aws e308 stainless steel welding electrodes are the cornerstone in high-demand applications such as petrochemical, metallurgy, water supply and drainage, food processing, and construction sectors. Their unmatched corrosion resistance and reliability set the industry standard for safe and durable stainless steel joining. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into technical, application, and market perspectives to help industry professionals make informed, data-driven decisions for their next project.
Industry Trends & Market Outlook for aws e308
According to MarketsandMarkets™, the global stainless steel welding consumables market reached USD 3.14 billion in 2023, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% through 2030. aws e308 electrodes account for over 25% of all stainless welding rod consumption, mostly in infrastructure, petrochemical, power generation, and shipbuilding.
Key trends include:
- Heightened demand for austenitic stainless steel joints in corrosive and high-temperature environments.
- Rising adoption of robotic and automated welding with aws e308 for consistent weld quality.
- Stringent compliance with ISO 2560, ANSI/AWS A5.4, and even FDA standards in critical applications.
- Increased use in modular construction and water treatment, driven by aging infrastructure upgrades.
Technical Parameters of aws e308: Full Data Table
Parameter |
Specification |
Standard/Reference |
Product Name |
aws e308, E308L |
AWS A5.4:2012 |
Typical Chemistry (wt%) |
19.5–22.0 Cr, 9.0–11.0 Ni, ≤0.08 C, ≤2.0 Mn, ≤1.0 Si |
ISO 3581 |
Welding Positions |
All (1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G) |
AWS/ANSI |
Diameter (mm) |
2.5, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0 |
ANSI/AWS A5.4 |
Tensile Strength (MPa) |
≥ 570 |
ISO 2560:2020 |
Yield Strength (MPa) |
≥ 410 |
ISO 2560:2020 |
Elongation (%) |
≥ 30 |
ISO 2560:2020 |
Corrosion Resistance |
Excellent (ASTM G48, G150 test passed) |
ASTM Standard |
Impact Value (J at -20°C) |
≥ 47 |
ISO 148 |
Applicable Standards |
ISO 14343, AWS A5.4, CE, ISO 9001:2015 certified |
International |
Application Industries |
Petrochemical, Metallurgy, Water & Sewage, Construction, Shipbuilding |
Market survey |
Typical Diffusible Hydrogen (ml/100g) |
<5 |
AWS/ISO |
Service Life (avg.) |
Over 15 years for welded joints in moderate environments |
Field test data (2018–2023) |
Figure 1. Chemical composition breakdown of aws e308 (average wt%)
Production Flowchart: Manufacturing Process of aws e308 Welding Electrodes
Raw Material Selection
Stainless wire rods, rutile, silica, lime; All ISO/ANSI certified sources
Wire Drawing
Precision multi-stage drawing to 2.5–5.0mm diameter (CNC-controlled)
Mixing & Extrusion
Powder flux blending, high-shear mixing, extrusion onto wire core
Drying & Baking
Controlled oven at 320°C, moisture ≤0.15% (ISO 544)
Quality Inspection
X-ray, tensile, bending, and corrosion testing
(ISO 9001/ISO 2560 standards)
Packing & Labeling
Environmental protective, batch-coded packaging, CE compliant
Material & Craft Excellence: aws e308 Product Details
- Material: Austenitic stainless steel, typically 1.4301/1.4307 grade; high purity (ISO 14343-19)
- Manufacturing: CNC wire drawing, precision extrusion of flux coating, oven-baked for moisture control, automated non-destructive inspection
- Detection: Automated X-ray, ultrasonic, tensile, bend, impact, and corrosion-immersion tests
- Corrosion Resistance: Proven pass in ASTM G48 pitting and G150 intergranular corrosion tests
- ISO/ANSI/FDA Compliance: All critical steps documented, full batch traceability ensured
- Service Life: Welded joints with aws e308 have field-proven durability over 15 years in moderate chemical environments
- Industries Served: Petrochemical, water supply, desalination, pulp & paper, food-grade pipelines, transport, power
How aws e308 Excels: Technical Advantages & Industry Certification
- Universal Weldability: Suitable for all positions (ASME IX qualified)
- Low Carbon ( Minimizes intergranular carbide precipitation, ideal for piping subject to chloride stress
- High Ductility: ≥30% elongation enables stress absorption and vibration resistance
- Corrosion Resistivity: Resilient even against cyclic brine spray, wet chlorine, and weak acid/alkali (FDA-compliant welds for food processing)
- Quality Assurance: Each batch is audited under ISO 9001:2015, with test reports available
- Certifications: CE, ISO, AWS/ANSI, accepted by Shell, Sinopec, Total, and Saudi Aramco on major projects
Comparative Data: aws e308 vs E316L & E309L
Figure 2. Performance Metrics Comparison among Popular Stainless Steel Electrodes
Electrode |
Tensile (MPa) |
Impact (J, -20°C) |
Corrosion Resistance (ASTM 1–5) |
Applications |
aws e308 |
≥ 570 |
47 |
5 (Excellent) |
General AISI 304/304L, tanks, pipelines (not for molybdenum alloys) |
E316L |
≥ 560 |
42 |
4 (Excellent/Good) |
Where enhanced acid resistance needed (Mo bearing), food & chemical tanks |
E309L |
≥ 580 |
45 |
4 (Good) |
Dissimilar metal welds, buffer layers |
Customization & Solutions: Configuring aws e308 for Your Industry
- Sizes & Packing: Diameters 2.5/3.2/4.0/5.0mm, length 350/400mm; 5kg/box to 20kg/carton, custom packing on request.
- Special Alloys: Customized alloying for enhanced pitting/crevice corrosion, low-silicon/low-ferrite types for hygiene industries.
- Third Party Testing: SGS, BV, or Lloyd's test/certification provided for critical government or EPC projects.
- Weld Procedures: WPS/PQR per ASME IX or ISO 15614, technical on-site training available on request.
- Global Delivery: Door-to-door service for over 55 countries, with localized warehousing in EU/SEA/MEA.
Application Case: aws e308 In Action
Case: Upgrading Water Treatment Facilities, Southeast Asia (2022–2023)
- Client: Multinational EPC Contractor (ISO 14001 certified)
- Scope: 50 km of stainless steel piping for water transmission mains
- Material: E308L electrodes supplied (35,000 kg); 40 welders, 2 robotic lines
- Performance: aws e308 welds passed all EN 10217 and FDA migration tests, with 0% weld rejection, excellent penetration, and >99.8% X-ray exam pass rate
- Longevity: Designed for >25 years' service, with full warranty, no visible signs of corrosion after 16 months on-site
- Feedback: Customer quoted: “Consistently high-quality electrodes with minimal spatter—impressive for large-diameter welding.”
* Reference: End-user operation report submitted to International Water Works Federation, Jan 2024
Figure 3. Expected Service Life (Years) of aws e308 Welded Joints in Different Industrial Scenarios
Delivery, Warranty & Customer Support
- Delivery: Standard 7–12 days for FCL orders, immediate shipment for ex-stock items
- Warranty: 24 months from shipment, full replacement for proven non-compliance
- After-Sales Support: Free technical hotline, on-site weld inspection support (regions covered: Asia, Middle East, EU)
- Documentation: Complete MTC, QC/QA reports, batch test data, and Certificate of Origin provided
- QA Commitment: All welds made with aws e308 can be retrospectively traced to raw materials and production batch, per ISO 9001:2015
FAQ: 7 Common Technical & Specification Questions on aws e308
1. What is the primary material composition of aws e308 electrodes?
Typically, 18–22% Chromium, 8–12% Nickel, low carbon (<0.08%), balance iron. This austenitic composition offers top-tier corrosion resistance per ISO 14343.
2. What diameter and lengths are available?
aws e308 electrodes are mainly produced in 2.5, 3.2, 4.0, and 5.0 mm diameters; length options include 300, 350, and 400 mm, suitable for SMAW/MMA processes.
3. Are these electrodes compatible with food-grade pipelines?
Yes. Provided E308L low carbon variant is chosen, certified per FDA and EN 10217 hygiene standards, with traceability documentation supplied.
4. What is the typical deposition rate and current range?
Deposition rates: 90–120 g/min for Ø3.2 mm at 100–130A (DC+ or AC). Higher rates possible for automatic/robotic applications.
5. Which standards do aws e308 products conform to?
They conform to AWS A5.4:2012, ISO 3581, ISO 14343, and are often supplied with CE, SGS, and BV certifications upon request.
6. What is the maximum allowable service temperature?
Recommended up to 300°C continuous, max short-term 360°C for welded joints. Beyond this, select E309L/E310 types.
7. How are moisture and hydrogen content controlled?
Stringent baking (320°C, ≥2 hrs), vacuum packaging, and humidity-controlled storage ensure ≤0.15% moisture and <5 ml/100g diffusible hydrogen (per EN 10248, ISO 544).
Why Trust Supply Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes aws e308 E308L?
- Over 22 years' industry supply: Supporting global EPC, OEM, and project contractors
- Accredited Manufacturer: ISO 9001:2015 certified, CE, SGS, and Bureau Veritas audited batches
- Major References: Shell, Sinopec, Mubadala, Hydroworks, Veolia, Asahi
- Transparent Data: Attack and endurance test results from third-party labs available on request
- Pro-active Support: 24/7 expert technical and application engineering team
Order & Contact
- Order Online: aws e308 product page
- Email: export@jinlongweldingelectrode.com | WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 138 6967 1718
- Sample Policy: Free samples for project approvals (postage at cost)
- OEM/ODM: White label and private branding available
References & Further Reading:
- International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping: “Effect of Electrode Composition on Welded Stainless Joints”,
source
- Welding Journal (AWS): 2023 Stainless Steel Consumables Market Trends,
source
- Engineering Toolbox: Stainless Steel Welding Data Sheets,
source
- WeldingWeb Industry Forum: User Experiences with
aws e308,
source