E7018 vs ER308L: 35% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
E7018 vs ER308L
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
E7018
The world's most widely used low-hydrogen SMAW (stick) welding electrode. Iron powder + calcium fluoride coating produces smooth, easy-to-control arc with minimal spatter and easy slag removal. Low hydrogen designation prevents hydrogen-induced cracking in structural joints. All-position welding (1 = flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead). AC or DCEP. Minimum 480 MPa tensile strength. Must be stored in heated ovens (250-300°F) to prevent moisture pickup. Used for structural steel, bridges, buildings, pressure vessels, and all code-compliant fabrication per AWS D1.1.
ER308L
Low-carbon austenitic stainless steel welding wire — the standard filler for joining 304 and 304L stainless steels. The L (low carbon ≤0.03%) prevents sensitization and intergranular corrosion in the heat-affected zone. Used for TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) with pure argon or Ar/CO2 shielding. Produces fully austenitic-ferritic weld metal with 5-15 FN (Ferrite Number) for crack resistance. Used for food processing equipment, chemical tanks, pharmaceutical vessels, and architectural stainless fabrication.
| E7018 | ER308L | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Welding | Welding |
| Standard | AWS A5.1 | AWS A5.9 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | E7018 | ER308L | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.03% | OK |
| Si | ≤ 0.75% | 0.3–0.65% | OK |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6% | 1–2.5% | Partial |
| P | ≤ 0.04% | ≤ 0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | E7018 | ER308L | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | ≥ 480 | ≥ 520 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 400 | ≥ 320 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 22 | ≥ 35 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
E7018 and ER308L have significantly different compositions (35% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E7018 the same as ER308L?
E7018 and ER308L have a 35% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace E7018 with ER308L?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (35% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between E7018 and ER308L?
The main differences are in the following elements: Mn, Cr, Ni. E7018 is a Welding grade, while ER308L 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.