ER308L Stainless Wire: MIG & TIG Settings for 304 Stainless Steel
ER308L Amperage by Diameter
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| .030" (0.8 mm) | 40 - 140A |
| .035" (0.9 mm) | 60 - 200A |
| .045" (1.1 mm) | 100 - 300A |
ER308L is the standard solid wire for MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW) welding on 304 and 304L austenitic stainless steel. The L designation means low carbon (0.03% max), which prevents intergranular corrosion in the heat-affected zone. For MIG, it runs with 98% Argon / 2% CO2 or tri-mix shielding gas. For TIG, it uses pure argon. The wire produces clean, bright weld beads with excellent corrosion resistance matching the base metal. This is the most commonly used stainless filler wire in food service, pharmaceutical, dairy, chemical, and architectural applications.
What This Means in Practice
ER308L means: ER (electrode rod, usable as MIG wire or TIG filler) + 308 (308 stainless chemistry) + L (low carbon, 0.03% max). The ER prefix means it works for both MIG and TIG, unlike E-prefix stick rods.
ER308L Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
When to Use ER308L
MIG or TIG welding on 304 and 304L stainless steel. Food processing equipment, kitchen fabrication, dairy piping, chemical tanks, architectural railings, pharmaceutical equipment.
Any application needing stainless filler that matches 304 base metal corrosion resistance.
ER308L Limitations
Only for 304/304L base metal. Do not use on 316 (use ER316L) or dissimilar joints (use ER309L).
MIG on stainless requires tri-mix or 98/2 gas, standard 75/25 Ar/CO2 causes excessive oxidation.
Lower travel speeds than carbon steel MIG due to heat management.
Wire costs significantly more than carbon steel equivalents.
ER308L Storage Requirements
Standard dry storage. Keep sealed to prevent surface oxidation.
ER308L Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | ER308L |
| Process | MIG Welding (GMAW) |
| Polarity | DCEP |
| Positions | flat, horizontal, vertical up, overhead |
| Penetration | medium |
| Coating Type | solid wire |
| Tensile Strength | 75,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 55,000 psi |
| Elongation | 35% |
| Base Metals | 304 stainless steel, 304L stainless steel, 301 stainless steel, 302 stainless steel |
| Shielding Gas | 98% Argon / 2% CO2 (MIG) or 100% Argon (TIG) |
| AWS Specification | A5.9 |
ER308L Questions
Is ER308L for MIG or TIG?
Both. ER308L is used as MIG wire (GMAW) and TIG filler rod (GTAW) for stainless steel. The same alloy composition works for both processes.
What gas for ER308L MIG welding?
Use a tri-mix (90% He, 7.5% Ar, 2.5% CO2) or 98% Ar / 2% CO2 for stainless MIG welding. Pure argon works for TIG. Do not use 75/25 (Ar/CO2) as the high CO2 content causes carbon pickup in stainless.
What is the difference between ER308L and E308L-16?
ER308L is a bare wire for MIG and TIG welding. E308L-16 is a coated stick electrode for SMAW. Same base alloy, different form factors for different processes.
Where to Buy ER308L
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External Resources
Manufacturer data sheets and standards for ER308L.
Data sourced from AWS A5.9/A5.9M. Amperage ranges are approximate starting points. adjust based on position, fit-up, and material thickness. Always follow manufacturer recommendations and applicable codes.