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ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor (2026): 8.7
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor (2026): 8.7
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Vol 10 No 6 (2026): Volume 10, Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 255-261
International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology
OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 25-06-2026
AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel (SS304) is widely used in the chemical, food, petrochemical, energy, and marine industries due to its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and weldability. However, the thermal cycles generated during welding can alter the microstructure of the weld metal and heat-affected zone (HAZ), thereby affecting the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of welded joints. This study aimed to investigate the effects of E308L, E309L, and E316L filler electrodes on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of SS304 joints produced by the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process. Welding was performed at a constant current of 130 A, an arc voltage of 12–14 V, and pure argon shielding gas. Mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile testing in accordance with ASTM E8 and Vickers hardness testing based on ASTM E384. Microstructural observations were conducted using optical microscopy, while corrosion resistance was assessed by potentiodynamic polarization testing according to ASTM G61. The results showed that all weld metals were predominantly composed of the austenitic phase with varying amounts of δ-ferrite. The E308L electrode produced a relatively fine dendritic structure with a moderate δ-ferrite content, whereas E309L resulted in a higher δ-ferrite fraction and a coarser dendritic structure. The E316L electrode produced a more homogeneous austenitic structure due to the presence of molybdenum (Mo). The highest tensile strength was obtained with the E308L electrode (561.40 MPa), followed by E316L (561.38 MPa), while E309L exhibited the lowest tensile strength (502.63 MPa). The highest elongation was achieved by E316L (16.35%). Furthermore, E316L exhibited the lowest corrosion rate of 0.000474 mm/year, indicating superior corrosion resistance. Overall, the E316L electrode provided the most favorable combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance for GTAW welding of SS304 stainless steel.
AISI 304 Stainless Steel, GTAW, Filler Electrode, Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Resistance.
Ahmad Mafruchul Fitroh, Agus Suprihanto, & Ojo Kurdi. (2026). Effect of Filler Electrode Selection on the Corrosion Rate of AISI 304 Stainless Steel Welded by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 10(6), 255-261. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2026.106032
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