AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

An American National Standard

Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

second printing, July 2018

AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

July 11, 2017

Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

7th Edition Erratum: second printing, July 2018

Supersedes AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2005

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Processes

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This specification prescribes the requirements for classification of solid carbon steel electrodes and rods, composite stranded carbon steel electrodes, and composite metal cored carbon steel electrodes for gas shielded arc welding. Classi- fication is based on chemical composition of the electrode for solid electrodes and rods, chemical composition of weld metal for composite stranded and composite metal cored electrodes and the as-welded mechanical properties of the weld metal for each. Additional requirements are included for manufacturing, diameters, lengths, and packaging. A guide is appended to the specification as a source of information concerning the classification system employed and the intended use of the electrodes and rods.

This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). Since these units are not equivalent, each system must be used independently of the other.

ISBN: 978-0-87171-922-5

© 2017 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Erratum: second printing, July 2018

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All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

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This standard may be superseded by new editions. This standard may also be corrected through publication of amendments or errata, or supplemented by publication of addenda. Information on the latest editions of AWS standards including amendments, errata, and addenda is posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org). Users should ensure that they have the latest edition, amendments, errata, and addenda.

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Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Standards Development, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166 (see Annex B). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

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Personnel

AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials

H. D. Wehr, Chair Arcos Industries LLC

R. D. Fuchs, 2nd Vice Chair Voestalpine Böhler Welding USA, Incorporated

R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

T. Anderson ITW—Miller Electric Manufacturing Company

J. C. Bundy Hobart Brothers Company

J. L. Caron Haynes International, Incorporated

G. L. Chouinard Stoody Company (a division of ESAB)

D. D. Crockett Consultant

R. V. Decker Weldstar

D. M. Fedor The Lincoln Electric Company

J. G. Feldstein Foster Wheeler North America

D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company

G. L. Franke Consultant

1. M. Henson Harris Products Group

2. D. Kiser Consultant

P. J. Konkol Concurrent Technologies Corporation

D. J. Kotecki Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants

1. G. Kvidahl Ingalls Shipbuilding

   1. Y. Lau Canadian Welding Bureau

      J. S. Lee Chevron

      1. R. Logan Babcock & Wilcox

         C. McEvoy Consultant

         T. Melfi The Lincoln Electric Company

         M. T. Merlo Select-Arc

      2. M. Merlo-Joseph Apeks Supercritical

         B. Mosier Polymet Corporation

         T. C. Myers Oceaneering Intervention Engineering

         1. A. Pletcher Select-Arc

            1. D. Praster NuWeld, Incorporated

            2. C. Pruden BP Americas

      K. Roossinck Ingalls Shipbuilding

      K. Sampath Chart Industries

      J. D. Schaefer Tri Tool, Incorporated

      F. A. Schweighardt Air Liquide Industrial US LP

      W. S. Severance ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

      M. F. Sinfield Naval Surface Warfare Center

      D. Singh GE Oil & Gas

      P. E. Staunton Shell EDG

      R. C. Sutherlin ATI Wah Chang

      R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited

      J. Zhang Indalco Alloys Incorporated of Lincoln Electric

      
      

      Advisors to AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials

      D. R Bajek Chicago Bridge and Iron

      J. E. Beckham Chrysler Group LLC

      1. M. Blackburn Naval Sea Systems Command

         Advisors to AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials (Continued)

      2. P. Campion Carpenter Technology

      1. A. DelSignore Consultant

         J. DeVito Consultant

         1. D. England ITW Welding North America

            1. E. Ferree Consultant

               1. J. Fox Hobart Brothers Company

                  O. Henderson Trinity Industries, Incorporated

                  S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited

               2. J. Knostman Hobart Brothers Company

      W. A. Marttila WAMcom Consulting LLC

      R. Menon Victor Technologies

      R. A. Miller Kennametal, Incorporated

      M. A. Quintana The Lincoln Electric Company

      M. J. Sullivan NASSCO—National Steel & Shipbuilding

      M. D. Tumuluru US Steel

      H. J. White PCC Energy Group

      
      

      AWS A5O Subcommittee on Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

      J. C. Bundy, Chair Hobart Brothers Company

2. T. Merlo, Vice Chair Select-Arc

1. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

   D. D. Crockett Consultant

   R. V. Decker Weldstar

   R. J. Fox Hobart Brothers Company

   P. J. Konkol Concurrent Technologies Corporation

   D. J. Kotecki Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants

   L. L. Kuiper Graycor Services LLC

   T. C. Myers Lutech Resources

   V. B. Rajan The Lincoln Electric Company

   K. Sampath Chart Industries

   R. D. Strugar Bechtel Plant Machinery, Incorporated

   D. A. Wright Consultant

   
   

   Advisors to the AWS A5O Subcommittee on Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

   1. J. DeLoach, Jr. Naval Surface Warfare Center

      D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company

   2. W. Gerhart EWI

      1. P. Gerlich University of Waterloo

S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Ltd

D. R. Miller ABS

M. P. Parekh Consultant

D. M. Parker Consultant

Foreword

This foreword is not part of this standard but is included for informational purposes only.

This document is the third of the A5.18 specifications that makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). The measurements are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other without combining values in any way. In selecting rational metric units, AWS A1.1, Metric Practice Guide for the Welding Industry, and ISO 544, Welding consumables — Technical delivery conditions for filler materials and fluxes — Type of product, dimensions, tolerances and markings, are used where suitable. Tables and figures make use of both U.S. Customary and SI Units, which, with the application of the specified tolerances, provides for interchangeability of products in both U.S. Customary and SI Units.

This current document is the sixth revision of the initial joint ASTM/AWS document issued in 1965.

This 2017 edition includes the following substantive changes which are shown in Italic font in this document.

• A new solid electrode classification, ER70S-8 [ER49S-8], has been added for single and multiple pass applica- tions. This electrode type has been adopted from ISO 14341 (class S11).

  
  

• Two new composite electrode classifications have been added: (1) the E70C-8X [E49C-8X] classification for DCEN welding and (2) the E70C-12X [E49C-12X] classification which has been added to meet ASME, Section IX, A-No. 1 weld metal chemical composition per QW-442.

• Packaging information has been replaced by the reference of AWS A5.02/A5.02M, Specification for Filler Metal Standard Sizes, Packaging, and Physical Attributes. The use of A5.02/A5.02M will now require positive identifica- tion of all cut length rods by imprinting, embossing, tagging, etc.

• Rounding Procedure has been revised to bring it in line with ISO procedure.

  
  

• The classification designator for the A5.18M specification was changed from ER48 and EC48 to ER49 and EC49, along with a corresponding change in the minimum tensile strength required from 480 MPa to 490 MPa.

  
  

• B (boron) reporting requirements have been added in Tables 1 and 2.

  
  

• The GTAW groove weld test has been moved from Annex A to the body of the specification.

The composite metal cored electrodes classified in this revision of A5.18/A5.18M are also classified in the new AWS A5.36/A5.36M, Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding. The A5.36/A5.36M specification utilizes a new open classification system. Com- bining the metal cored electrodes and flux cored electrodes into a single specification is consistent with the approach taken by ISO and other international code bodies. In addition, metal cored and flux cored electrode classifications are both based upon weld deposit composition, unlike solid GMAW electrodes which are classified based upon electrode composition.

Document Development

The evolution took place as below:

AWS A5.18-65T Tentative Specification for Mild Steel Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

ASTM A559-65T

AWS A5.18-69 Specification for Mild Steel Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

ANSI W3.18-1973

AWS A5.18-79 Specification for Carbon Steel Filler Metals for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

AWS A5.18-93 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2001 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2005 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials, American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

Erratum

The following Erratum has been identified and is incorporated in this reprint.

Page 12, Table 6, GMAW Groove Weld Assembly Test Conditions for Solid Electrodes Travel speed for 0.045 in [1.2 mm] size electrodes, change as below in 2nd column: “131 in/min ± 1 in/min” to “13 in/min ± 1 in/min”

Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Figures x

List of Tables x

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

   1. AWS Standards 1

   2. ASTM Standards 1

   3. ANSI Standards 2

   4. ISO Specifications 2

3. Classification 2

4. Acceptance 5

5. Certification 5

6. Rounding Procedure 5

7. Summary of Tests 6

8. Retest 8

9. Weld Test Assemblies 8

10. Chemical Analysis 13

11. Radiographic Test 13

12. Tension Test 15

13. Bend Test 15

14. Impact Test 16

15. Diffusible Hydrogen Test 16

16. Method of Manufacture 17

17. Standard Sizes 17

18. Finish and Uniformity 17

19. Standard Package Forms 17

20. Winding Requirements 17

21. Filler Metal Identification 18

22. Packaging 18

23. Marking of Packages 18

Annex A (Informative)—Guide to AWS Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods

for Gas Shielded Arc Welding 19

Annex B (Informative)—Requesting an Official Interpretation on an AWS Standard 29

AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process 31

AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents 33

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. A5.18/A5.18M Classification System 4

2. Groove Weld Test Assembly for Mechanical Properties and Soundness 9

3. Weld Test Assembly for Transverse Tension and Longitudinal Guided Bend Tests 10

4. Pad for Chemical Analysis of Weld Metal from Composite Electrodes 11

5. Radiographic Acceptance Standards 14

List of Tables

Table Page No.

1. Chemical Composition Requirements for Solid Electrodes and Rods 3

2. Chemical Composition Requirements for Weld Metal from Composite Electrodes 5

3. Required Tests 6

4. Mechanical Property Requirements (As-Welded) 7

5. Base Metal for Test Assemblies 11

6. GMAW Groove Weld Assembly Test Conditions for Solid Electrodes 12

7. GTAW Groove Weld Assembly Test Conditions for Solid Rods 12

8. Diffusible Hydrogen Limits for Weld Metal 16

Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

1. Scope

   1. This specification prescribes requirements for the classification of carbon steel electrodes (solid, composite stranded, and composite metal cored) and rods (solid) for gas metal arc (GMAW), gas tungsten arc (GTAW), and plasma arc (PAW) welding. Rod is understood to include both cut lengths and spooled wires for GTAW or PAW.

   2. This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). The measure- ments are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other without combining in any way when referring to weld metal properties. The specification with the designation A5.18 uses U.S. Customary Units. The specification A5.18M uses SI Units. The latter are shown within brackets [ ] or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. Standard dimensions based on either system may be used for sizing of electrodes or packaging or both under the A5.18 or A5.18M specifications.

   3. Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard; some safety and health information is provided, but such issues are not fully addressed herein. Some safety and health information can be found in Annex Clauses A5 and A10.

      Safety and Health information is available from the following sources: American Welding Society:

      1. ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

      2. AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets

      3. Other safety and health information on AWS website Material or Equipment Manufacturers:

         1. Safety Data Sheets supplied by materials manufacturers

         2. Operating Manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers

         3. Applicable federal and state regulations

         Work performed in accordance with this standard may involve the use of materials that have been deemed hazardous, and may involve operations or equipment that may cause injury or death. This standard does not purport to address all safety and health risks that may be encountered. The user of this standard should establish an appropriate safety program to address such risks as well as to meet applicable regulatory requirements. ANSI Z49.1 should be considered when developing the safety program.

         
         

2. Normative References

   The documents listed below are referenced within this publication and are mandatory to the extent specified herein. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply. For dated references, subsequent amend- ments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply.

   1. AWS Standards

AWS A3.0M/A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, Including Terms for Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying

AWS A4.3, Standard Methods for Determination of the Diffusible Hydrogen Content of Martensitic, Bainitic, and Ferritic Steel Weld Metal Produced by Arc Welding

AWS A5.01M/A5.01 (ISO 14344 MOD), Welding Consumables— Procurement of Filler Metals and Fluxes

AWS A5.02/A5.02M:2007, Specification for Filler Metal Standard Sizes, Packaging, and Physical Attributes