ER316L Marine & Chemical Stainless MIG & TIG Wire
Molybdenum-bearing stainless wire for marine, chemical processing, and chloride-exposed applications. Runs 40 to 200 amps on DCEP or DCEN, rated for flat, horizontal, vertical up, overhead. Amperage chart by diameter below.
ER316L is a low-carbon molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel wire classified under AWS A5.9 for MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW) welding. It deposits approximately 18% chromium, 12% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. The molybdenum provides superior resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments compared to ER308L. The low carbon content (0.03% max) prevents sensitization and maintains corrosion resistance in the heat-affected zone. ER316L is specified whenever welding 316 or 316L stainless base metal, particularly for marine hardware, chemical tanks, pharmaceutical vessels, and food processing equipment. For MIG, use 98Ar/2CO2 or tri-mix shielding gas. Never use 75/25 Ar/CO2 as the high CO2 causes carbon pickup. For TIG, use 100% argon with back purge.
What This Means in Practice
ER316L is the wire version of E316L-16. The 2% molybdenum content provides pitting corrosion resistance in chloride environments. Use it with MIG or TIG equipment to weld 316/316L stainless steel in marine, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical process applications.
What Amps for ER316L?
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| 0.030" (0.8 mm) | 40 - 150A |
| 0.035" (0.9 mm) | 60 - 200A |
| 0.045" (1.2 mm) | 100 - 300A |
| 1/16" (TIG) (1.6 mm) | 60 - 130A |
| 3/32" (TIG) (2.4 mm) | 100 - 200A |
Amperage by Individual Diameter
0.030 ER316L Amperage
Set 0.030 ER316L to 40 - 150 amps. Run DCEP or DCEN. This is the smallest available size. Best for vertical-up and overhead where you need a small, controllable puddle. Start around 95A.
0.035 ER316L Amperage
Set 0.035 ER316L to 60 - 200 amps. Run DCEP or DCEN. This is the most commonly used ER316L size. Start at 130A for flat work, drop to 60-117A for vertical-up.
0.045 ER316L Amperage
Set 0.045 ER316L to 100 - 300 amps. Run DCEP or DCEN. Sized for vertical and overhead joints. Stay in the 100-200A range and keep the puddle small.
1/16 (TIG) ER316L Amperage
Set 1/16 (TIG) ER316L to 60 - 130 amps. Run DCEP or DCEN. Built for flat and horizontal production. Back off 10-15A from 130 if the bead crowns.
3/32 (TIG) ER316L Amperage
Set 3/32 (TIG) ER316L to 100 - 200 amps. Run DCEP or DCEN. Largest available diameter. High deposition for flat and horizontal fillet welds on thick plate. Requires 100A minimum to run properly.
ER316L Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
What Is ER316L Good For?
Use ER316L when welding 316 or 316L stainless steel base metal with MIG or TIG.
Required for marine fabrication, chemical processing, pharmaceutical equipment, food service, and any chloride-exposure application.
The molybdenum content is what differentiates this from ER308L.
Where ER316L Falls Short
Not for carbon steel.
More expensive than ER308L.
Overkill for 304/304L applications without chloride exposure.
Requires proper shielding gas selection.
Do not use 75/25 Ar/CO2 as it will pick up carbon and defeat the low-carbon L designation.
Welding With ER316L
What You Hear and See
Smooth, stable arc identical to ER308L in feel. The molybdenum content does not change arc characteristics. Runs clean on TIG with argon and on MIG with 98/2 Ar/CO2.
Running It
Same as ER308L. MIG: push at 15 degrees. TIG: standard dab technique. Keep interpass temperature below 350F. Move faster than carbon steel to avoid overheating.
Puddle and Slag
Bright, fluid puddle indistinguishable from ER308L during welding. The molybdenum only matters in service, not during welding. The bead should finish straw-colored or lighter.
If You Are Struggling
Same rules as ER308L apply. Match the wire to the base metal grade. ER316L for 316/316L stainless. ER308L for 304/304L stainless. Using the wrong match is a corrosion risk, not a welding risk.
ER316L Size by Material Thickness
| Wire Size | Material Thickness | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 0.030" | 22 ga to 1/8" | Thin 316 stainless MIG and TIG |
| 0.035" | 1/8" to 1/4" | Standard 316 MIG fabrication |
| 1/16" | 1/16" to 1/8" | TIG on thin 316 tubing |
What the Spec Sheet Leaves Out
ER316L is ER308L with molybdenum added for pitting resistance in chloride environments. If the base metal is 316 stainless, the filler must be ER316L. Using ER308L on 316 is a common mistake that shows up months later as pitting corrosion in exactly the environment the customer specified 316 to resist. Marine, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing all spec 316. Match the filler.
Bottom Line
Use ER316L for sheet work. Need something different? Look at ER308L.
Setup & Safety Reference
How to Store ER316L
Store sealed in original packaging. Keep dry and free of contaminants.
Shielding Gas for ER316L
| Gas Mix | Common Name | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 98% Ar / 2% CO2 | Stainless MIG mix | MIG welding 316/316L stainless. |
| 100% Argon | Argon | TIG welding. Standard. |
| 90% He / 7.5% Ar / 2.5% CO2 | Tri-mix | MIG. Improved penetration on heavy gauge. |
Molybdenum-bearing wire. Same gas rules as ER308L. Never use high-CO2 mixes.
Preheat & Interpass Temperature for ER316L
Preheat is generally not required for austenitic stainless steel. Excessive preheat can cause sensitization and reduce corrosion resistance.
| Base Metal Thickness | Minimum Preheat (°F) |
|---|---|
| all thicknesses | Not required |
Maximum interpass temperature: 350°F
Shielding gas flow rate: 20-30 CFH
Source: AWS D1.6
Wire Feed Speed for ER316L
Use 98/2 Ar/CO2 or tri-mix shielding gas. WFS ranges are similar to ER308L. ER316L adds molybdenum for corrosion resistance but does not change feed characteristics.
| Diameter | Amperage | Wire Feed Speed (IPM) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.030" | 60-140A | 200-500 IPM |
| 0.035" | 80-200A | 180-450 IPM |
| 0.045" | 120-280A | 140-350 IPM |
Deposition Rates
| Diameter | Deposition Rate |
|---|---|
| 0.030" | 2-4 lbs/hr |
| 0.035" | 3-5 lbs/hr |
| 0.045" | 4-8 lbs/hr |
Fume Generation
Rating: Low
Typical fume rate: 0.2-0.5 g/min
Low fume volume but hexavalent chromium hazard. OSHA PEL: 5 ug/m3 for Cr(VI).
Common Brand Names for ER316L
Look for Lincoln Electric Blue Max 316L at your supplier. 3 companies produce ER316L-classified rods.
| Manufacturer | Product Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Electric | Blue Max 316L | |
| Hobart | Hobart 316L | |
| ESAB | OK Autrod 316L |
Full Specs
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | ER316L |
| Process | Stainless MIG/TIG (GMAW) |
| Polarity | DCEP, DCEN |
| Positions | flat, horizontal, vertical up, overhead |
| Penetration | medium |
| Coating Type | bare wire |
| Tensile Strength | 75,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 55,000 psi |
| Elongation | 35% |
| Base Metals | 316 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, 316Ti stainless steel |
| Shielding Gas | 98% Ar / 2% CO2, 100% Argon, 90% He / 7.5% Ar / 2.5% CO2 |
| Gas Flow Rate | 20-30 CFH |
| Max Interpass Temp | 350°F |
| AWS Specification | AWS A5.9/A5.9M:2017 (R2022) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ER316L and ER308L?
ER316L contains approximately 2% molybdenum, which provides significantly better resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride environments. ER308L has no molybdenum. Use ER316L when welding 316/316L base metal or when the weld will be exposed to saltwater, chemicals, or chlorides. Use ER308L for 304/304L stainless in non-chloride environments.
Can I use 75/25 Ar/CO2 gas with ER316L?
No. The 25% CO2 causes excessive carbon pickup into the weld deposit, which defeats the purpose of the low-carbon L designation. High carbon in the weld promotes carbide precipitation and reduces corrosion resistance. Use 98Ar/2CO2 or tri-mix (90He/7.5Ar/2.5CO2) for MIG welding, or 100% argon for TIG.
Do I need to back purge when TIG welding with ER316L?
Yes, back purging with argon is strongly recommended when TIG welding 316L stainless, especially on pipe or tubing. Without a back purge, the root side of the weld oxidizes (sugaring), which destroys corrosion resistance at the most critical point of the joint. Use aluminum tape or silicone plugs to seal the pipe and flow argon through the inside during welding.
Where to Buy ER316L
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Manufacturer Data Sheets
External links to standards bodies and manufacturers. These leave GageRef.
Reference data only. Verify all settings against manufacturer documentation and the applicable welding code before use. Amperage ranges are starting points that vary by position, fit-up, and material. Welding involves serious injury risks including burns, electric shock, fume exposure, and fire. This site does not replace proper training, certification, or employer safety procedures. See full terms of use.
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.