ER308L vs ER316L: 68% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
ER308L vs ER316L
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ER308L
Low-carbon austenitic stainless steel welding wire — the standard filler for joining 304 and 304L stainless steels. The L (low carbon ≤0.03%) prevents sensitization and intergranular corrosion in the heat-affected zone. Used for TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) with pure argon or Ar/CO2 shielding. Produces fully austenitic-ferritic weld metal with 5-15 FN (Ferrite Number) for crack resistance. Used for food processing equipment, chemical tanks, pharmaceutical vessels, and architectural stainless fabrication.
ER316L
Low-carbon molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel welding wire — the standard filler for joining 316 and 316L stainless steels. 2-3% Mo provides superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance versus ER308L, especially in chloride environments. Low carbon (≤0.03%) prevents sensitization. Used for TIG and MIG welding of chemical processing equipment, marine hardware, pharmaceutical vessels, pulp & paper digesters, and offshore piping. Also used for dissimilar joints between 304 and 316 grades.
| ER308L | ER316L | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Welding | Welding |
| Standard | AWS A5.9 | AWS A5.9 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | ER308L | ER316L | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.03% | OK |
| Si | 0.3–0.65% | 0.3–0.65% | OK |
| Mn | 1–2.5% | 1–2.5% | OK |
| P | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | ER308L | ER316L | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | ≥ 520 | ≥ 490 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 320 | ≥ 310 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 35 | ≥ 30 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
ER308L and ER316L have moderate differences (68% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ER308L the same as ER316L?
ER308L and ER316L have a 68% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ER308L with ER316L?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (68% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ER308L and ER316L?
The main differences are in the following elements: Cr, Mo, Ni. ER308L is a Welding grade, while ER316L is a Welding grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.