AWS A5.23/A5.23M:2011

An American National Standard

Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding

AWS A5.23/A5.23M:2011

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

August 23, 2011

Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding

6th Edition

Supersedes AWS A5.23/A5.23M:2007

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 provides requirements for the classification of solid and composite carbon steel and low-alloy steel electrodes and fluxes for submerged arc welding. Electrode classification is based on chemical composition of the elec- trode for solid electrodes, and chemical composition of the weld metal for composite electrodes. Fluxes may be classified using a multiple pass classification system or a two-run classification system, or both, under this specification. Multiple pass classification is based on the mechanical properties and the deposit composition of weld metal produced with the flux and an electrode classified herein. Two-run classification is based upon mechanical properties only. Additional requirements are included for sizes, marking, manufacturing and packaging. The form and usability of the flux are also included. A guide is appended to the specification as a source of information concerning the classification system employed and the intended use of submerged arc fluxes and 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: 978-0-87171-794-8

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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 stan- dard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

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On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

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, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (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 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, 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., 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 ESAB Welding & Cutting Product

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 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

   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 Power Generation, Incorporated

   T.C. Myers American Bureau of Shipping

   C. L. Null Consultant

2. A. Pletcher CB&I, Incorporated

K.C. Pruden Hydril Company

K. Roossinck Ingalls Shipbuilding

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

M. D. Tumuluru US Steel Corporation

Advisors to the A5 Committee on Filler Metal and Allied Material

R. L. Bateman Soldaduras West Arco Limitada

J. E. Beckham Chrysler LLC

M.L. Caruso Special Metals

R. A. Daemen Consultant

C. 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

M. A. Quintana The Lincoln Electric Company

E. S. Surian National University of Lomas de Zamora

H. J. White HAYNES International

AWS A5B Subcommittee on Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding

T. Melfi, Chair The Lincoln Electric Company

R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society

H. Beck Harbert’s Products, Incorporated

H. W. Ebert Consultant

S. Francis Berg Steel Pipe Corporation

R. D. Fuchs Bohler Thyssen Welding USA, Incorporated

M. T. Merlo HyperTech Research, Incorporated

D. W. Meyer ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

T. C. Myers American Bureau of Shipping

P. J. Nicklas Sunset Metal Works

R. D. Strugar Bechtel Plant Machinery, Incorporated

R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited

Advisors to the A5B Subcommittee on Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding

D. D. Crockett Consultant

S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited

D. R. Miller ABS Americas Materials Department

D.M. Parker Consultant

1. A. Rhoades Hobart Brothers Company

   1. C. Souza Lincoln Electric do Brasil

Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS A5.23/A5.23M:2011, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding, but is included for informational purposes only.

This document is the third of the A5.23/A5.23M 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 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 weld- ing 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 tolerances, provides for inter- changeability of products in both U.S. Customary and SI Units.

This is the fifth revision of the document originally issued in 1976. That document was issued jointly by the American Welding Society and the American Society for Testing and Materials. The practice of issuing filler metal specifications as joint AWS/ASTM documents was discontinued shortly after the original version of this specification was issued. The 1976 version, published by AWS, was accepted by the American National Standards Institute as an ANSI standard. Subsequent revisions have become ANSI/AWS standards. This revision includes new classifications EB23, B23, EB24, B24, ENi6 and Ni6. Classifications Ni3, Ni5, EA1TiB, EA2TiB and B9 have been modified. EB9 has been renamed as EB91 and B9 has been renamed to B91. The dual classification restriction has been deleted. Boron (B) reporting require- ment has been added if intentionally added or found at a level greater than 0.0010%. Substantive changes are shown in italics font. The evolution took place as follows:

ANSI/AWS A5.23–76, Specification for Bare Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding; ANSI/AWS A5.23–80, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding; ANSI/AWS A5.23–90, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding; ANSI/AWS A5.23/A5.23M:1999, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding; and AWS A5.23/A5.23M:2007, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged 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.

The welding terms used in this specification shall be interpreted in accordance with the definitions given in the latest edition of AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables xi

List of Figures xi

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Classification 3

4. Acceptance 14

5. Certification 14

6. Rounding-Off Procedure 14

7. Summary of Tests 14

   1. Electrodes 14

   2. Fluxes 14

8. Retest 16

9. Weld Test Assemblies 16

   1. Requirements for Classification 16

   2. Preparation 19

   3. Weld Pad 19

   4. Groove Weld for Multiple Pass Classifications 21

   5. Butt Weld for Two-Run Classifications 22

   6. Diffusible Hydrogen 22

10. Chemical Analysis 22

11. Radiographic Test 22

12. Tension Test 23

13. Impact Test 25

14. Diffusible Hydrogen Test 25

15. Method of Manufacture 26

    1. Crushed Slags 26

16. Electrode Requirements 26

    1. Standard Sizes 26

    2. Finish and Uniformity 26

    3. Standard Package Forms 26

    4. Winding Requirements 27

    5. Electrode Identification 27

    6. Packaging 27

    7. Marking of Packages 27

       Page No.

17. Flux Requirements 27

    1. Form and Particle Size 27

    2. Usability 27

    3. Packaging 27

    4. Marking of Packages 27

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

Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding 29

Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 41

AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process 43

AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents 45

List of Tables

Table Page No.

1. A5.23 Tension Test Requirements 3

   1M A5.23M Tension Test Requirements 4

2. Impact Test Requirements 4

3. Chemical Composition Requirements for Weld Metal 9

4. Chemical Composition Requirements for Solid Electrodes 11

5. Tests Required for Classification 15

6. Welding Parameters for Multiple Pass Groove Weld Test Assembly 15

7. Welding Parameters for Two-Run Weld Test Assembly 16

8. Base Metals for Test Assemblies 20

9. Preheat, Interpass, and Postweld Heat Treatment Temperatures for Multiple Pass Classifications. 21

10. Diffusible Hydrogen Requirements 26

1. Comparison of Solid Electrode Designations 32

   
   

   List of Figures

   
   

   Figure Page No.

   1. A5.23 Multiple Pass Classification System for U.S. Customary Units 5

      1M A5.23M Multiple Pass Classification System for the International System of Units (SI) 6

   2. A5.23 Two-Run Classification System for U.S. Customary Units 7

      2M A5.23M Two-Run Classification System for the International System of Units (SI) 8

   3. Weld Pad for Chemical Analysis of Weld Metal 17

   4. Multiple Pass Groove Weld Test Assembly 18

   5. Two-Run Weld Test Assembly 19

   6. Radiographic Standards for Rounded Indications 24

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Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding

1. Scope

   1. This specification prescribes requirements for the classification of carbon steel and low-alloy steel electrodes (both solid and composite) and fluxes for submerged arc welding. Multiple pass flux–electrode classifications include requirements for low-alloy weld metal composition. Two-run flux–electrode classifications, which are also permitted under this specification, have no requirements for weld metal composition. The multiple pass classification of flux–electrode combinations for carbon steel submerged arc welding is not within the scope of this specification but remains with AWS A5.17/A5.17M, Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding.

   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 the nonmandatory Annex Clauses A5 and A10. 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 federal and state 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 weld metal properties. The specification with the designation A5.23 uses U.S. Customary Units. The specification A5.23M 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 the sizing of electrodes or packaging or both under specification A5.23 or A5.23M.

      
      

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 referenced standard applies.

   1. The following AWS standards1 are referenced in the mandatory clauses of this document: AWS A1.1, Metric Practice Guide for the Welding Industry

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

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

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