AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG Welding Rod – Composition, Properties, and Uses

As a welder, you are probably familiar with the importance of using high-quality welding materials to achieve strong and long-lasting welds. AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG can be a great option if you are working on projects requiring excellent corrosion resistance and elevated-temperature strength. This blog post delves deeper into this welding material, its composition, and its physical and mechanical properties. We’ll also explore how it is used, heat-treated, and corrosion-resistant.

What is AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG?

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG are stainless steel welding wire and rod used in arc-welding processes such as Gas Metal Arc (GMA) Welding and Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) welding. The difference between the two is ER316H is a different low-carbon version of ER316. Both grades offer excellent corrosion resistance, higher creep resistance, formability, weldability and toughness compared to standard 304-grade stainless steel. These properties make it a great choice for food processing equipment, marine applications and more. They can be used with either MIG or TIG welding processes to create strong welds with excellent corrosion resistance, even in damp environments.

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Welding Rod Composition

AWS Class ER316/316H is a low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel that contains chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. Adding molybdenum to this welding material imparts excellent corrosion resistance and strength at elevated temperatures. Moreover, it can resist pitting, crevice corrosion, and chloride stress corrosion cracking. ER316 is commonly used for welding alloy 316/316L stainless steel, while ER316H is used for welding high-carbon stainless steel grades, such as 316H and 317L.

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Coated Rod Physical Properties

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG has excellent physical properties, such as high ductility, good elongation, and low magnetic permeability. It has a density of 8.0 grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm3), a melting range of 1370-1440 degrees Celsius, and a specific heat of 0.50 J/(g·K). Most importantly, it has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning it can withstand thermal cycling without cracking or deforming.

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Welding Rod Mechanical Properties

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG offers unique mechanical properties, including high tensile strength, good yield strength, and excellent toughness. It has a tensile strength of 580 MPa and a yield strength of 390 MPa. Additionally, its elongation is around 40%, which indicates good ductility. This welding electrode material also boasts good toughness, which can absorb energy before fracture. This property is particularly important in applications that involve impact or stress.

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Welding Rod Trade Name

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Coating Rod Parameters

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Welding Rod Uses

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG can be used in several applications, such as food and beverage processing, chemical processing, heat exchangers, and pharmaceuticals. It is an excellent choice for coated electrode stainless steel components frequently exposed to corrosive environments, elevated temperatures, or both. Additionally, it is well-suited for welding dissimilar metals, such as carbon steel to stainless steel, provided that the right filler metal is used.

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Coated Rod Heat Treatment

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG can be heat-treated, but it is not mandatory for most applications. If heat treatment is required, a solution annealing process is recommended. This process involves heating the weldment to around 1050-1150 degrees Celsius and then rapidly cooling it. This treatment improves the microstructure of the weldment, resulting in better mechanical properties, such as higher tensile strength and improved corrosion resistance.

ER316/316H MIG & TIG Coated Rod Corrosion Resistance

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG is highly corrosion-resistant. Its ability to resist corrosion is attributed to its high chromium, nickel, and molybdenum content. These elements form a passive oxide layer on the surface of the metal, which acts as a barrier against corrosive agents. Furthermore, adding molybdenum to this welding material imparts excellent resistance to chloride-induced corrosion. Therefore, it is an ideal material for applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance, such as food and beverage processing, chemical processing, and pharmaceuticals.

Conclusion:

AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG is a highly versatile welding material with exceptional corrosion resistance, elevated-temperature strength, and toughness. Its composition, physical and mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance make it an ideal choice for various applications that require exposure to harsh environments. Moreover, its ability to be heat-treated further improves its performance. Whenever you need to weld stainless steel components that require excellent corrosion resistance and high strength at elevated temperatures, AWS Class ER316/316H MIG & TIG filler wire is a reliable solution.