Steel ER80S-Ni3
UNS K31240
ER80S-Ni3 is a 3.25 % nickel alloyed low-alloy steel solid filler wire (UNS K31240) offering the highest low-temperature toughness of the Ni-series wires for demanding cold-service and cryogenic steel welds.
Reference datasheet — ER80S-Ni3 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
ER80S-Ni3 tempers and conditions
ER80S-Ni3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld heat treated | Pick when the code requires post-weld stress relief of thick low-temperature pressure parts; strength drops slightly, low-temperature toughness and ductility improve. | 480 | 570 | 29 | 175 HB | 7.4 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition for classification testing and most fabrication: deposit used directly without post-weld heat treatment. | 510 | 600 | 26 | 190 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ER80S-Ni3 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 | Cold-drawn, copper-coated or bright solid wire / TIG cut rod | Supply form |
What is ER80S-Ni3?
ER80S-Ni3 is a 3.25 % nickel alloyed low-alloy steel solid filler wire (UNS K31240) offering the highest low-temperature toughness of the Ni-series wires for demanding cold-service and cryogenic steel welds. Typical deposit properties are 510 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and about 190 HB (91 HRB), with service to 350 °C; AW, PWHT and WIRE conditions are on file. It is the most heat-input-sensitive of the series, needs interpass at or below 150 °C, has no corrosion resistance, and copper-coated wire may be restricted in nuclear and cryogenic work. Where requirements are less severe, ER80S-Ni2 is the lower-cost option. ER80S-Ni3 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). ER80S-Ni3 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is ER80S-Ni3 used for?
- cryogenic vessel welding
- LNG storage tank welding
- arctic/offshore low-temperature steel structures
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
ER80S-Ni3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER80S-Ni3-AW; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
ER80S-Ni3 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical14
ER80S-Ni3 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
ER80S-Ni3 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER80S-Ni3 conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER80S-Ni3 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
ER80S-Ni3's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); 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. ER80S-Ni3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER80S-Ni3
Is ER80S-Ni3 easy to machine?
Weld deposit machines like a normalized 550 MPa low-alloy steel — carbide tooling, moderate speeds; slag/spatter removal first to protect edges.
Can ER80S-Ni3 be welded?
GMAW with Ar + 2–20 % CO₂ (low CO₂ preferred for toughness) or GTAW with pure Ar; keep heat input ≤ ~2.0 kJ/mm and interpass ≤ 150 °C to retain -73 °C impact values, preheat per base-metal thickness.
Can ER80S-Ni3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as drawn wire/rod; joints in Ni-steel plate should be cold-formed before welding, and the deposit itself has adequate ductility for post-weld straightening.
ER80S-Ni3 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 A5.28 max | ≤ 0.12 | 0.07 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.25 | 1.05 |
| Si | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.55 |
| Nikey element for low-temperature toughness | 3 – 3.75 | 3.35 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.35 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Cuincluding copper coating | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| other (total)total of all other elements per AWS A5.28 | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER80S-Ni3?
Not corrosion resistant — clean, then paint, metallize or galvanize; do not anodize; avoid copper-coated wire in nuclear/cryo applications that restrict Cu pickup.
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 ER80S-Ni3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- K31240
- Other
- ER55S-Ni3
How much does ER80S-Ni3 cost?
ER80S-Ni3 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.
ER80S-Ni3 — frequently asked
What is ER80S-Ni3 used for?
ER80S-Ni3 is typically used for cryogenic vessel welding, LNG storage tank welding and arctic/offshore low-temperature steel structures. In short: highest toughness Ni-series wire; 3.25 % Ni cryogenic filler; lowest service temperature ceiling.
What is the yield strength of ER80S-Ni3?
ER80S-Ni3 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ER80S-Ni3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Weld deposit machines like a normalized 550 MPa low-alloy steel — carbide tooling, moderate speeds; slag/spatter removal first to protect edges.
Can ER80S-Ni3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). GMAW with Ar + 2–20 % CO₂ (low CO₂ preferred for toughness) or GTAW with pure Ar; keep heat input ≤ ~2.0 kJ/mm and interpass ≤ 150 °C to retain -73 °C impact values, preheat per base-metal thickness.
What surface finishes work on ER80S-Ni3?
Not corrosion resistant — clean, then paint, metallize or galvanize; do not anodize; avoid copper-coated wire in nuclear/cryo applications that restrict Cu pickup.
Can ER80S-Ni3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as drawn wire/rod; joints in Ni-steel plate should be cold-formed before welding, and the deposit itself has adequate ductility for post-weld straightening.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER80S-Ni3?
ER80S-Ni3 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER80S-Ni3-AW and ER80S-Ni3 PWHT?
AW is the default condition — default condition for classification testing and most fabrication: deposit used directly without post-weld heat treatment. PWHT: pick when the code requires post-weld stress relief of thick low-temperature pressure parts; strength drops slightly, low-temperature toughness and ductility improve. Yield strength is 510 MPa in AW versus 480 MPa in PWHT.
How much does ER80S-Ni3 cost?
ER80S-Ni3 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 A5.28/A5.28M — Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2020)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C — SFA-5.28 — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- Solid wire ER80S-Ni3 all-weld-metal data (Lincoln Electric / ESAB / Böhler typical values) — various filler-metal producers (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.