Chemical components

Product Description

AWS E308-16 is a premium all-position stainless steel welding electrode compliant with AWS A5.4 and ASME SFA-5.4 standards, featuring a titanium-calcium (rutile-type) coating that provides exceptional welding performance for joining 18-8 type austenitic stainless steels. Designed with a nominal composition of 19Cr-9Ni (18.0-21.0% chromium, 9.0-11.0% nickel) with carbon content ≤0.08%, it delivers excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties comparable to base metals such as Types 301, 302, 304, and 308 stainless steels. The electrode operates with both AC and DCEP current, making it highly versatile for various welding environments and equipment capabilities.

Features

▪ Excellent Weldability & All-Position Performance: The titanium-calcium coating ensures stable arc transfer, minimal spatter, and easy slag removal across all welding positions (flat, horizontal, vertical-up, overhead). The self-detaching slag significantly reduces the risk of slag inclusions and cleanup time, while the spray-like arc characteristics provide directional control for precise metal placement even for less experienced welders.
▪ Superior Mechanical & Corrosion Resistance: Delivers exceptional tensile strength (550-620 MPa/80-90 ksi), yield strength (420-455 MPa/61-66 ksi), and elongation (30-47%) with typical ferrite numbers ranging from 4-12 for optimal crack resistance. The weld metal exhibits outstanding intergranular corrosion resistance due to controlled carbon content, making it suitable for mildly to moderately corrosive environments including food processing and marine applications.
▪ Versatile Operation & Low Maintenance: Compatible with both AC and DC power sources (DCEP preferred), providing flexibility in various workshop settings and field applications. The coating shows good heat resistance with minimal redness during welding, while the electrode's moisture resistance reduces sensitivity to storage conditions. Pre-drying at 300-350°C for 1 hour is recommended for optimal performance, particularly for critical applications.

Applications

▪ Widely used across diverse industries for welding austenitic stainless steel structures and components requiring excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical integrity:
▪ Food Processing & Pharmaceutical Equipment: Ideal for welding dairy tanks, brewery vessels, CIP (Clean-In-Place) piping systems, food processing machinery, and sanitary equipment where hygienic welds and corrosion resistance are essential. The low-carbon deposit minimizes carbide precipitation, ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
▪ Chemical & Petrochemical Industries: Extensively used for fabricating and repairing chemical tanks, pressure vessels, piping systems, and process equipment exposed to corrosive chemicals. Suitable for welding Types 321 and 347 stainless steels in non-critical chloride environments and can be employed in cryogenic applications such as LNG containers and liquid nitrogen storage.
▪ General Fabrication & Maintenance Repair: Applied extensively for stainless steel structures, handrails, architectural components, marine fittings, and repair work in shipyards and coastal facilities. The electrode's all-position capability makes it excellent for on-site maintenance, field repairs, and fabrications with variable fit-up conditions where AC power sources are commonly used.
▪ Automotive & Heavy Equipment Manufacturing: Used for welding exhaust systems, brackets, heat exchangers, and various components requiring stainless steel construction. The combination of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance makes it suitable for parts exposed to harsh operating environments and thermal cycling.