic acids; strong pitting/crevice resistance in chlorides (PREN ≈ 35) and good stress-corrosion-cracking resistance; not for hot hydrochloric acid, strong oxidizing halide media or high-temperature sulfidation.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of ER385 AW-SAW takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)5.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content45%

Manufacturability6

ER385 AW-SAW's machinability is poor (27/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityPoor27/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)28%
WeldabilityVery good78/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with ER385 AW-SAW

Is ER385 easy to machine?

Weld metal is tough and gummy with heavy work hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed/high feed and flood coolant; grinding of the deposit is more common than machining.

Can ER385 be welded?

GTAW/GMAW/SAW with 100% Ar (or Ar+He/Ar+2%CO2 for MIG); keep heat input low (<1.5 kJ/mm), interpass <150 °C and stringer beads to avoid hot cracking in this ferrite-free fully austenitic deposit; back-purge with argon.

Can ER385 be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied as cold-drawn wire; high work hardening means intermediate anneals during drawing and careful spool cast/helix control for stable feeding.

What surface finishes work on ER385?

Pickle and passivate (HNO3/HF) or mechanically clean the weld to remove heat tint — residual oxide sharply reduces the pitting resistance that this filler is bought for.

ER385 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Clow carbon for intergranular corrosion resistance≤ 0.030.02
Cr19.5 – 21.520.5
Ni24 – 2625
Mo4.2 – 5.24.7
Cuimproves resistance in sulfuric acid1.2 – 21.5
Mn1 – 2.51.7
Si≤ 0.50.35
P≤ 0.020.02
S≤ 0.030.01
Febalance—

ER385 AW-SAW — frequently asked

What is ER385 AW-SAW used for?

ER385 AW-SAW is typically used for 904L piping and pressure vessel welds, seawater cooling and desalination equipment, sulfuric and phosphoric acid processing equipment, flue-gas scrubber internals, heat exchanger and condenser tube welds and weld overlay on carbon steel in chloride service. In short: 904L matching filler; high chloride pitting resistance; ferrite-free austenitic deposit.

What is the yield strength of ER385 AW-SAW?

ER385 AW-SAW has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is ER385 AW-SAW easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (27/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades). Weld metal is tough and gummy with heavy work hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed/high feed and flood coolant; grinding of the deposit is more common than machining.

Can ER385 AW-SAW be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). GTAW/GMAW/SAW with 100% Ar (or Ar+He/Ar+2%CO2 for MIG); keep heat input low (<1.5 kJ/mm), interpass <150 °C and stringer beads to avoid hot cracking in this ferrite-free fully austenitic deposit; back-purge with argon.

What surface finishes work on ER385 AW-SAW?

Pickle and passivate (HNO3/HF) or mechanically clean the weld to remove heat tint — residual oxide sharply reduces the pitting resistance that this filler is bought for.

Can ER385 AW-SAW be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied as cold-drawn wire; high work hardening means intermediate anneals during drawing and careful spool cast/helix control for stable feeding.

What is the maximum service temperature of ER385 AW-SAW?

ER385 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 ER385-AW and ER385-SA?

AW is the default condition — standard condition for 904L/20-type joints: use in the as-welded state, no PWHT required. SA: use when the fabricated part is fully solution annealed after welding to dissolve Mo/Cr segregation and restore maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. Yield strength is 390 MPa in AW versus 240 MPa in SA.

Sources

  1. AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods (ER385) — American Welding Society (2017)
  2. ASTM A959 / UNS N08904 designation practice — ASTM (2020)
  3. 904L (UNS N08904) alloy datasheet — physical and mechanical data — Outokumpu (2023)
  4. Superaustenitic filler metal ER385 weld-metal properties — Böhler Welding / Avesta-type consumable data (2022)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (austenitic stainless consumables) — 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.