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ER308L Stainless Steel TIG Welding Rod .045" (5kg Tube)

$58.46/kg $182.70/5kg tube only $36.54/kgSave 37%

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OVERVIEW

Smooth Performance for Stainless Fabrication

When you are under the hood welding stainless steel, you need a filler rod that flows consistently and leaves a bead you can be proud of. Our ER308L .045" TIG Rods are the go-to choice for fabricators working with the most common stainless grade—304. Whether you are welding up a custom exhaust, repairing a kitchen counter, or fabricating sanitary piping, this rod delivers the butter-smooth feed and stable arc you expect from high-quality consumables. The .045-inch diameter is versatile enough for thin sheet metal work while still carrying enough metal for slightly heavier root passes.

One of the biggest headaches in stainless welding is dealing with corrosion later down the line. Because these rods are the 'L' grade (Low Carbon), they help protect your work from intergranular corrosion, meaning your welds stay strong and rust-free even in tough conditions. The rod melts cleanly with minimal spatter, giving you a puddle that is easy to control. This allows for that classic 'stack of dimes' look that every TIG welder strives for. The high silicon content helps the metal wet out nicely at the edges, reducing the chance of undercut and making your post-weld cleanup much faster.

We know that keeping your filler metal clean is half the battle in TIG welding. That is why these rods come in a sturdy 5kg tube that protects them from shop dust, dirt, and moisture. No more wiping down every single rod with acetone just to get a clean start. The 39-inch length is standard for the industry, giving you plenty of reach without being unwieldy. Grab a tube of ER308L and experience the difference a quality filler makes in your daily fabrication tasks.

Why Fabricators Choose This Rod

  • Clean Puddle: Formulated to reduce impurities and porosity.
  • Great Color Match: Polishes up to match 304 stainless perfectly.
  • Easy Feeding: Straight lengths feed smoothly through your fingers.
  • Versatile: Works on DCEN with standard Argon setups.
Additional Information
AWS Spec:ER308L
Diameter:0.045 in
Grade:308
Packaging:5 kg Tube
Weld Process:TIG (GTAW)
Material Composition:Stainless Steel
Length:39 in
Shielding Gas Requirement:100% Argon
Polarity:DCEN
Alloy Type:Austenitic Stainless Steel
Packaging Description:5kg tube
Brand:Bonarc

INCLUDED

  • 5 kg Tube of ER308L .045" TIG Rods (39" Length)

APPLICATIONS

  • Food and beverage processing equipment fabrication
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical storage tanks
  • Architectural stainless steel structures
  • Automotive exhaust systems and headers
  • General maintenance and repair of 304 stainless steel
  • Cryogenic piping systems

FAQ

For TIG welding with ER308L, 100% Argon is the standard and recommended shielding gas. It provides excellent arc stability and cleaning action. For specific penetration requirements, helium mixtures can be used, but pure Argon is best for general use.

Yes, ER308L is the ideal filler metal for welding 304 and 304L stainless steels. The 'L' stands for low carbon, which matches the 304L base metal properties and prevents corrosion issues.

This rod is designed for use with Direct Current Electrode Negative (DCEN), also known as straight polarity. This concentrates the heat in the work piece for deep penetration.

The .045" (1.14mm) diameter is a great middle-ground size. It is thin enough for delicate sheet metal work (16-18 gauge) but substantial enough to add fill for root passes on slightly thicker pipe or plate.

The primary difference is carbon content. ER308L has a maximum carbon content of 0.03%, whereas ER308 can have up to 0.08%. The lower carbon in 'L' grades prevents carbide precipitation, which preserves corrosion resistance in the heat-affected zone.

While these rods come clean in the tube, it is always good practice in TIG welding to wipe the rod down with a clean rag and acetone before use to remove any surface oils or dust that could cause porosity.

No, ER308L is not recommended for joining mild steel to stainless steel. For dissimilar metal welding (mild to stainless), you should use an ER309L filler rod to prevent cracking.

The count varies by diameter, but for .045" rods, a 5kg tube contains a significant quantity, typically several hundred rods, making it a long-lasting supply for most job shops.