AWS A5.9 / ASME SFA-5.9 · Stainless MIG wire & TIG rod (GMAW / GTAW)

ER308L Stainless MIG Wire and TIG Rod

ER308L is an extra-low-carbon austenitic stainless steel bare wire or rod classified to AWS A5.9 for MIG and TIG welding of 304 and 304L stainless steels and niobium-stabilised steels of the same type at service temperatures up to 350 °C, depositing weld metal with roughly 19 % chromium, 9 % nickel and about 8 % ferrite, with the ER308LSi variant carrying additional silicon to improve wetting and bead shape.

Austenitic stainless steel, 304 / 304L / 18Cr-8Ni
Stainless MIG wire & TIG rod (GMAW / GTAW)
EN ISO 14343-A
6 ESAB grades

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Price on request. POFIS is an ESAB Authorized Distributor & Service Centre in Abu Dhabi — quotations include confirmed lead time and delivery terms.

The designation

What ER308L / ER308LSi means

ER: A bare electrode or rod under AWS A5.9 — the same filler fed continuously as MIG wire or cut into lengths as TIG rod. The covered stick electrode equivalent is E308L under AWS A5.4.
308: The weld metal composition, nominally 19–21 % chromium and 9–11 % nickel, matched to 304 and 304L parent material and deliberately slightly over-alloyed so the deposit retains a few per cent ferrite.
L: Extra low carbon, 0.03 % maximum for A5.9 bare wire. Carbon combines with chromium at grain boundaries during welding and leaves them chromium-depleted, which is what causes intergranular corrosion. Holding carbon low prevents it.
Si: The optional high-silicon variant. Silicon lowers the surface tension of the weld pool so it wets out and lies flatter, which makes MIG welding markedly easier and the bead better shaped. It is the single most useful modifier on a stainless MIG wire.

Reading the ER308L / ER308LSi designation, left to right.

How it behaves

ER308L / ER308LSi in practice

The silicon question, which is the real decision here

ER308L and ER308LSi are the same alloy apart from silicon content, and the choice between them is about process rather than about the parent material. Silicon lowers the surface tension of the molten pool, so an LSi wire wets into the joint and produces a flatter, better-shaped bead with less post-weld dressing. For MIG welding that is usually decisive, and LSi is the default. For TIG the pool is controlled by the welder rather than by fluidity, so the advantage is smaller. The one caution is that silicon can make slag islands on multi-pass work slightly more tenacious — they must be removed between passes or they become inclusions.

The 350 °C service ceiling

ESAB states the limit explicitly for this alloy family: ER308L joins 18Cr/8Ni ELC and niobium-stabilised steels of the same type for service temperatures up to 350 °C. Above that, carbide precipitation and its consequences for corrosion resistance come back into play even with a low-carbon deposit, and a stabilised grade such as 347 is the right answer instead. This is the figure to check first when a buyer describes a hot application.

Ferrite, hot cracking and why wires quote it

A fully austenitic weld deposit is prone to solidification hot cracking, so 308-type fillers are formulated to leave a controlled few per cent of delta ferrite — ESAB publishes approximately 8 % for most of these wires and approximately 10 % for OK Tigrod 316L in the sister alloy. That ferrite interrupts the continuous austenite grain boundaries a hot crack would otherwise run along. It is a designed feature, and on cryogenic work it has to be controlled downwards, because ferrite embrittles at very low temperature.

Cryogenic capability goes further than most people expect

Exaton 19.9.L is optimised for cryogenic service and ESAB rates it down to 4 K — that is −269 °C, liquid helium — naming dewars, cryostats, containers, tanks and transfer systems for LNG, LPG, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. It publishes 40 J at −269 °C and 90 J at −196 °C. Its chemical composition and ferrite content are controlled both for low-temperature impact and lateral expansion and for resistance to microfissuring. For LNG work this is a materially different product from a general-purpose 308L wire.

Shielding gas differs between MIG and TIG

ESAB specifies M12 or M13 for the MIG wires — argon with a small oxidising addition — and pure argon I1 for the TIG rods. Stainless MIG does not run on CO₂: the carbon pickup would defeat the low-carbon chemistry the L grade exists for. Confirm the gas against the grade before ordering, because a stainless wire on the wrong gas is a procedure problem rather than just a quality one.

What POFIS supplies

ESAB ER308L / ER308LSi grades

Every grade below carries the ER308L / ER308LSi classification, which is why a WPS naming ER308L / ER308LSi can be satisfied by any of them. They are not interchangeable in practice — the differences in current type, hydrogen level and impact toughness are what decide which one belongs on your job. Figures are the manufacturer's typical as-welded values.

**ER308L / ER308LSi grades supplied by POFIS** — typical as-welded properties. Blank cells are values the manufacturer does not publish for that grade, not zeros.
Grade	Classification	Yield	Tensile	Elong.	Impact (lowest published)
OK Autrod 308LSi POFIS recommends	ER308LSi (AWS A5.9)	420 MPa	570 MPa	36 %	105 J at 20 °C
Exaton 19.9.L (GMAW)	ER308L (AWS A5.9)	420 MPa	570 MPa	41 %	40 J at −269 °C
Exaton 19.9.L (GTAW)	ER308L (AWS A5.9)	420 MPa	570 MPa	41 %	40 J at −269 °C
OK Tigrod 308L	ER308L (AWS A5.9)	440 MPa	580 MPa	36 %	80 J at −196 °C
OK Tigrod 308LSi	ER308LSi (AWS A5.9)	480 MPa	635 MPa	37 %	—
OK Autrod 308L	ER308L (AWS A5.9)	400 MPa	560 MPa	36 %	—

OK Autrod 308LSi ER308LSi (AWS A5.9)

The default MIG wire for 304 and 304L: high silicon for good wetting and a flat bead, and the widest diameter range here at 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm. For chemical, food processing, pipe, tube and boiler fabrication.

Diameters: 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.6 mm
Alloy type: Austenitic, approx. 8 % ferrite — 19 % Cr, 9 % Ni, low C, high Si
Type: Solid MIG wire (GMAW), shielding M12 / M13
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 4-58

Exaton 19.9.L (GMAW) ER308L (AWS A5.9)

The cryogenic grade, rated to 4 K (−269 °C) where it still returns 40 J, with 90 J at −196 °C. Composition and ferrite controlled for impact, lateral expansion and microfissuring resistance. For LNG, LPG and liquid helium service.

Diameters: 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.6 mm
Alloy type: Austenitic, approx. 8 % ferrite — 19 % Cr, 9 % Ni, low C
Type: Solid MIG wire (GMAW)
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 4-100

Exaton 19.9.L (GTAW) ER308L (AWS A5.9)

The TIG form of the same cryogenic grade, 145 J at room temperature and 40 J at −269 °C. The choice for cryogenic root runs on dewars, cryostats and LNG transfer systems.

Alloy type: Austenitic, approx. 8 % ferrite — 19 % Cr, 9 % Ni, low C
Type: TIG rod (GTAW)
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 4-131

OK Tigrod 308L ER308L (AWS A5.9)

The toughest of the standard TIG rods: 170 J at room temperature, 135 J at −80 °C and 80 J at −196 °C under pure argon. ESAB also permits it on chromium steels except in sulphur-rich environments.

Alloy type: Austenitic, approx. 8 % ferrite — 19 % Cr, 9 % Ni, low C
Type: TIG rod (GTAW), shielding I1
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 4-85

OK Tigrod 308LSi ER308LSi (AWS A5.9)

The higher-silicon TIG rod, and the strongest here at 480 MPa yield and 635 MPa tensile. Silicon helps the pool wet out, which is useful on thin section and on joints with imperfect fit-up.

Alloy type: Austenitic, approx. 8 % ferrite — 19 % Cr, 9 % Ni, low C, high Si
Type: TIG rod (GTAW), shielding I1
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 4-86

OK Autrod 308L ER308L (AWS A5.9)

The plain MIG wire without added silicon, for procedures that limit silicon content or multi-pass work where slag islands are a nuisance. 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm.

Diameters: 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm
Alloy type: Austenitic, approx. 8 % ferrite — 19 % Cr, 9 % Ni, low C
Type: Solid MIG wire (GMAW), shielding M12 / M13
Source: ESAB Filler Metal Handbook, page 4-57

Diameters are listed from the manufacturer's deposition data. Ordering part numbers and pack sizes are confirmed with your quotation — send the grade and diameters you need to weldiv@pofis.ae.

Specifying

Which ER308L / ER308LSi grade to specify

For general MIG welding of 304 and 304L

OK Autrod 308LSi is the default: high silicon for good wetting, the widest diameter range here at 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm, M12 or M13 shielding, giving 420 MPa yield and 570 MPa tensile with 105 J at room temperature. For most chemical, food processing, pipe, tube and boiler fabrication in 304L this is the wire to quote.

Where silicon is not wanted

OK Autrod 308L is the plain version, 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm, at 400 MPa yield and 560 MPa tensile. Specify it where a procedure or client specification limits silicon, or where the work is multi-pass and the slag islands silicon produces are a nuisance to clean between runs.

For TIG roots and manual work

OK Tigrod 308L gives the best toughness of the standard grades at 170 J at room temperature, 135 J at −80 °C and 80 J at −196 °C, under pure argon. OK Tigrod 308LSi is the higher-silicon alternative at 480 MPa yield and 635 MPa tensile. For a root run that stays in low-temperature service, start with the plain grade and its published impact data.

For cryogenic and LNG work

Exaton 19.9.L is the grade, available for both MIG and TIG, rated to 4 K (−269 °C) with 40 J at that temperature and 90 J at −196 °C. Composition and ferrite are controlled for impact strength, lateral expansion and microfissuring resistance. Do not substitute a general-purpose 308L wire into a cryogenic procedure — the ferrite that protects against hot cracking during welding is the same ferrite that embrittles at liquid nitrogen temperature, and the balance here is deliberate.

Where 308L is the wrong alloy

If the parent is 316 or 316L, use ER316L — the molybdenum is what resists chloride pitting and a 308L deposit has none. If stainless is being joined to carbon steel, use ER309L. If the service runs above 350 °C, use a stabilised 347 type. And if the parent is duplex, use ER2209: 308L is both much weaker and far less chloride-resistant.

Storage & handling

Storing and handling ER308L / ER308LSi consumables

Dedicate everything to stainless

Iron particles transferred from a shared grinding disc, wire brush, bench or set of rollers will rust on a stainless surface and start pitting underneath. Dedicate abrasives, brushes and feeder consumables to stainless, keep the fabrication area separate, and pickle and passivate where the service environment requires it.

Clean slag islands between passes

Silicon-bearing wires produce small glassy slag islands on the bead surface. On a single-pass fillet they are cosmetic; on multi-pass work they must be removed before the next run or they become inclusions. This is the one practical cost of choosing LSi, and it is easily managed if the welder expects it.

Frequently asked

ER308L / ER308LSi — common questions

What is the difference between ER308L and ER308LSi?

Silicon content only — the alloy is otherwise the same. Silicon lowers the surface tension of the weld pool so it wets into the joint and lies flatter, which makes MIG welding easier and the bead better shaped. ER308LSi is the usual choice for MIG; the advantage is smaller in TIG, where the welder controls the pool. The one cost is slightly more tenacious slag islands, which must be cleaned between passes on multi-pass work.

What is the difference between ER308L and E308L?

The form and the specification. ER308L is a bare wire or rod under AWS A5.9, used for MIG and TIG. E308L is a covered stick electrode under AWS A5.4, with a coating that provides shielding and slag. Same alloy family, different specifications — a procedure qualified on one is not qualified on the other.

What is the maximum service temperature for ER308L?

350 °C. ESAB states this explicitly: the alloy joins 18Cr/8Ni ELC and niobium-stabilised steels of the same type for service up to 350 °C. Above that, carbide precipitation and the loss of corrosion resistance that follows come back into play even with a low-carbon deposit, and a stabilised 347-type filler is the correct answer.

Can ER308L be used at cryogenic temperatures?

The standard grades hold useful toughness to −196 °C — OK Tigrod 308L gives 80 J there. For genuine cryogenic service, Exaton 19.9.L is the purpose-made grade, rated to 4 K (−269 °C) with 40 J at that temperature, with composition and ferrite controlled for impact, lateral expansion and microfissuring resistance. ESAB names dewars, cryostats and LNG, LPG, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium systems.

What shielding gas is used for stainless MIG wire?

ESAB specifies M12 or M13 for its stainless MIG wires — argon with a small oxidising addition — and pure argon (I1) for TIG rods. Stainless MIG is not run on CO₂: the carbon pickup would defeat the low-carbon chemistry that the L grade exists to provide.

Why does stainless filler wire contain ferrite?

To prevent solidification hot cracking. A fully austenitic deposit cracks along its continuous austenite grain boundaries as it solidifies; a few per cent of delta ferrite interrupts them. ESAB publishes approximately 8 % ferrite for most of these wires. It is a designed feature, not a contaminant — though on cryogenic work it has to be controlled downwards, because ferrite embrittles at very low temperature.

Can ER308L be used to weld 316L?

No. 316 and 316L contain molybdenum, which provides resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion. An ER308L deposit contains none, so in chloride service the weld bead pits while the parent either side of it does not. Use ER316L on 316 and 316L — the pitting resistance has to be continuous through the joint.

Who supplies ER308L stainless wire in Abu Dhabi?

POFIS supplies the full ESAB OK Autrod, OK Tigrod and Exaton stainless ranges from Abu Dhabi across the UAE and the wider GCC, as an ESAB Authorized Distributor and Service Centre, approved ADNOC vendor and ISO 9001 certified supplier. Tell us the diameter, the shielding gas and whether the service is cryogenic and we will confirm the grade before quoting. Email weldiv@pofis.ae.

Procurement & supply

Buying the ER308L / ER308LSi consumables through POFIS

The ER308L / ER308LSi consumables is supplied from Abu Dhabi by Perfect Oilfield & Industrial Supply LLC as an ESAB Authorized Distributor and Service Centre. The information below covers what procurement and QA/QC departments normally need before raising a purchase order.

Lead time

Stock items dispatch from Abu Dhabi within 24–48 hours. Indent items are quoted with a confirmed lead time at the time of offer.

Approved vendor status

POFIS is an approved ADNOC vendor and is listed on the approved vendor lists (AVL) of major operators and EPC contractors across the GCC. We can complete supplier registration and prequalification documentation on request.

Payment terms

Standard credit terms are available to registered corporate accounts. LPO, LC and advance payment are all accepted.

Delivery terms

Delivery across the UAE and the wider GCC. Quotations can be issued on EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP terms to suit your project.

Warranty

Full manufacturer warranty, honoured locally. As an ESAB Authorized Service Centre we carry out warranty work and repairs in Abu Dhabi rather than returning equipment abroad.

Service & spares

In-UAE service, commissioning, operator training and spare parts backing for every machine we supply.

ISO 9001 Certified
Approved ADNOC Vendor
ESAB Authorized Distributor & Service Centre

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Send the form and the POFIS welding division replies with pricing, confirmed lead time, delivery terms and availability. Tell us who you are and what the job is, so the reply can be specific to it rather than a catalogue price list.

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