AWS A5.4/A5.4M · Stainless Steel
E410 Welding Electrode
E410 is a 12% chromium martensitic stainless electrode for matching 410 base metal and hardfacing — it air-hardens, so preheat and post-weld heat treatment are mandatory.
- 75 ksi tensile
- Polarity DCEP, AC
- 4 positions
- Medium penetration
- Stick (SMAW)
What E410 means
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Covered electrode for shielded metal arc welding |
| 410 | Nominal 12% chromium martensitic stainless, matching Type 410 base metal |
| -15 / -16 | Lime coating (DCEP only) or lime-titania coating (AC or DCEP) |
E410 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) | 55 ksi (380 MPa) |
| Elongation (min) | 20% |
| Impact toughness | Not required; properties depend heavily on post-weld heat treatment |
| Coating / core | Lime or lime-titania |
| Penetration | Medium |
| Deposition rate | Medium |
| Slag | Moderate, releases readily |
| Arc character | Stable with a slightly stiff puddle |
| Shielding gas | None — self-shielding |
E410 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) | 70–110 A | 90 A |
| 5/32 in (4.0 mm) | 100–150 A | 125 A |
| 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | 130–190 A | 160 A |
Polarity: The -15 lime coating is DCEP only; the -16 lime-titania coating runs on AC or DCEP. Check the specific product.
What E410 is used for
- Repair and joining of 410 martensitic stainless components
- Overlay on valve seats, pump sleeves and shafts
- Steam turbine and compressor blade repair
- Wear-resistant surfacing on carbon steel
- Oil-field and refinery components in mildly corrosive service
Base metals
- Type 410, 410S and 416
- Type 403 and 405
- 13% chromium castings
- Carbon steel requiring a corrosion or wear-resistant overlay
Characteristics
- Hardens on cooling in still air — the deposit transforms to martensite without any quench
- Preheat of 350–450 °F (175–230 °C) and a maintained interpass temperature are required to avoid cracking
- Post-weld heat treatment, typically tempering at 1200–1400 °F (650–760 °C), restores ductility
- As-welded hardness can exceed 40 HRC, which is useful for wear but brittle for structural service
- Magnetic, unlike the austenitic 300-series deposits
Storage and handling
Dry storage and a rod oven at 250–300 °F (120–150 °C) after opening — hydrogen cracking is a real risk with martensitic deposits.
- Moisture matters more here than with austenitic stainless because the martensitic deposit is hydrogen-sensitive.
- Redry damp rods per the manufacturer's data sheet, typically 500–600 °F (260–315 °C) for one hour.
- Keep isolated from carbon steel consumables.
Welding tips
- Do not skip preheat. A 410 deposit that cools fast from welding temperature will crack, often hours later.
- Keep the part above the preheat temperature continuously until post-weld heat treatment begins.
- Cool slowly — wrap in insulating blanket or cool in a furnace rather than in open shop air.
- If the joint cannot be heat treated, consider an austenitic filler such as E309L instead, accepting the change in properties.
- Machining is done after tempering, not in the as-welded condition.
E410 frequently asked questions
Does E410 require preheat?
Yes. Preheat of 350–450 °F (175–230 °C) is required and must be maintained as interpass temperature. The deposit air-hardens to martensite and will crack without it.
Does E410 need post-weld heat treatment?
For almost all structural and pressure applications, yes — typically tempering at 1200–1400 °F (650–760 °C) followed by controlled cooling. Hardfacing overlays are sometimes left as-welded where the hardness is the point.
Is E410 magnetic?
Yes. Martensitic stainless is strongly magnetic, unlike the austenitic 300-series deposits from E308L, E309L or E316L.
What amperage for 1/8 in E410?
70–110 A, typically around 90 A. Keep heat input controlled and maintain the preheat temperature throughout.
Can E410 be used without heat treatment?
Only for hardfacing overlays on thin sections where hardness is wanted and the joint is not load-bearing in tension. On any structural joint, skipping PWHT leaves brittle, crack-prone weld metal.
Compare E410 with
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