E316L-16 vs E7018-1 H4R: 16% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
E316L-16 vs E7018-1 H4R
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
E316L-16
Rutile-coated austenitic stainless steel SMAW electrode matching 316L (1.4404). 18.5% Cr, 12% Ni, 2.5% Mo, max 0.03% C. Smooth arc, fine ripple bead, easy slag removal. AC or DCEP. For welding 316, 316L and similar Mo-bearing austenitics in food/pharma/chemical processing. Resistant to intergranular corrosion after welding. Used for tanks, vessels, piping and equipment in contact with acids, chlorides and process media.
E7018-1 H4R
Low-hydrogen basic coated SMAW electrode with enhanced toughness (-45°C) and moisture-resistant coating (H4R designation = max 4ml H₂/100g, moisture-resistant). The premium structural steel electrode for critical applications: bridges, high-rise buildings, offshore structures, pressure vessels (ASME Section IX) and seismic-resistant frames. 70 ksi (485 MPa) tensile strength. AC or DCEP. The "-1" suffix indicates 27J impact at -45°C. H4R coating resists moisture pickup for 9+ hours after removal from hermetically sealed packaging.
| E316L-16 | E7018-1 H4R | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Welding | Welding |
| Standard | AWS A5.4 | AWS A5.1 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | E316L-16 | E7018-1 H4R | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.08% | OK |
| Si | ≤ 0.9% | 0.3–0.6% | OK |
| Mn | ≤ 2.5% | 1–1.6% | OK |
| P | — | ≤ 0.025% | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | E316L-16 | E7018-1 H4R | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 490 | ≥ 485 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 320 | ≥ 400 | MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 30 | ≥ 22 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
E316L-16 and E7018-1 H4R have significantly different compositions (16% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E316L-16 the same as E7018-1 H4R?
E316L-16 and E7018-1 H4R have a 16% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace E316L-16 with E7018-1 H4R?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (16% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between E316L-16 and E7018-1 H4R?
The main differences are in the following elements: Cr, Mo, Ni. E316L-16 is a Welding grade, while E7018-1 H4R is a Welding grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.