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63063200 - Bonarc ER308L Stainless TIG Filler Rod 3.2mm - 5kg Tube

Packaging: 5kg tube
$45.10/kg $140.95/5kg tube only $28.19/kgSave 37%

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OVERVIEW

Premium Bonarc ER308L Stainless Steel TIG Rods (3.2mm)

The Bonarc ER308L TIG Rod is a high-performance austenitic stainless steel filler metal designed for critical welding applications requiring superior corrosion resistance and mechanical integrity. This 3.2mm (1/8") diameter rod is specifically engineered for joining 18% Chromium - 8% Nickel base metals, including AISI 301, 302, 304, 305, and 308. The "L" designation indicates an extra-low carbon content (maximum 0.03%), which is crucial for preventing carbide precipitation during the welding process. This feature significantly reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion, making this rod an excellent choice for structures and components that will not undergo post-weld heat treatment.

Manufactured to meet stringent AWS A5.9 specifications, Bonarc ER308L ensures consistent chemistry and physical properties across every batch. The 3.2mm diameter provides the necessary deposition rate for welding thicker sections of stainless steel plate, structural supports, and heavy-wall piping. It is widely utilized in industries such as chemical processing, food and beverage manufacturing, and pharmaceutical equipment fabrication where sanitary and corrosion-resistant welds are mandatory. The rod exhibits excellent toughness at cryogenic temperatures, further expanding its application range to include low-temperature service environments.

Welders using the Bonarc ER308L will appreciate the controlled silicon content, which enhances the fluidity of the weld pool (wetting action) and promotes a flat, smooth bead profile with minimal need for post-weld grinding. The rod is designed for use with 100% Argon shielding gas on DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative) polarity, providing a stable arc and deep penetration. Packaged in a durable 5kg tube, these 1000mm cut lengths are protected from moisture and contamination, ensuring they arrive ready for high-quality fabrication tasks. Whether for maintenance repair operations (MRO) or new construction, Bonarc ER308L delivers the reliability professional fabricators demand.

Additional Information
Packaging:10lb tube, 5kg tube
Polarity:DC+, DCEN
Material Composition:18% Chromium, 8% Nickel, Stainless Steel
Alloy Type:Austenitic Stainless Steel
Shielding Gas Requirement:100% Argon
Current Type:DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative)
Tensile Strength:~87,000 PSI (600 MPa)
----- new values below ----
Material Composition:Stainless Steel, 18% Chromium, 8% Nickel
Alloy Type:Austenitic Stainless Steel
Shielding Gas Requirement:100% Argon
Rod Length:1000mm
Current Type:DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative)
Tensile Strength:~87,000 PSI (600 MPa)
Elongation:40%
brand:BONARC
aws-spec:ER308L
diameter:3.2mm
grade:308
packaging:5kg tube
packaging-description:5kg tube
weld-process:TIG
polarity:DCEN

INCLUDED

  • 5kg Tube of Bonarc ER308L TIG Rods (3.2mm diameter)
  • Protective storage tube with resealable cap
  • Batch identification label

APPLICATIONS

  • Food and beverage processing equipment manufacturing
  • Chemical and petrochemical storage tanks
  • Pharmaceutical equipment fabrication
  • Architectural stainless steel structures
  • General fabrication of 304 and 304L stainless steels
  • Cryogenic vessels and piping
  • Automotive exhaust systems and headers

FAQ

The 'L' stands for Low Carbon. ER308L has a maximum carbon content of 0.03%, whereas standard ER308 can have up to 0.08%. The lower carbon content in ER308L prevents carbide precipitation, which reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion, making it superior for applications where post-weld heat treatment is not possible.

You should use 100% Argon gas for TIG welding with ER308L rods. Argon provides the necessary inert atmosphere to protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric contamination without reacting with the stainless steel.

It is not recommended. While it might physically join the metals, ER308L does not contain Molybdenum, which gives 316 stainless its superior corrosion resistance. For welding 316 or 316L, you should use an ER316L filler rod to match the base metal properties.

Bonarc ER308L TIG rods are designed to be used with DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative), also known as Straight Polarity. This setting concentrates the heat on the work piece for better penetration.

No, ER308L is designed for joining stainless to stainless (specifically 300 series). If you need to weld mild steel to stainless steel, you should use an ER309L filler rod, which is formulated to handle the dilution between dissimilar metals.

The number of rods varies slightly by batch, but for 3.2mm diameter rods, a 5kg tube typically contains approximately 100 to 110 rods, assuming a standard length of 1000mm.

For welding stainless steel with ER308L, 2% Lanthanated (Blue) or 2% Ceriated (Grey) tungsten electrodes are excellent choices. They offer good arc starting and stability on DC current.

For full penetration welds on stainless steel pipe or plate, a backing gas (purge) of 100% Argon is highly recommended to prevent 'sugaring' (oxidation) on the back side of the weld, which destroys corrosion resistance.