SMAW · Stainless steel
E308L-16
The default stainless rod for welding the common 18-8 grades, giving a low carbon austenitic deposit with enough ferrite to resist hot cracking.
What the designation means
Point at any character to see what it claims. The classification is a sentence written in fields, not a product name.
- ECovered electrode for shielded metal arc welding.
- 308An austenitic chromium-nickel deposit in the nominal 19 chromium, 9 nickel class.
- LControlled low carbon content, which limits chromium carbide formation and helps the joint resist intergranular attack.
- -16The covering type, a titania bearing formulation that runs on alternating current or direct current electrode positive.
At a glance
- Process
- SMAW
- Family
- Stainless steel
- Positions
- All positions
- Polarity
- DCEP, or AC
- Shielding
- Self-shielded by the covering
- Minimum tensile
- 75ksi
Typical uses
- Joining 304 and 304L stainless steel piping, tanks, and plate
- Food, dairy, and process equipment fabrication
- Repairs on existing austenitic stainless assemblies
How it runs
- Sluggish puddle compared with carbon steel rods, so travel speed must slow down
- Heavy, brittle slag that lifts cleanly when the bead has contracted
- Bright, finely rippled bead that discolours if the heat input runs high
- Requires low interpass temperature to protect corrosion resistance
Storage and handling
Keep in sealed packaging and store warm and dry. Damp stainless coverings cause porosity and a badly wandering arc.
Compare with
SMAWE316L-16The molybdenum-bearing stainless rod chosen when the service environment contains chlorides or acids that would pit an ordinary 18-8 deposit.SMAWE309L-16The go-to rod for joining stainless to carbon steel, because its extra chromium and nickel keep the diluted deposit austenitic instead of hard and crack prone.GMAWER308LThe standard stainless filler for 304 and 304L base metal, with a small amount of retained ferrite in the deposit to guard against solidification cracking.