Welding Filler Metal per ASME SFA 5.XX

Download Filler Metal Classification Handout

FILLER METAL CLASSIFICATION

Welding Filler Metal Classifications consist of an alpha-numeric identification system which provides details for the type of electrode, tensile strength, welding position, type of current, impact toughness, chemical composition, as well as hydrogen adsorption in some cases. The classification includes mandatory and optional supplemental designators which are defined in the associated filler metal specification contained within AWS A5.XX or ASME Section II Part C.

Welding Rods, Electrodes, Filler Metals, and Fluxes are organized into a two tier categorization system; the Specification is the primary level and Classification is the secondary level of the system. The Classification is discussed in this article, and the full Specification article can be found at the following link (button) with a brief summary below.

Filler Metal Specification Blog Article

FILLER METAL SPECIFICATION

Welding Filler Metal Specifications group filler metals into similar material types and/or welding processes. The specification primarily contains general requirements, classifications, classification designators, chemical composition ranges, destructive mechanical testing requirements, and non-destructive requirements. For any filler metal to be certified, packaged, and sold under the relevant specification it must meet all applicable requirements listed in the specification.

The following table demonstrates the specification and a sampling of the classifications contained within it.

ASME Filler Metal Specification and Classification

HISTORICAL PRECEDENCE

1935: AWS - ASTM Joint Committee on Filler Metal was organized to provide standard filler metal specifications for the developing U.S. industry.

1969: The AWS-ASTM Joint Committee is dissolved and the AWS takes over sole responsibility for creating and maintaining the specifications, and classifications for welding rods, electrodes, filler metal, and flux.

FILLER METAL CODE STANDARDS

The American Welding Society (AWS) publishes the filler metal specifications under their series of A5.XX standards

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) re-publishes the AWS specifications under the series of SFA5.XX standards in ASME Section II Part C.

"S" indicates the specification has been adopted by ASME
"F" indicates the specification covers Filler metals
"A" indicates the specification was adopted from AWS

The following is an excerpt from ASME Section II Part C, which is an example of the adoption of the AWS A5 specification by the ASME code committee.

‍FILLER METAL PROCUREMENT

When specifying filler metals on Welding Procedures, or for procurement, both the specification and classification should be used. For details on guidelines for procurement of welding rods, electrodes, filler metals, and flux reference AWS A5.01 or ASME SFA 5.01.

FILLER METAL LISTED IN QW-404 ON ASME WPS

The following is an excerpt from the filler metal portion of a welding procedure (WPS) detailing how the Specification, Classification, F-Number, A-Number, and UNS Number are associated, and used to define the characteristics of the filler metal to be used.

ASME SECTION II PART C SPECIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION FIGURES

The following images detail the specification and classification details of the most commonly used filler metals, and fluxes. Each of the images are downloadable for reference or inclusion in training materials.