316LSI045 - ER316LSi Stainless Steel MIG Welding Wire, .045 in, 33 lb Spool

Industrial Grade ER316LSi Stainless Steel MIG Wire

The Central Wire ER316LSi .045-inch MIG welding wire is a premium consumable designed for high-demand industrial fabrication environments. Packaged on a 33lb spool, this solid wire is engineered to meet the rigorous standards of AWS A5.9, ensuring consistent chemical composition and mechanical properties. The "LSi" designation indicates a modification to the standard 316L analysis: it retains the extra-low carbon content (0.03% maximum) to prevent carbide precipitation and intergranular corrosion, while increasing the silicon content (0.65-1.00%).

From a metallurgical perspective, the higher silicon content serves as a deoxidizer and significantly improves the fluidity of the molten weld pool. This results in superior wetting action, allowing the bead to tie in smoothly at the toes, which is critical for fatigue resistance and sanitary applications where crevices must be minimized. The alloy also contains Molybdenum (2.0-3.0%), which provides enhanced resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, particularly in chloride-containing environments such as marine atmospheres or chemical processing plants.

This wire is specifically formulated for joining type 316 and 316L base metals but can also be used for 304/304L stainless steels where higher corrosion resistance is required. It is an ideal choice for the fabrication of pressure vessels, storage tanks, and piping systems in the pulp and paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries. The .045-inch diameter allows for higher deposition rates compared to thinner wires, making it suitable for medium-to-heavy gauge materials and multi-pass welding procedures. The wire is precision layer-wound to ensure consistent feedability and electrical contact, reducing downtime associated with liner clogging or burn-backs.