Steel ER90S-B3
UNS K30960
ER90S-B3 is a 2.25Cr-1Mo low-alloy solid filler wire (UNS K30960) carrying higher carbon than ER90S-B3L, which raises deposited weld-metal strength.
Reference datasheet — ER90S-B3 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 PWHT690 condition
ER90S-B3 tempers and conditions
ER90S-B3 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. PWHT690 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PWHT | Higher-temperature field PWHT used on thick P22 welds; softer and tougher deposit, strength approaches the lower end of the 620 MPa class. | 530 | 640 | 24 | 185 HB | 8 % IACS |
PWHT690Default PWHT | Standard condition for P22 piping and vessels: meets the 620 MPa / 530 MPa AWS minima with good toughness. | 580 | 680 | 21 | 205 HB | — |
As-welded deposit | Untempered bainitic/martensitic deposit — high strength and hardness but low toughness and hydrogen-cracking risk; acceptable only where code permits no PWHT. | 700 | 820 | 17 | 30 HRC | — |
What is ER90S-B3?
ER90S-B3 is a 2.25Cr-1Mo low-alloy solid filler wire (UNS K30960) carrying higher carbon than ER90S-B3L, which raises deposited weld-metal strength. It is specified for matched welds in P22/T22 alloy steel piping and vessels and is supplied as spooled wire for GMAW/SAW and cut lengths for GTAW. In the PWHT condition the deposit gives about 580 MPa yield, 680 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and 205 HB, with service to 580 °C. It demands preheat, controlled interpass and post-weld heat treatment, and has no corrosion resistance; choose ER90S-B3L where lower as-welded and post-PWHT hardness is required. ER90S-B3 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). ER90S-B3 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is ER90S-B3 used for?
- P22 high-strength piping welds
- power plant boiler components
- hydroprocessing reactor welds
Advantages
- High service temperature — 580°C (1,076 °F), better than 97% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- High strength — 580 MPa (84.1 ksi), better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
ER90S-B3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER90S-B3-PWHT690; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
ER90S-B3 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical15
ER90S-B3 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
ER90S-B3 is rated for continuous service to 580°C (1,076 °F). It conducts heat at 37 W/m·K (21.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER90S-B3 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER90S-B3 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
ER90S-B3's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. ER90S-B3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ER90S-B3
Is ER90S-B3 easy to machine?
Machine the deposit after PWHT; as-welded bainite at ~30 HRC dulls carbide tooling quickly.
Can ER90S-B3 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SAW with Ar or Ar-CO₂; preheat 200–260 °C, interpass ≤ 315 °C, low-hydrogen practice, and PWHT 690–760 °C to temper the deposit and avoid hydrogen cracking.
Can ER90S-B3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire (spools, 1000 mm cut lengths); no user forming — protect from moisture and handle with clean gloves.
ER90S-B3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigher than the 'L' (low-carbon) variant | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Si | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Cr | 2.3 – 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Mo | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Cuincludes any copper coating | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| other (total)total of other elements | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ER90S-B3?
Weld deposits are usually ground/blended and then painted or insulated; no anodizing, and the alloy rusts if left bare.
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 ER90S-B3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- K30960
- Other
- ER62S-B3
How much does ER90S-B3 cost?
ER90S-B3 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
ER90S-B3 — frequently asked
What is ER90S-B3 used for?
ER90S-B3 is typically used for P22 high-strength piping welds, power plant boiler components and hydroprocessing reactor welds. In short: matched P22 filler wire; stronger than B3L; 580 °C service rating.
What is the yield strength of ER90S-B3?
ER90S-B3 has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is ER90S-B3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine the deposit after PWHT; as-welded bainite at ~30 HRC dulls carbide tooling quickly.
Can ER90S-B3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/GMAW/SAW with Ar or Ar-CO₂; preheat 200–260 °C, interpass ≤ 315 °C, low-hydrogen practice, and PWHT 690–760 °C to temper the deposit and avoid hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on ER90S-B3?
Weld deposits are usually ground/blended and then painted or insulated; no anodizing, and the alloy rusts if left bare.
Can ER90S-B3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as drawn wire (spools, 1000 mm cut lengths); no user forming — protect from moisture and handle with clean gloves.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER90S-B3?
ER90S-B3 is rated for continuous use to about 580°C (1,076 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER90S-B3 PWHT690 and ER90S-B3-AW?
PWHT690 is the default condition — standard condition for P22 piping and vessels: meets the 620 MPa / 530 MPa AWS minima with good toughness. AW: untempered bainitic/martensitic deposit — high strength and hardness but low toughness and hydrogen-cracking risk; acceptable only where code permits no PWHT. Yield strength is 580 MPa in PWHT690 versus 700 MPa in AW.
How much does ER90S-B3 cost?
ER90S-B3 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 — AWS (2020)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C (SFA-5.28) and Part D (2.25Cr-1Mo physical properties) — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 & Vol.6 — Cr-Mo steels and weld metals — ASM International (2005)
- 2.25Cr-1Mo TIG/MIG wire datasheets (Böhler DCMS-IG, Lincoln LNT/Techalloy, ESAB OK Tigrod 13.20) — various (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.