S522512-I26 - SelectAlloy 308L Stainless Steel MIG Wire, 0.045 in, 30 lb Spool

Technical Overview of Select-Arc ER308L Stainless Steel MIG Wire

The Select-Arc ER308L is a premium austenitic stainless steel welding wire designed for the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) process. This consumable is formulated to meet AWS A5.9 specifications, ensuring consistent chemistry and mechanical properties. The "L" designation indicates an extra-low carbon content (maximum 0.03%), which is critical for preventing carbide precipitation during the welding process. This feature significantly enhances the weld metal's resistance to intergranular corrosion, making it the preferred choice for welding 18Cr-8Ni steels such as AISI Types 301, 302, 304, 304L, and 308.

With a diameter of 0.045 inches, this wire is engineered for industrial applications requiring higher deposition rates and deeper penetration compared to thinner gauge wires. It is suitable for single and multiple pass welding operations. The alloy composition typically includes 19.5-22.0% Chromium and 9.0-11.0% Nickel, providing excellent strength and ductility. The wire is wound on a 30lb spool, optimized for continuous manufacturing environments where downtime for spool changes must be minimized.

Metallurgically, the ER308L deposit exhibits a ferrite number (FN) that balances crack resistance with corrosion performance. It is particularly effective for joining dissimilar 300-series stainless steels and is often utilized in cryogenic applications due to its toughness at low temperatures. The wire surface is processed to ensure smooth feeding through standard MIG gun liners, reducing micro-arcing and contact tip wear.

Key Technical Specifications

• Classification: AWS A5.9 ER308/ER308L


• Diameter: 0.045" (1.2mm)


• Current/Polarity: DCEP (Direct Current Electrode Positive)


• Shielding Gas: Argon/Oxygen (1-2%) or Argon/CO2 (2-5%) mixtures recommended


• Tensile Strength: Typically 85,000 PSI (depending on gas and parameters)