ABRAFIL 316LF (Low Ferrite)

Austenitic stainless steel filler metal with a low carbon content, which reduces the possibilities of intergranular carbide precipitation, and thereby increases the resistance to intergranular corrosion without the use of stabilizers such as niobium or titanium.

Chemical analysis is kept under control, by lowering ferrite promoting elements and/or by raising austenite promoting elements, in order to achieve a ferrite number ≤ 6. Low amounts of ferrite are recommended if the weldment is to be in very low temperature service, as ferrite is not tough at low temperatures; also, if the weldment is to be used in high temperature service (higher than 1000 °F), the ferrite should be maintained at low levels because the ferrite becomes brittle at those temperatures.

Due to low ferrite, crack susceptibility may result: to reduce crack susceptibility, it is therefore recommended to use as low heat input as practical, a flat to convex bead shape, and maintain a suitable interpass temperature (e.g. 300°C).

This grade may be mainly used for:

• welding, repairing and overlaying of stainless steel grades like type 316L when weld metal ferrite needs to be low;

• applications in the cryogenic industry to obtain low impact toughness and high strength.