AWS A5.4/A5.4M:2012

An American National Standard

Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding

AWS A5.4/A5.4M:2012

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

October 5, 2012

Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding

11th Edition

Supersedes AWS A5.4/A5.4M:2006

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

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

Composition and other requirements are specified for more than forty classifications of covered stainless steel welding electrodes. The requirements include general requirements, testing, and packaging. Annex A provides application guide- lines and other useful information about the electrodes.

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

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-821-1

American Welding Society 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite130, Doral, FL 33166

© 2012 by American Welding Society

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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 governmen- tal 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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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, Technical Services Division, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166 (see Annex B). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be ren- dered. 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 com- ments. 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 pro- vided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166.

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Personnel

AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials

H. D. Wehr, Chair Arcos Industries, LLC

J. J. DeLoach Jr., Vice Chair Naval Surface Warfare Center

R. D. Fuchs, 2nd VCH Bohler Welding Group USA, Incorporated

R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

T. Anderson Miller Electric Manufacturing Company

J. M. Blackburn Naval Sea Systems Command

J. C. Bundy Hobart Brothers Company

D. D. Crockett Consultant

R. V. Decker Weldstar

D. A. DelSignore Consultant

J. DeVito ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

H. W. Ebert Consulting Welding Engineer

D. M. Fedor The Lincoln Electric Company

J. G. Feldstein Foster Wheeler North America

S. E. Ferree ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company

G. L. Franke Naval Surface Warfare Center

1. M. Henson Harris Products Group

2. D. Kiser Special Metals

P. J. Konkol Concurrent Technologies Corporation

D. J. Kotecki Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants

1. G. Kvidahl Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding

   1. Y. Lau Canadian Welding Bureau

1. S. Lee Chevron

   T. Melfi The Lincoln Electric Company

2. M. Merlo EWI

M. T. Merlo RevWires LLC

B. Mosier Polymet Corporation

1. K. Mukherjee Siemens Energy Incorporated

   T. C. Myers Oceaneering Intervention Engineering

   C. L. Null Consultant

2. A. Pletcher CB&I Incorporated

K. C. Pruden Hydril Company

K. Roossinck Northrop Grumman Ship Systems

P. K. Salvesen Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

K. Sampath Consultant

W. S. Severance ESAB Welding and Cutting Products

M. J. Sullivan NASSCO-Natl Steel and Shipbuilding

R. C. Sutherlin ATI Wah Chang

R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited

K. P. Thornberry Care Medical, Incorporated

M. D. Tumuluru US Steel Corporation

H. J. White HAYNES International

Advisors to the A5 Committee on Filler Metal and Allied Material

R. L. Bateman Soldaduras West Arco Limitada

J. E. Beckham Chrysler LLC

R. A. Daemen Consultant

1. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

   J. P. Hunt Special Metals

   S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited

   W. A. Marttila WAMcom Consulting LLC

   R. Menon Stoody Company

   D. R. Miller ABS Americas Materials Department

   M. P. Parekh Consultant

   1. A. Quintana The Lincoln Electric Company

      1. S. Surian National University of Lomas de Zamora

         
         

         AWS A5D Subcommittee on Stainless Steel Filler Metals

2. J. Kotecki, Chair Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants

1. B. Lake, Vice Chair ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

1. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

   R. E. Cantrell Constellation Energy Group

   R. V. Decker Weldstar

   1. A. DelSignore Consultant

      1. G. Feldstein Foster Wheeler North America

         1. D. Fuchs Bohler Welding Group USA, Incorporated

         2. R. Jana Select Arc, Incorporated

S. J. Knostman Hobart Brothers

G. A. Kurisky Consultant

M. T. Merlo RevWire LLC

S. J. Merrick Techalloy Welding Products

R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited

J. G. Wallin Stoody Company

H. D. Wehr Arcos Industries LLC

J. M. Zawodny Avesta Welding LLC

Advisors to the A5D Subcommittee on Stainless Steel Filler Metals

F. S. Babish Sandvik Materials Technology

K. K. Gupta Westinghouse Electric Corporation

C. H. Herberg Alaskan Copper Works

J. P. Hunt Special Metals

S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited

1. K. Ishizaki Kobelco Welding of America, Incorporated

2. S. Ogborn The Lincoln Electric Company

Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS A5.4/A5.4M:2012, Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding, but is included for informational purposes only.

This document is the second of the A5.4 specifications which 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 inde- pendently of the other, without combining values in any way. In selecting rational metric units, the Metric Practice Guide for the Welding Industry (AWS A1.1) and International Standard ISO 544, Welding consumables—Technical delivery conditions for welding filler materials—Type of product, dimensions, tolerances, and marking 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 the U.S. Customary and SI Units.

The Major Changes Incorporated in This Revision Include Updating Clause 6 (Rounding-off Procedure), Ading “Bi” Reporting Requirement, and New Filler Metal Classification E2307-XX. These changes are shown in italic font.

This AWS specification has evolved since the mid 1940s to its present form. The specification for covered stainless steel electrodes, issued in 1946, was prepared by a joint committee of the American Society for Testing and Materials and the American Welding Society. This cooperative effort continued for about 20 years and produced three revisions. The first revision, produced exclusively by the AWS Committee on Filler Metals, was published in 1969.

The current revision represents the tenth revision of the original 1946 document as shown below:

ASTM A298-46T Tentative Specification for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and

AWS A5.4-46T Chromium-Nickel Steel Welding Electrodes

ASTM A298-48T Tentative Specifications for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and

AWS A5.4-48T Chromium-Nickel Steel Welding Electrodes

ASTM A298-55T Tentative Specifications for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and

AWS A5.4-55T Chromium-Nickel Steel Covered Welding Electrodes

AWS A5.4-62T Tentative Specification for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and

ASTM A298-62T Chromium-Nickel Steel Covered Welding Electrodes

AWS A5.4-69 Specification for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Steel Covered Welding Electrodes

AWS A5.4-Add. 1-75 1975 Addenda to Specification for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and

Chromium-Nickel Steel Covered Welding Electrodes

AWS A5.4-78 Specification for Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Steel Covered Welding Electrodes

ANSI/AWS A5.4-81 Specification for Covered Corrosion-Resisting Chromium and

Chromium-Nickel Steel Welding Electrodes

ANSI/AWS A5.4-92 Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding

AWS A5.4/A5.4M:2006 Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials, American Welding Society, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite130, Doral, FL 33166.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

Table of Contents ix

List of Tables x

List of Figures x

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Classification 2

4. Acceptance 2

5. Certification 5

6. Rounding-off Procedure 5

7. Summary of Tests 6

8. Retest 6

9. Weld Test Assemblies 6

10. Chemical Analysis 11

11. Radiographic Test 13

12. Tension Test 14

13. Fillet Weld Test 14

14. Method of Manufacture 14

15. Standard Sizes and Lengths 14

16. Core Wire and Covering 14

17. Exposed Core 15

18. Electrode Identification 18

19. Packaging 18

20. Marking of Packages 18

    Annex A (Informative)—Guide to AWS Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for

    Shielded Metal Arc Welding 19

    Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 37

    AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process 39

    AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents 41

    
    

    List of Tables

    
    

    Table Page No.

    1. Chemical Composition Requirements for Undiluted Weld Metal 3

    2. Type of Welding Current and Position of Welding 5

    3. Examples of Potentially Occurring Dual Classified Electrodes and Suggested Marking 5

    4. Tests Required for Classification 7

    5. Welding Conditions for Preparation of the Groove Weld 11

    6. All-Weld-Metal Mechanical Property Requirements 12

    7. Standard Sizes and Lengths 18

1. Comparison of Classifications in ISO 3581:2003 22

2. Discontinued Classifications 35

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. Pad for Chemical Analysis of Undiluted Weld Metal 8

2. Groove Weld Assembly for Tension and Radiographic Tests for Electrodes 1/8 in

   [3.2 mm] Diameter and Larger 9

3. Fillet Weld Test Assembly 10

4. Fillet Weld Test Specimen 15

5A Rounded Indication Standards for Radiographic Test—1/2 in [12 mm] Plate 16

5B Rounded Indication Standards for Radiographic Test—3/4 in [20 mm] Plate 18

1. Weld Pad for Ferrite Test 24

2. Optional Welding Fixture for Welding Ferrite Test Pads 25

3. WRC-1992 (FN) Diagram for Stainless Steel Weld Metal 26

4. Orientation and Location of Optional Impact Specimen 35

Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding

1. Scope

   1. This specification prescribes requirements for the classification of covered stainless steel electrodes for shielded metal arc welding.1,2

      The chromium content of weld metal deposited by these electrodes is not less than 10.5 percent and the iron content exceeds that of any other element. For purposes of classification, the iron content shall be derived as the balance element when all other elements are considered to be at their minimum specified values.

      NOTE: No attempt has been made to classify all grades of filler metals within the limits of the above scope; only the more commonly used grades have been included.

   2. Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard and, therefore, are not fully addressed herein. Some safety and health information can be found in Annex Sections A5 and A11. Safety and health information is available from other sources, including, but not limited to ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes, and applicable state and federal regulations.

   3. This specification 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 in any way when referring to material properties. The specification with the designation A5.4 uses U.S. Customary Units. The specification A5.4M uses SI Units. The latter are shown in brackets [] or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. Standard dimensions based on either system may be used for sizing of filler metal or packaging or both under A5.4 or A5.4M specifications.

      
      

2. Normative References

   1. The following AWS standards3 are referenced in the mandatory section of this document.

1. AWS A5.01M/A5.01 (ISO 14344 MOD). Procurement Guidelines for Consumables – Welding and Allied Processes – Flux and Gas Shielded Electrical Welding Processes

2. AWS A5.5, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding

3. AWS B4.0, Standard Methods for Mechanical Testing of Welds

4. AWS B4.0M, Standard Methods for Mechanical Testing of Welds

1 Due to possible differences in composition, core wire from covered electrodes should not be used as bare filler wire.

2 Classifications E502, E505, and E7Cr are no longer specified by this document. They are specified in AWS A5.5/A5.5M:2006, designated as follows: E502 as E801X-B6 and E801X-B6L, E505 as E801X-B8 and E801X-B8L, and E7Cr as E801X-B7 and E801X-B7L.

3 AWS standards are published by the American Welding Society, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite130, Doral, FL 33166.