AWS A5.4/A5.4M · Stainless Steel
E308L Welding Electrode
E308L is the standard stick electrode for welding 304 and 304L stainless, with a low 0.04% maximum carbon that protects against intergranular corrosion.
- 75 ksi tensile
- Polarity DCEP, AC
- 4 positions
- Shallow to medium penetration
- Stick (SMAW)
What E308L means
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Covered electrode for shielded metal arc welding |
| 308 | Nominal 19% chromium, 10% nickel composition matching Type 304 base metal |
| L | Low carbon, 0.04% maximum, to resist carbide precipitation |
| -16 | Lime-titania coating usable on AC or DCEP (a -17 suffix indicates a silica-bearing coating with a more fluid puddle) |
E308L specifications
| AWS specification | AWS A5.4/A5.4M |
|---|---|
| Process | Stick (SMAW) |
| Form | Covered electrode |
| Polarity | DCEP, AC |
| Welding positions | Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead |
| Tensile strength (min) | 75 ksi (520 MPa) |
| Yield strength (min) | 45 ksi (310 MPa) |
| Elongation (min) | 35% |
| Impact toughness | Not required; austenitic deposits stay tough to cryogenic temperatures |
| Coating / core | Lime-titania (-16) |
| Penetration | Shallow to medium |
| Deposition rate | Medium |
| Slag | Self-lifting, brittle, must be removed completely between passes |
| Arc character | Smooth with a fluid, slow-freezing puddle |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielding |
E308L amperage by diameter
Typical operating ranges. Start near the middle of the range, then adjust by sound and bead profile. Reduce 10–15% for vertical and overhead work.
| Diameter | Amperage range | Typical start |
|---|---|---|
| 3/32 in (2.4 mm) | 40–80 A | 60 A |
| 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | 65–110 A | 88 A |
| 5/32 in (4.0 mm) | 95–150 A | 122 A |
| 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | 130–190 A | 160 A |
Polarity: DCEP is standard. The -16 coating also runs on AC, which is useful on transformer machines; -15 coatings are DCEP only.
What E308L is used for
- Food, dairy and beverage equipment
- Chemical process piping and tanks in 304/304L
- Architectural stainless fabrication
- Sanitary and pharmaceutical vessels
- General 300-series stainless repair
Base metals
- Type 304 and 304L
- Type 302 and 305
- Type 308
- Stabilized grades where 347 filler is not required
Characteristics
- 0.04% maximum carbon prevents chromium carbide precipitation in the 800–1500 °F sensitization range
- Deposit retains a small amount of delta ferrite, typically FN 4–10, which resists hot cracking
- Slower-freezing puddle than carbon steel electrodes
- Roughly half the thermal conductivity and 50% more thermal expansion than carbon steel, so distortion control matters
- Higher electrical resistance means the rod heats up along its length — run it cooler and shorter
Storage and handling
Keep dry. Stainless coatings pick up moisture and cause porosity and worm tracks.
- Store unopened in a dry area; after opening, hold at 250–300 °F (120–150 °C) in a rod oven.
- Redry damp electrodes at 500–600 °F (260–315 °C) for one hour — check the manufacturer's data sheet, as stainless redry temperatures are lower than carbon steel low-hydrogen rods.
- Never store stainless rods loose in a toolbox with carbon steel rods; iron contamination causes rust spotting on the finished weld.
Welding tips
- Run 10–15% lower amperage than you would use on carbon steel of the same thickness.
- Keep interpass temperature below about 350 °F (175 °C) to limit sensitization and distortion.
- Use stainless-only brushes and grinding media; carbon steel contamination will rust and initiate pitting.
- Chip all slag completely — stainless slag left between passes is a classic source of inclusions.
- For 304 to carbon steel joints, use E309L instead; E308L will dilute to a crack-sensitive composition.
E308L frequently asked questions
What is E308L used for?
Welding Type 304 and 304L austenitic stainless steel — food and dairy equipment, chemical piping, tanks and architectural work.
What does the L in E308L mean?
Low carbon, 0.04% maximum. Less carbon means less chromium carbide forms at the grain boundaries when the weld is held in the 800–1500 °F range, which preserves corrosion resistance.
Can E308L weld 316 stainless?
It will make a sound weld mechanically, but it has no molybdenum, so the joint loses the pitting and chloride resistance that 316 is chosen for. Use E316L on 316 base metal.
What amperage for 1/8 in E308L?
65–110 A DCEP, typically around 80–95 A. That is noticeably lower than a 1/8 in carbon steel rod because stainless conducts heat poorly and the electrode overheats.
Can you weld stainless to carbon steel with E308L?
No — use E309L. Dilution from the carbon steel side drops the alloy content of an E308L deposit into a martensitic, crack-sensitive range.
Compare E308L with
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