AK-E385-16 Ultra-Low Carbon Stainless Steel Electrode for Corrosion-Resistant Welding.
A rutile-coated electrode for all-position welding of high-alloy stainless steel, designed for service in strong and hot acids with minimal carbon content and excellent pitting resistance.
Product Overview
AK-E385-16 is an ultra-low carbon Cr20Ni25Mo4.5Cu stainless steel electrode with a rutile coating, suitable for manual metal arc welding with AC or DC power in all positions. The deposited metal has a carbon content of 0.03 percent, contributing to high resistance against intergranular corrosion.
It meets the EN ISO 3581-A:E (20 25 5 Cu N L) R 1 2 and AWS A5.4 E385-16 classifications, and is formulated for applications requiring resistance to strong and hot acids, including in towers, tanks, pipelines, and storage and transport containers.
Application: It is suitable for welding and manufacturing towers, tanks, pipelines and storage and transportation containers of various strong acids. It has good pitting corr osion resistance to various strong acids and hot acids.
Key Benefits
Ultra-Low Carbon for Corrosion Resistance.
With a deposited metal carbon content of 0.03 percent, AK-E385-16 minimizes the risk of sensitization and intergranular corrosion in service environments.
Excellent Pitting Resistance in Strong Acids.
The combination of 19.5-21.5 percent chromium, 4.2-5.2 percent molybdenum, and 1.2-2.0 percent copper provides strong resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in aggressive acid conditions.
All-Position Welding Capability
The rutile coating enables stable arc performance in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions, allowing continuous welding without changing consumables.
Stable Arc with AC and DC.
The electrode operates effectively with both AC and DC power sources, offering flexibility in field and shop welding environments.
Where It Is Used
- Welding of towers and storage tanks exposed to strong acids.
- Fabrication of pipelines and containers for hot and aggressive chemical environments.
- Construction of transport and storage units for corrosive media.
- Maintenance and repair of equipment in chemical processing and petrochemical facilities.
Who It Is For
- Welding consumable distributors supplying high-alloy stainless steel electrodes.
- Fabricators of chemical and petrochemical equipment requiring acid-resistant welds.
- Maintenance teams working on equipment exposed to hot and strong acids.
Problems It Solves
- Weld metal susceptibility to intergranular corrosion due to high carbon content in standard stainless steel electrodes.
- Pitting and crevice corrosion in strong acids caused by insufficient molybdenum and copper content in lower-alloy electrodes.
- Need for multiple electrode types to cover different welding positions on the same project.
Specifications
Published by the factory for AK-E385-16. Values not shown are not published on the datasheet and are marked as such rather than estimated.
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| Classification 1 | EN ISO 3581-A:E （20 25 5 Cu N L） R 1 2 |
| Classification 2 | AWS A5.4 E385-16 |
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| C | 0.03 |
| SI | 0.90 |
| Mn | 1.0-2.50 |
| S | 0.02 |
| P | 0.03 |
| Ni | 24.0-26.0 |
| Cr | 19.5-21.5 |
| Mo | 4.2-5.2 |
| Cu | 1.2-2.0 |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength (MPa) | ≥520 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥ 28 |
| Diameter | Current range |
|---|---|
| 2.5mm | F/H-60-80A V/OH-40-70A |
| 3.2mm | F/H-80-120A V/OH-60-100A |
| 4.0mm | F/H-100-150A V/OH-80-130A |
Technical Features
- Rutile-coated electrode for all-position manual metal arc welding with AC or DC.
- Deposited metal carbon content of 0.03 percent.
- Chromium content of 19.5-21.5 percent, nickel content of 24.0-26.0 percent, molybdenum content of 4.2-5.2 percent, copper content of 1.2-2.0 percent.
- Tensile strength of at least 520 MPa.
- Elongation of at least 28 percent.
- Supplied in 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, and 4.0 mm diameters with published current ranges for each.
Use Guide
- Select diameter by joint thickness and welding position: 2.5 mm for thin sections, 3.2 mm for medium, 4.0 mm for thicker sections.
- Use 60-80 A in flat and horizontal positions, and 40-70 A in vertical and overhead positions for 2.5 mm electrodes.
- Use 80-120 A in flat and horizontal positions, and 60-100 A in vertical and overhead positions for 3.2 mm electrodes.
- Use 100-150 A in flat and horizontal positions, and 80-130 A in vertical and overhead positions for 4.0 mm electrodes.
- Clean the joint surfaces from oil, grease, rust, and moisture before welding to ensure sound welds.
- Keep electrodes in sealed packaging until use; re-dry any exposed electrodes before use.
How It Compares
AK-E385-16 and E385-10 both belong to the AWS A5.4 E385 series and are used for high-alloy stainless steel welding, but differ in coating type and performance. E385-10 has a basic coating and is intended for low-hydrogen applications, while AK-E385-16 uses a rutile coating for better arc stability and all-position performance. E385-16 offers higher molybdenum and copper content than E385-10, enhancing pitting resistance in aggressive acids. For applications requiring maximum corrosion resistance in hot and strong acids, AK-E385-16 is the preferred choice.
Related Grades
Other welding electrodes in the same family.
AK-E385-16 Questions
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