Lesson 10 - Reliability of Welding Filler Metals

© COPYRIGHT 2000 THE ESAB GROUP, INC. LESSON X RELIABILITY OF WELDING FILLER METALS 10.1 INTRODUCTION Producing a weld by the arc welding process has often been compared to steelmaking on a very small scale. The weld puddle is molten for a very short time and during that time, a number of reactions must take place between the base plate, the filler metal, and the electrode coating or shielding gas ingredients. These reactions must result in predictable mechanical properties and chemical composition of the weld metal produced by each of the great number of filler materials available. Reliable welding filler metals are the result of the proper formulation, adherence to certain codes and specifications, and the result of a good quality assurance program. 10.2 CODES, SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS The wide use of welding as a fabricating method requires that certain controls be exercised to assure the safety and protection of persons and property exposed to structures and equipment utilizing welded joints. As a result, various codes, specifications and standards have been established by technical societies and professional organizations to assure safe, sound welds. Among other things, these groups specify or recommend the base metal requirements, joint design, filler metal, welding procedures, operator qualifications, required weld tests, testing methods, and inspection of welds. 10.2.0.1 The professional technical societies or organizations have no way of enforcing the codes, specifications or standards that they prepare. However, in many instances, governing bodies of municipalities, counties, states or federal agencies may adopt all or part of these documents as law. Private industry may require that work performed under contract will conform to one or more of these codes or specifications, and therefore, they become part of a legal document. Lastly, purchase orders issued for welding materials may state that the terms are to meet a particular code or specification, and as such, these purchase orders have legal implications. 10.2.0.2 The following is a description of the major societies and organizations whose specifications and codes are widely used in the welding filler metals industry.

Lesson 1
The Basics of Arc Welding

Lesson 2
Common Electric
Arc Welding Processes

Lesson 3
Covered Electrodes for Welding
Mild Steels

Lesson 4
Covered Electrodes for Welding Low Alloy Steels

Lesson 5
Welding Filler Metals for Stainless Steels

Lesson 6
Carbon & Low Alloy
Steel Filler Metals -
GMAW,GTAW,SAW

Lesson 7
Flux Cored Arc Electrodes Carbon Low Alloy Steels

Lesson 8
Hardsurfacing Electrodes

Lesson 9
Estimating & Comparing Weld Metal Costs

Lesson 10
Reliability of Welding Filler Metals

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