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E330-16 Stainless Steel Welding Electrode Supplier & Stockist in Mumbai
Nicorex Alloys is a Mumbai-based importer and stockist of speciality welding consumables. We supply E330-16 electrodes classified under AWS A5.4 / ASME SFA 5.4, as per ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification and EN 10204/3.1B mill test certificates
E330-16 is a rutile-coated, fully austenitic SMAW electrode for welding AISI 330, HT-series castings and similar 35Ni-15Cr high-temperature alloys. Its deposits carry ~15.4% Cr, 34.1% Ni and 0.18-0.25% C for creep strength. Typical properties include 85,000-97,000 psi tensile strength, ~56,500 psi yield strength and about ~27% elongation. The weld metal is fully austenitic (FN 0), so low heat input is essential to avoid solidification cracking. Available Diameters (2.4, 3.2, 4.0 and 4.8 mm (3/32″, 1/8″, 5/32″, 3/16″) in 350 mm (14″) length). Usable in all welding positions on AC or DCEP. For furnace parts like internals, radiant tubes, and heat-treatment fixtures that run continuously above 980°C (1800°F), the E330-16 welding electrode is a go-to choice for joining and repairing high-temperature austenitic stainless steels.
Key base metals include AISI 330 (N08330), RA 330® wrought alloy, and HT/HU-series castings, all assigned to ASME P-No. 45. An EN ISO 3581-A approximate equivalent is E 15 35 R 1 2. Primary industries served are heat treatment, petrochemical furnaces, cement kilns, steel mills and power generation equipment.
E330-16 Welding Electrode Specifications & Standards
The following technical specifications and code classifications apply to E330-16 stainless steel coated electrodes for SMAW applications:
| AWS Classification | E330-16 |
|---|---|
| ASME SFA Specification | SFA 5.4 |
| UNS Number | W33010 |
| Welding Process | SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) |
| Coating Type | Rutile (Titania-based, -16 designation) |
| Polarity / Current | AC or DCEP (DC Electrode Positive) |
| Welding Positions | All positions (F, V, OH, H) |
| Available Diameters | 2.4 mm (3/32″), 3.2 mm (1/8″), 4.0 mm (5/32″), 4.8 mm (3/16″) |
| Standard Electrode Length | 350 mm (14″) |
| Deposition Efficiency | ~65% (typical for rutile-coated stainless) |
| Weld Deposit Type | Fully austenitic — non-magnetic |
| Delivery Condition | Hermetically sealed canisters or vacuum-packed cartons |
What Does E330-16 Mean? - Decoding the AWS A5.4 Classification
Welding engineers can choose the right consumable for high-temperature stainless steel applications if they know how the AWS classification works.
| Classification Component | Technical Meaning | Functional Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix “E” | Electrode | Specifically designed for electric arc welding processes. |
| Deposit “330” | Weld Deposit Type | Matches AISI 330 composition: nominally 35% Ni and 15% Cr. A high-temperature, fully austenitic stainless chemistry. |
| Suffix “-16” | Coating & Usability | Indicates a rutile (titania-based) coating. Compatible with AC or DCEP and allows for welding in all positions. |
Chemical Composition of E330-16 Weld Deposit (%)
The weld deposit chemical composition of E330-16 complies with AWS A5.4 / ASME SFA 5.4. Values represent all-weld-metal analysis, not base metal or wire chemistry.
| Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Nickel (Ni) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) | Copper (Cu) | Iron (Fe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS A5.4 Range | 0.18 – 0.25 | 14.0 – 17.0 | 33.0 – 37.0 | 1.0 – 2.5 | 0.90 max | 0.75 max | 0.04 max | 0.03 max | 0.75 max | Balance |
| Typical Deposit | 0.21 | 15.40 | 34.10 | 1.95 | 0.50 | 0.52 | 0.021 | 0.021 | — | Balance |
The deliberately elevated carbon range of 0.18–0.25% distinguishes E330-16 from low-carbon stainless electrodes. This carbon level is intentional; it provides the weld deposit with superior creep strength and resistance to thermal fatigue at temperatures above 650°C (1200°F). However, it means E330-16 deposits are NOT resistant to intergranular corrosion in aqueous environments and should not be selected for wet corrosion service. Actual deposit composition varies with welding parameters, dilution from base metal, and shielding conditions.
All-Weld-Metal Mechanical Properties of E330-16
The following mechanical properties represent all-weld-metal test results per AWS A5.4 requirements. These are properties of the weld deposit, not the base metal.
| Property | Ultimate Tensile Strength | Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | Elongation (%) | Charpy V-Notch Impact | Hardness | Ferrite Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS A5.4 Minimum | 75,000 psi (520 MPa) | Not specified | Not specified | Not applicable | — | — |
| Typical Values | 85,000–97,000 psi (586–669 MPa) | ~56,500 psi (390 MPa) | ~27% | Not typically tested (high-temp service) | ~85 HRB typical | FN 0 (fully austenitic) |
AWS A5.4 does not specify Charpy impact requirements for the E330 classification because this electrode targets high-temperature service above 650°C, not cryogenic or ambient-temperature toughness applications. The fully austenitic, zero-ferrite deposit provides excellent ductility at elevated temperatures but remains susceptible to solidification cracking if welding heat input is not carefully controlled.
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High-Temperature Welding Applications of E330-16 Electrode
Dual carburisation-oxidation resistance and high-nickel thermal stability make E330-16 the preferred SMAW electrode across 5 high-temperature industrial sectors. Each application below pairs the industry with specific component-level welding use cases.
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Heat Treatment & Industrial Furnaces:radiant tubes, muffles, retorts, burner tips, roller hearths, alloy trays, baskets and fixture jigs. Joining and repair of RA 330 wrought components and HT-series castings fall squarely in this zone.
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Petrochemical Furnaces & Reformers: Repair welding of catalytic reformer tube hangers, furnace tube supports and radiant section hangers in ethylene crackers and hydrogen reformers is a direct application.
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Cement, Glass & Ceramic Kilns: Kiln chain sections, clinker cooler grate bars, rotary kiln riding rings and glass annealing lehr rolls are repaired with E330-16 because of its thermal fatigue resistance.
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Steel Mill & Foundry Equipment: Continuous caster rolls, soaking pit covers, heat-treatment baskets, alloy grate bars and cast furnace doors (HT/HU castings) are repaired using this coated electrode.
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Power Generation: Waste-to-Energy & Biomass: Overlay and repair welding of superheater tube supports, hanger rods and boiler baffle components in waste-to-energy and biomass combustion plants use E330-16.
Base Metal Compatibility & ASME P-Number Matrix for E330-16
E330-16 is classified for joining specific high-temperature austenitic stainless steels and heat-resistant castings. The following P-Number compatibility matrix assists WPS developers in selecting this consumable for code-compliant welding.
| Classification Component | Technical Meaning | Functional Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix “E” | Electrode | Specifically designed for electric arc welding processes. |
| Deposit “330” | Weld Deposit Type | Matches AISI 330 composition: nominally 35% Ni and 15% Cr. A high-temperature, fully austenitic stainless chemistry. |
| Suffix “-16” | Coating & Usability | Indicates a rutile (titania-based) coating. Compatible with AC or DCEP and allows for welding in all positions. |
For dissimilar metal applications, E330-16 can overlay carbon steel (P-1) or low-alloy steel (P-3, P-4) for high-temperature surfacing, but a buffer layer of E309L or ENiCrFe-3 is recommended to manage dilution. It is not recommended to join standard 300-series stainless (P-8) in corrosion service; use E309L instead.
Recommended Welding Parameters for E330-16 Electrode
The following parameters apply to E330-16 stainless steel welding rods. Low heat input is mandatory for this fully austenitic electrode to prevent solidification cracking.
| Diameter (mm/in) | Flat (A) | V & OH (A) | Voltage (V) | Polarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 mm (3/32″) | 70–85 | 65–75 | 24–28 | AC or DCEP |
| 3.2 mm (1/8″) | 85–110 | 80–90 | 26–30 | AC or DCEP |
| 4.0 mm (5/32″) | 110–140 | 100–120 | 28–32 | AC or DCEP |
| 4.8 mm (3/16″) | 120–160 | 110–130 | 28–32 | AC or DCEP |
Critical procedure notes: Use narrow stringer beads only. The fully austenitic, zero-ferrite weld metal cracks easily with high heat. Keep interpass temperature ≤150°C (300°F), and avoid preheating above 100°C for N08330. Limit heat input to 1.5 kJ/mm (38 kJ/in). Do not use post-weld heat treatment. Maintain a short arc length to improve control and reduce porosity.
Storage, Handling & Re-Drying Procedures for E330-16 Electrodes
- Keep E330-16 electrodes in their original sealed packaging at room temperature (15–25°C) and a relative humidity of less than 50%.
- Once you open it, put it in a heated holding oven at 100–150°C (210–300°F) to keep the electrodes in good shape between shifts.
- If electrodes have absorbed moisture or packaging is compromised, re-dry at 250-300°C (480-570°F) for 1-2 hours before use. While E330-16 is not classified as a low-hydrogen electrode, moisture pickup degrades arc stability and causes porosity in the fully austenitic deposit.
- Limit re-baking to 2-3 times. Excessive re-drying damages the rutile coating binder. Use within 4 hours of oven removal in high-humidity environments; up to 8 hours is acceptable in climate-controlled shops below 50% RH.
- Wire spool storage (for companion ER330 TIG/MIG wire): Keep spools in dry, sealed bags when not in use to prevent surface contamination.
- Sealed containers carry a shelf life of 3–5 years from manufacture. Opened containers should be used within 6 months when stored correctly.
How to Order E330-16 Welding Electrode from Nicorex Alloys
Contact Nicorex Alloys for an RFQ form. Include the details given below in your order.
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AWS Classification: E330-16 per AWS A5.4 / ASME SFA-5.4
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Diameter: 2.4 mm / 3.2 mm / 4.0 mm / 4.8 mm
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Quantity: Specify kg or number of canisters
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Testing / Certification: MTC 3.1/3.2; FN Report; PMI; TPI
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Base Metal: UNS N08330 or dissimilar joint — specify
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Material Grade: UNS N08330; W.Nr. 1.4864; EN ISO 3581-A: E 35 20 R
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Third-Party Approvals: DNV / ABS / BV / LR / TÜV — specify
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Applicable Code: ASME VIII, IX, B31.3 — specify
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Delivery: Domestic / International — specify port or address
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Remarks: High temperature / carburisation resistance — confirm service condition
Matching consumable sets (E330-16 electrode + ER330 TIG rod + ER330 MIG wire) can be supplied from a single source for complete project coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions - E330-16 High-Temperature Welding Electrode
What is the maximum service temperature for E330-16 weld deposits?
E330-16 weld deposits provide reliable oxidation and scale resistance up to 980°C (1800°F) in continuous service. The intermittent service temperatures can reach 1090°C (2000°F). Nickel-based alloy consumables like ERNiCr-3 should be used to keep the structure strong above these limits.
Why does E330-16 have higher carbon content than other stainless electrodes?
The 0.18-0.25% carbon range in E330-16 is intentional. Higher carbon provides superior creep strength and stress-rupture resistance at sustained temperatures above 650°C. Low-carbon variants would compromise the high-temperature mechanical properties that define this electrode’s application in furnace and heat-treatment service.
Can E330-16 be used for wet corrosion service?
No. E330-16 should not be selected for wet corrosion service. The elevated carbon content (0.18-0.25%) makes the fully austenitic weld deposit susceptible to intergranular corrosion in aqueous media. For corrosion-resistant applications, use low-carbon grades such as E308L-16 or E316L-16.
What is the ASME Section IX F-Number and A-Number for E330-16?
E330-16 is classified as F-4 (rutile-coated stainless electrode per QW-432) with A-Number A-9 (Cr-Ni weld deposit with Ni exceeding 15%, per QW-442). The SFA specification is SFA 5.4 and the UNS number is W33010.
Does Nicorex Alloys supply matching ER330 TIG and MIG wire alongside E330-16 electrodes?
Yes. Nicorex Alloys stocks ER330 TIG filler rods and ER330 MIG wire to complement E330-16 SMAW electrodes. Matching consumable sets ensures consistent weld deposit chemistry across SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW processes on the same project, simplifying procurement and WPS documentation.
What is the difference between E330-16 and E310-16 welding electrodes?
E330-16 deposits approximately 15Cr-34Ni weld metal, while E310-16 deposits approximately 26Cr-21Ni. The higher nickel in E330-16 provides superior carburisation resistance and thermal shock tolerance. E310-16 offers higher chromium for better sulfidation resistance. Select E330-16 for carburising furnace atmospheres; select E310-16 for oxidising or sulfidising environments.