This research studies the metallurgical transformations happening during the SMAW welding of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel with AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel. Two different electrodes, AWS E309L austenitic and AWS E2209-16 duplex stainless steels 3.2 mm diameter, were used to perform the study. The joining was made with a single pass welding and keeping a low heat input ranging from 700 - 1000 J/mm. The influence of the type of electrode and the heat input on the microstructural evolution of the heat affected and the fusion zone was evaluated. Differences between δ ferrite morphology were found for both weld metals. The heat affected zone of the ferritic side showed grain coarsening and grain refinement with martensite at the grain boundaries. Tensile strength was similar for both welding conditions. Microhardness and δ ferrite percent were measured as well.