Steel E309L-16
E309L-16 is a low-carbon, higher-alloy austenitic stainless SMAW electrode with a rutile-type -16 coating, used mainly for joints between carbon or low-alloy steel and stainless steel.
Reference datasheet — E309L-16 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
E309L-16 tempers and conditions
E309L-16 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed deposit | Rarely specified; only for all-stainless fabrications solution annealed after welding, giving a softer, more ductile and fully corrosion-restored deposit. | 300 | 540 | 45 | 170 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard condition for dissimilar-metal joints and cladding transition layers; use as deposited, no heat treatment. | 410 | 580 | 38 | 200 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Post-weld heat treated | Used when the carbon-steel side of a dissimilar joint requires code-mandated stress relief; expect slight strength gain and lower toughness from ferrite transformation. | 420 | 600 | 33 | 205 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
What is E309L-16?
E309L-16 is a low-carbon, higher-alloy austenitic stainless SMAW electrode with a rutile-type -16 coating, used mainly for joints between carbon or low-alloy steel and stainless steel. It is chosen for dilution tolerance in dissimilar welding, for stainless cladding and for buttering before overlay work; as-welded deposit values are 410 MPa yield, 580 MPa tensile, 38 % elongation and 200 HB (92 HRB), with service to about 650 °C. The deposit runs 8–15 FN ferrite, so it is slightly magnetic and polishes darker than 304; where the stainless side is 316, a molybdenum-bearing E309LMo electrode is the usual step up. E309L-16 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). E309L-16 has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is E309L-16 used for?
- dissimilar metal welding
- stainless steel cladding
- overlay repair
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 66/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 650°C (1,202 °F), better than 99% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 38%, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.2 % IACS, worse than 98% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E309L-16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E309L-16-AW; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E309L-16 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
E309L-16 has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
E309L-16 is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E309L-16 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 100% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E309L-16 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability6
E309L-16's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (55/100).
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 steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. E309L-16 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E309L-16
Is E309L-16 easy to machine?
Weld deposit is tough and work-hardening — use sharp carbide, rigid setup, positive rake, generous coolant and avoid dwelling; grinding is often preferred for dressing.
Can E309L-16 be welded?
AC/DC+ SMAW electrode; redry 250–300 °C/1 h, keep interpass below ~150 °C, short arc and stringer beads to hold 8–15 FN ferrite and avoid hot cracking; ideal for buttering carbon steel before joining to 304/316.
Can E309L-16 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a formable product form — deposit only; joint geometry set by groove design, with buffer/buttering layers 3–6 mm thick for cladding transitions.
E309L-16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cextra-low carbon | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 22 – 25 | 23.5 |
| Ni | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Si-16 rutile/lime-titania coating | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.75 | 0.15 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.75 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E309L-16?
Remove slag fully, then wire-brush with stainless brushes, pickle and passivate; expect the deposit to be slightly magnetic and to polish darker than 304 base metal.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on 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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does E309L-16 cost?
E309L-16 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
E309L-16 — frequently asked
What is E309L-16 used for?
E309L-16 is typically used for dissimilar metal welding, stainless steel cladding and overlay repair. In short: standard dissimilar-joint stick electrode; dilution-tolerant 8–15 FN deposit; higher service temperature than 308L.
What is the yield strength of E309L-16?
E309L-16 has a typical yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E309L-16 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades). Weld deposit is tough and work-hardening — use sharp carbide, rigid setup, positive rake, generous coolant and avoid dwelling; grinding is often preferred for dressing.
Can E309L-16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). AC/DC+ SMAW electrode; redry 250–300 °C/1 h, keep interpass below ~150 °C, short arc and stringer beads to hold 8–15 FN ferrite and avoid hot cracking; ideal for buttering carbon steel before joining to 304/316.
What surface finishes work on E309L-16?
Remove slag fully, then wire-brush with stainless brushes, pickle and passivate; expect the deposit to be slightly magnetic and to polish darker than 304 base metal.
Can E309L-16 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a formable product form — deposit only; joint geometry set by groove design, with buffer/buttering layers 3–6 mm thick for cladding transitions.
What is the maximum service temperature of E309L-16?
E309L-16 is rated for continuous use to about 650°C (1,202 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E309L-16-AW and E309L-16-SA?
AW is the default condition — standard condition for dissimilar-metal joints and cladding transition layers; use as deposited, no heat treatment. SA: rarely specified; only for all-stainless fabrications solution annealed after welding, giving a softer, more ductile and fully corrosion-restored deposit. Yield strength is 410 MPa in AW versus 300 MPa in SA.
How much does E309L-16 cost?
E309L-16 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 A5.4/A5.4M — Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for SMAW — AWS (2012)
- GB/T 983 — (A062) — SAC (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Stainless SMAW electrode all-weld-metal datasheets (E309L-16) — Böhler Welding / ESAB / (2023)
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.