Stainless Steel ER430-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS S43080
Default condition for decorative and light-duty repairs where PWHT is impractical; expect coarse ferrite plus some martensite, reduced ductility and notch toughness.
Values for the AW condition
Other ER430 tempers and conditions
ER430 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ER430.
- PWHT
- AW
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld heat treated | Choose when maximum ductility, toughness and corrosion resistance of the ferritic weld are needed; anneal tempers HAZ martensite and re-dissolves chromium carbides. | 330 | 480 | 24 | 165 HB | — |
AWDefaultThis page As-welded deposit | Default condition for decorative and light-duty repairs where PWHT is impractical; expect coarse ferrite plus some martensite, reduced ductility and notch toughness. | 400 | 520 | 18 | 200 HB | — |
What is ER430-AW?
ER430-AW is ER430 heat treated to AW — default condition for decorative and light-duty repairs where PWHT is impractical; expect coarse ferrite plus some martensite, reduced ductility and notch toughness. ER430-AW has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). ER430-AW has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 23.9 W/m·K (13.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 42/100, worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
ER430-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER430-AW; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER430 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER430-AW has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
ER430-AW has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
ER430-AW is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 23.9 W/m·K (13.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER430-AW conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER430-AW takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
ER430-AW's machinability is good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER430-AW
Is ER430 easy to machine?
Weld deposits machine like Type 430 bar (~54 % of AISI 1212) — use sharp carbide, positive rake and firm feed to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can ER430 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with 98Ar-2O2 or Ar-He shielding; preheat 150–260 °C on thicker sections, keep interpass below ~370 °C and anneal at 760–815 °C where ductility or corrosion resistance matters; use ER309L/ER308L instead when a tougher austenitic weld is acceptable.
Can ER430 be formed, bent or molded?
Ferritic weld metal has limited cold ductility — avoid tight bends across as-welded beads; form after PWHT or design for straight, unrestrained joints.
What surface finishes work on ER430?
Polishes and passivates to the same appearance as 430 sheet, so it is the standard filler for color-matched decorative welds; can be electroplated or PVD-coated but must be pickled/passivated to remove heat tint.
ER430 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAWS A5.9 max | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Cr | 15.5 – 17 | 16.2 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
ER430-AW — frequently asked
What is ER430-AW used for?
ER430-AW is typically used for appliance trim welding, 430 stainless sheet fabrication, decorative colour-matched welds on 430 panels, kitchen equipment enclosure joints, automotive trim and bright-work welds and oven and furnace liner sheet welding. In short: colour-matched 430 welds; 760 °C oxidation service; lower toughness than austenitic.
What is the yield strength of ER430-AW?
ER430-AW has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ER430-AW easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades). Weld deposits machine like Type 430 bar (~54 % of AISI 1212) — use sharp carbide, positive rake and firm feed to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can ER430-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). GTAW/GMAW with 98Ar-2O2 or Ar-He shielding; preheat 150–260 °C on thicker sections, keep interpass below ~370 °C and anneal at 760–815 °C where ductility or corrosion resistance matters; use ER309L/ER308L instead when a tougher austenitic weld is acceptable.
What surface finishes work on ER430-AW?
Polishes and passivates to the same appearance as 430 sheet, so it is the standard filler for color-matched decorative welds; can be electroplated or PVD-coated but must be pickled/passivated to remove heat tint.
Can ER430-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Ferritic weld metal has limited cold ductility — avoid tight bends across as-welded beads; form after PWHT or design for straight, unrestrained joints.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER430-AW?
ER430-AW is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER430-AW and ER430 PWHT?
AW is the default condition — default condition for decorative and light-duty repairs where PWHT is impractical; expect coarse ferrite plus some martensite, reduced ductility and notch toughness. PWHT: choose when maximum ductility, toughness and corrosion resistance of the ferritic weld are needed; anneal tempers HAZ martensite and re-dissolves chromium carbides. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AW versus 330 MPa in PWHT.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (ferritic stainless steels) — ASM International (1993)
- Stainless filler metal datasheets (ER430 class) — ESAB / Lincoln Electric / Böhler Welding (2023)
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.