AWS A5.36/A5.36M:2012

An American National Standard

Specification for Carbon and Low- Alloy Steel Flux Cored Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

AWS A5.36/A5.36M:2012

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

December 20, 2011

Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Flux Cored Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

1st Edition Supersedes AWS A5.20/A5.20M:2005 and AWS A5.29/A5.29M:2005

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

This specification prescribes the requirements for classification of carbon and low-alloy steel flux cored electrodes for flux cored arc welding and metal cored electrodes for gas metal arc welding. The requirements include chemical compo- sition and mechanical properties of the weld metal and certain usability characteristics. Optional, supplemental designa- tors are also included for diffusible hydrogen and to indicate conformance to special mechanical property requirements when the weld metal is deposited using low heat input, fast cooling rate and high heat input, slow cooling rate proce- dures. Additional requirements are included or referenced for standard sizes, marking, manufacturing, and packaging. A guide is appended to the specification as a source of information concerning the classification system employed and the intended use of carbon and low-alloy steel flux cored and metal cored 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: 978-0-87171-799-3

American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

© 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 govern- mental 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 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, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

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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., 1st Vice Chair Naval Surface Warfare Center

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

R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

T. Anderson Miller Electric Manufacturing Co.

J. M. Blackburn Naval Sea Systems Command

J. C. Bundy Hobart Brothers Company

D. D. Crockett Consultant, The Lincoln Electric Company

R.V. Decker Weldstar

D. A. DelSignore Consultant

J. DeVito ESAB Welding and 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 and Cutting Products

D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company

G. L. Franke Naval Surface Warfare Center

1. M. Henson J. W. Harris Company, Incorporated

2. D. Kiser Special Metals

P. J. Konkol Concurrent Technologies Corporation

D. J. Kotecki Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants

1. G. Kvidahl Ingalls Shipbuilding

   A.Y. Lau Canadian Welding Bureau

   1. S. Lee Chevron

      T. Melfi The Lincoln Electric Company

   2. M. Merlo Edison Welding Institute

      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—National Steel & Shipbuilding

      R. C. Sutherlin ATI Wah Chang

      R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited

      M. D. Tumuluru U.S. Steel Corporation

      Advisors to the AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metal and Allied Material

      R. L. Bateman Soldaduras West Arco Ltda.

      J. E. Beckham Chrysler LLC

      M. L. Caruso Special Metals Welding Products Company

      R. A. Daemen Consultant

      1. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

         J. P. Hunt Consultant

         S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited

         W. A. Marttila WAMcom Consulting LLC

         R. Menon Stoody Company

         D. R. Miller ABS

         M. P. Parekh Consultant

         M. A. Quintana The Lincoln Electric Company

         E. S. Surian National University of Lomas de Zamora

         H. J. White HAYNES International

         
         

         AWS A5M Subcommittee on Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

      2. D. Crockett, Chair Consultant, The Lincoln Electric Company

2. T. Merlo, Vice Chair RevWires LLC

R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

J. C. Bundy Hobart Brothers Company

J. J. DeLoach Jr. Naval Surface Warfare Center

S. E. Ferree ESAB Welding and Cutting Products

G. L. Franke Naval Surface Warfare Center

D. W. Haynie Kobelco Welding of America, Incorporated

1. L. Kuiper Euroweld, Limited

   1. Y. Lau Canadian Welding Bureau

R. Menon Stoody Company

K. M. Merlo Edison Welding Institute

T. C. Myers Oceaneering Intervention Engineering

J. S. Ogborn The Lincoln Electric Company

B. A. Pletcher CB&I, Incorporated

M. F. Sinfield Naval Surface Warfare Center

R. B. Smith Select-Arc

R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited

Advisors to the AWS A5M Subcommittee on Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

J. E. Campbell WeldTech Solutions Corporation

D. D. Childs Mark Steel Corporation

K. K. Gupta Westinghouse Electric Corporation

S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited

W. E. Layo Midalloy

D. R. Miller ABS

M. P. Parekh Consultant

M. A. Quintana The Lincoln Electric Company

H. D. Wehr Arcos Industries, LLC

Special Contributor

Janet Morse The Lincoln Electric Company

Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS A5.36/A5.36M:2012, Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Flux Cored Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding, but is included for informational purposes only.

This specification combines the two specifications previously issued by the American Welding Society for the classifica- tion of carbon and low-alloy steel flux cored electrodes (AWS A5.20/A5.20M, Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding, and AWS A5.29/A5.29M, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding). In addition, this specification includes provisions for the classification of carbon and low-alloy steel metal cored electrodes. Heretofore, carbon steel metal cored electrodes were classified under AWS A5.18/A5.18M, Specifica- tion for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding, and low-alloy steel metal cored electrodes were classified under A5.28/A5.28M, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Weld- ing. The user should be advised that the requirements for low-alloy metal cored electrodes classified under this specifica- tion may vary somewhat from those prescribed in AWS A5.28/A5.28M. This document uses both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI) throughout. The measurements are not exact equivalents; therefore, each sys- tem 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 welding filler materials — 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 toler- ances, provides for interchangeability of products in both the U.S. Customary and SI Units.

This new AWS A5.36/A5.36M specification utilizes two classification systems. The first of these is a “fixed classifica- tion system” which has been carried over to this specification from AWS A5.20/A5.20M or AWS A5.18/A5.18M, as applicable, for the classification of those carbon steel flux cored electrodes or carbon steel metal cored electrodes which, with the specific mechanical properties specified for them in AWS A5.20/A5.20M or AWS A5.18/A5.18M, have gained wide acceptance for single and multiple pass applications. The classification designations and requirements for these specific electrodes are unchanged from those previously specified in AWS A5.20/A5.20M or AWS A5.18/A5.18M. A listing of these electrodes with their requirements is given in Table 1.

This AWS A5.36/A5.36M specification also utilizes a new, “open classification system” which is introduced in this doc- ument for the classification of carbon and low-alloy steel flux cored and metal cored electrodes. The open classification system uses designators to indicate electrode type (Usability Designator), welding position capability, tensile strength, impact strength, shielding gas (with more options and new designations), condition of heat treatment, if any, and weld deposit composition. The change to an open classification system is being made to allow for the classification of flux cored and metal cored electrodes with classification options which (1) better define the performance capabilities of the advanced electrode designs that have been developed, and (2) reflect the application requirements of today’s market- place. In addition, the provision has been made in this document for the classification of metal cored electrodes (usabil- ity Designator T15) and two new electrode types (Usability Designators T16 and T17) for the classification of metal cored and flux cored electrodes designed for use with AC power sources with or without modified waveforms. The EXXT-2X classification has been discontinued. Electrodes previously classified as EXXT-2X can now be classified under the new open classification system without requiring a unique “2” Usability Designator. The EXXT-13 electrode classification has been discontinued due to lack of commercial significance. For a complete listing of the affected exist- ing electrode classifications and the corresponding equivalent classifications using the open classification system under AWS A5.36/A5.36M, refer to A9 in Annex A.

Two additional changes to note are (1) the fillet weld test, previously required under AWS A5.20/A5.20M and AWS A5.29/A5.29M (and also detailed in ISO 15792-3) is not a required test under AWS A5.36/A5.36M, and (2) the preheat

and interpass temperature requirements for the “D” optional, supplemental designator have been modified for better agreement with AWS D1.8/D1.8M, Structural Welding Code—Seismic Supplement.”

The A5.20/A5.20M:2005 specification being replaced is the fourth revision of the joint ASTM/AWS A5.20 document first issued in 1969. The A5.29/A5.29M:2005 specification being replaced is the third revision of AWS A5.29 that was introduced in 1980. The historical progressions of these two documents appear below:

Historical Background

AWS A5.20-69 Specifications for Mild Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding

ANSI W3.20-1973

ANSI/AWS A5.20-79 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding ANSI/AWS A5.20-95 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding AWS A5.20/A5.20M:2005 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding ANSI/AWS A5.29-80 Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Are Welding ANSI/AWS A5.29: 1998 Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding AWS A5.29/A5.29M:2005 Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored 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, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables x

List of Figures x

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Classification 3

4. Acceptance 9

5. Certification 12

6. Rounding-Off Procedure 12

7. Summary of Tests 13

8. Retest 15

9. Test Assemblies 17

10. Chemical Analysis 20

11. Radiographic Test 22

12. Tension Test 23

13. Bend Test 23

14. Impact Test 25

15. Diffusible Hydrogen Test 25

16. “D” and “Q” Optional Supplemental Designator Tests 26

17. Method of Manufacture 28

18. Standard Sizes 28

19. Finish and Uniformity 28

20. Standard Package Forms 28

21. Winding Requirements 28

22. Electrode Identification 28

23. Packaging 28

24. Marking of Packages 28

    Annex A (Informative)—Guide to AWS Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Flux Cored Electrodes

    for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding 29

    Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 49

    AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process 51

    AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents 53

    
    

    List of Tables

    
    

    Table Page No.

    1. Electrode Classifications with Fixed Requirements 4

    2. Tension Test Requirements 6

    3. Charpy Impact Test Requirements 6

    4. Electrode Usability Characteristics 7

    5. Composition Requirements for Shielding Gases 9

    6. Weld Metal Chemical Composition Requirements 10

    7. Tests Required for Classification 12

    8. Preheat, Interpass, and PWHT Temperatures 13

    9. Mechanical Property Requirements for “D” and “Q” Optional Supplemental Designators 16

    10. Procedure Requirements for “D” and “Q” Optional Supplemental Designators 16

    11. Base Metal for Test Assemblies 21

    12. Heat Input Requirements and Suggested Pass and Layer Sequence for Multiple Pass Electrode Classifications 22

    13. Diffusible Hydrogen Limits for Weld Metal 26

1. Existing A5.20/A5.20M Classifications and Equivalent A5.36/A5.36M Classifications Utilizing

   the Open Classification System 41

2. Existing A5.29/A5.29M Classifications and Equivalent A5.36/A5.36M Classifications Utilizing

   the Open Classification System 42

3. Existing A5.18/A5.18M and A5.28/A5.28M Classifications and Equivalent A5.36/A5.36M Classifications Utilizing the Open Classification System 45

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. A5.36/A5.36M Open Classification System 14

2. Test Assembly for Mechanical Properties and Soundness of Weld Metal for Welds made with

   Multiple-Pass Electrodes 18

3. Test Assembly for Transverse Tension and Longitudinal Guided Bend Tests for Welds made with

   Single-Pass Electrodes 19

4. Pad for Chemical Analysis of Deposited Weld Metal 20

5. Radiographic Standard for Test Assembly in Figure 2 24

Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Flux Cored Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding

and Metal Cored Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding

1. Scope

   1. This specification prescribes requirements for the classification of carbon and low-alloy steel flux cored electrodes for flux cored arc welding (FCAW), either with or without shielding gas, and carbon and low-alloy steel metal cored electrodes for gas metal arc welding (GMAW). This new specification replaces both AWS A5.20/A5.20M, Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding, and AWS A5.29/A5.29M, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding. It also includes provisions for the classification of carbon and low-alloy steel metal cored electrodes which previously had been classified according to AWS A5.18/A5.18M, Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding, or AWS A5.28/A5.28M, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding, as applicable. Iron is the only element of the undiluted weld metal deposited by the electrodes classified under this specification whose content exceeds 10.5%.

   2. Safety issues and concerns are addressed in this standard, although health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard. Some safety and health information can be found in nonmandatory Annex A, Clauses A5 and A10. Safety and health information is available from other sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.11 and applicable federal and state regulations.

   3. 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 A5.36 uses U.S. Customary Units. The specification A5.36M uses the International System of Units (SI). The latter are shown within brackets ([ ]) or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. Standard dimensions based on either system may be used for the sizing of electrodes or packaging or both under the A5.36 and A5.36M specifications.

      
      

2. Normative References

   The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this AWS stan- dard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to agreement based on this AWS standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the documents shown below. For undated references, the latest edition of the standard referred to applies.

   1. The following AWS standards2 are referenced in the mandatory sections of this document:

      1. AWS A1.1, Metric Practice Guide for the Welding Industry

      2. AWS A3.0M/A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions

1 ANSI Z49.1 is published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

2 AWS standards are published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.