Description
The Workhorse of Austenitic Stainless Steel Welding
For over 15 years, we’ve watched welders reach for ER308L as their go-to wire for 304/304L stainless – and for good reason. This isn’t just another commodity welding consumable. It’s the reliable solution that gets called in when corrosion resistance and weld integrity can’t be compromised.
What makes it special? Start with that ≤0.03% carbon content. We know carbide precipitation is the enemy of stainless steel’s corrosion resistance, especially in heat-affected zones. Our controlled low-carbon formulation prevents sensitization, even after prolonged exposure at 425-815°C. The 19.5-22% chromium and 9-11% nickel create a balanced austenitic structure that handles everything from cryogenic temperatures up to 300°C service.
Real-World Performance You Can Trust
- Food-grade equipment fabricators love how the wire maintains clean welds without porosity issues, even on 2B finish sheets. The 0.3-0.65% silicon promotes good wetting without excessive slag formation.
- Chemical plant contractors report fewer interpass cracking issues compared to ER308H, especially in multipass joints. The 1.0-2.5% manganese helps control sulfur effects without sacrificing toughness.
- We’ve seen pipeline welders achieve 100% radiographic pass rates using 1.2mm wire with 98%Ar/2%O₂ shielding – a testament to our strict ±0.01mm diameter tolerance and consistent wire feeding.
Our dual certification (AWS A5.9 ER308L & ISO 14343-B SS308L) means you’re covered globally. But beyond specs, we focus on what matters: The wire arrives with clean, dry packaging because we know how moisture affects weld quality. The precision layer winding prevents tangles during high-deposition automated welding.
From Our Mills to Your Welding Benches
We produce this in multiple diameters – from 0.8mm for delicate food equipment to 3.2mm for heavy vessel cladding. Most orders ship as 15kg DIN100 spools, but we’ve supplied everything from 5-ton bulk coils for pipeline projects to straightened lengths for robotic cells.
As a Chinese mill, we control the entire process – from raw material sourcing (we use only vacuum-remelted alloy billets) to final quality checks. This vertical integration lets us customize:
– Special diameter tolerances (±0.005mm available)
– Alternative packaging (corrosion-inhibiting VCI paper options)
– Modified chemistry for specific applications
Have a unique requirement? We’ve probably solved it before. Let’s discuss how we can support your next project – whether you need standard ER308L or a tailored variant. Our technical team is ready to help.
