Steel ER316L
UNS S31683 · ASTM A5.9 · JIS YS316L, Y316L · GB H03Cr19Ni12Mo2, H316L · ISO 19 12 3 L, G 19 12 3 L
ER316L is a low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless filler metal of the AWS A5.9 family (S31683), used for welding 316 and 316L and matching base metals.
Reference datasheet — ER316L 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
ER316L tempers and conditions
ER316L is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weld metal solution annealed 1040–1100 °C, water quenched | Use when the whole fabrication is solution annealed (e.g. hygienic vessels, forged-and-welded parts): softer, fully austenitic, maximum corrosion resistance. | 260 | 520 | 50 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
As-welded, submerged-arc deposit with basic flux | Choose for thick-section, long, high-productivity seams; properties depend strongly on flux and heat input. | 400 | 550 | 35 | 175 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
As-welded, MIG deposit | Spool-fed high-deposition welding of plate and tanks; slightly lower toughness than TIG from oxygen pickup. | 415 | 565 | 38 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default reporting condition: undiluted as-deposited weld metal with 3–10 FN ferrite, no PWHT. | 420 | 570 | 40 | 9 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
As-welded, TIG deposit | Pick for cleanest, highest-toughness deposits — root passes, tubing, cryogenic and high-purity service. | 435 | 580 | 42 | 170 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ER316L 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-CD | Cold-drawn wire/rod as supplied | Supply form |
What is ER316L?
ER316L is a low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless filler metal of the AWS A5.9 family (S31683), used for welding 316 and 316L and matching base metals. Engineers specify it for improved pitting and crevice resistance in chloride service; it is supplied as GTAW cut lengths, GMAW spooled wire and SAW wire, with as-welded properties around 420 MPa yield, 570 MPa tensile, 40 % elongation and 175 HB (88 HRB). Service is limited to about 550 °C, and the low-ferrite austenitic deposit needs low heat input to avoid hot cracking; where molybdenum is not required, ER308L is the cheaper match. ER316L has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). ER316L has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is ER316L used for?
- chemical processing equipment
- marine fabrication
- pharmaceutical vessels
- pulp and paper equipment
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 99% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 95% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% 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 — 2.3 % IACS, worse than 98% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
ER316L properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER316L-AW; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
ER316L has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical17
ER316L has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ER316L is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °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
ER316L conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, worse than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 100% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER316L takes about 72 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
ER316L's machinability is fair (36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (68/100).
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. ER316L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER316L
Is ER316L easy to machine?
Weld deposits machine like 316L — slow speeds, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy rigid setups and flood coolant to fight work hardening and gumminess.
Can ER316L be welded?
Weld with pure Ar (GTAW) or Ar+2%O₂ / Ar+1–3%CO₂ (GMAW), interpass ≤150 °C, low heat input, back-purge root passes; no preheat and normally no PWHT.
Can ER316L be formed, bent or molded?
Deposited metal is very ductile and can be cold formed or planished, but it work hardens fast and springs back more than carbon steel.
ER316L 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 to resist sensitization | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Ni | 11 – 14 | 12.3 |
| Mopitting resistance | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2.5 | 1.7 |
| SiER316LSi variant raises Si to 0.65–1.00 | 0.3 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.75 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER316L?
Grind/pickle-passivate or electropolish welds (ASTM A380/A967) to remove heat tint and restore chloride pitting resistance; do not use carbon-steel tools or brushes.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel ER316L in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S31683
- ASTM
- A5.9
- ISO
- 19 12 3 LG 19 12 3 L
- GB (China)
- H03Cr19Ni12Mo2H316L
- JIS
- YS316LY316L
How much does ER316L cost?
ER316L 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.
ER316L — frequently asked
What is ER316L used for?
ER316L is typically used for chemical processing equipment, marine fabrication, pharmaceutical vessels and pulp and paper equipment. In short: standard 316L matching filler; better chloride pitting resistance than ER308L; low-carbon, sensitization resistant.
What is the yield strength of ER316L?
ER316L has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ER316L easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades). Weld deposits machine like 316L — slow speeds, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy rigid setups and flood coolant to fight work hardening and gumminess.
Can ER316L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Weld with pure Ar (GTAW) or Ar+2%O₂ / Ar+1–3%CO₂ (GMAW), interpass ≤150 °C, low heat input, back-purge root passes; no preheat and normally no PWHT.
What surface finishes work on ER316L?
Grind/pickle-passivate or electropolish welds (ASTM A380/A967) to remove heat tint and restore chloride pitting resistance; do not use carbon-steel tools or brushes.
Can ER316L be formed, bent or molded?
Deposited metal is very ductile and can be cold formed or planished, but it work hardens fast and springs back more than carbon steel.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER316L?
ER316L 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 ER316L-AW and ER316L AW-SAW?
AW is the default condition — default reporting condition: undiluted as-deposited weld metal with 3–10 FN ferrite, no PWHT. AW-SAW: choose for thick-section, long, high-productivity seams; properties depend strongly on flux and heat input. Yield strength is 420 MPa in AW versus 400 MPa in AW-SAW.
How much does ER316L cost?
ER316L 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 A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2017)
- ISO 14343 — Welding consumables, wire/strip electrodes for stainless and heat-resisting steels (19 12 3 L) — ISO (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Böhler / voestalpine EAS 4 M-IG (ER316L) all-weld-metal data — voestalpine Böhler Welding (2023)
- Outokumpu Steel Grade 316L (4404) physical property data — Outokumpu (2022)
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.