Welding wires are classified based on the welding process they are used for, such as MIG (Metal Inert Gas) or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, and their material composition. Below are some examples of common welding wires and their AWS classifications:
1. ER70S-6 (MIG Welding Wire)
- ER: Electrode or Rod
- 70: 70,000 psi tensile strength
- S: Solid wire (used for MIG welding)
- 6: Chemical composition, with higher levels of manganese and silicon for deoxidization
Summary: ER70S-6 is a commonly used MIG welding wire with a 70,000 psi tensile strength. It’s suitable for welding mild and low-alloy steels and is known for producing a clean, strong weld with minimal spatter. It’s often used for welding dirty or rusty steel because of its high silicon and manganese content, which helps clean the weld area.
2. E71T-1 (Flux-Cored Wire)
- E: Electrode
- 7: 70,000 psi tensile strength
- 1: Suitable for all positions
- T: Tubular wire (flux-cored)
- 1: Indicates that the wire is designed for CO2 or mixed gas shielding
Summary: E71T-1 is a flux-cored wire with a 70,000 psi tensile strength, suitable for all-position welding. It’s often used in structural steel applications where deep penetration and strong welds are required. The flux core provides shielding, which reduces the need for an external shielding gas.
3. ER308L (Stainless Steel MIG/TIG Welding Wire)
- ER: Electrode or Rod
- 308: Grade of stainless steel (Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steel)
- L: Low carbon content
Summary: ER308L is a stainless steel welding wire with low carbon content, suitable for MIG or TIG welding. It’s commonly used to weld 304 or 304L stainless steel and provides excellent corrosion resistance and high strength.
4. ER4043 (Aluminum MIG/TIG Welding Wire)
- ER: Electrode or Rod
- 4043: Aluminum alloy series (Al-Si alloy)
Summary: ER4043 is an aluminum welding wire commonly used for MIG or TIG welding. It’s an Al-Si (aluminum-silicon) alloy wire that provides good corrosion resistance and is often used for welding 6xxx series aluminum alloys. It’s suitable for general-purpose aluminum welding.
5. ER5356 (Aluminum MIG/TIG Welding Wire)
- ER: Electrode or Rod
- 5356: Aluminum alloy series (Al-Mg alloy)
Summary: ER5356 is an aluminum welding wire with magnesium as its primary alloying element. It’s used for welding 5xxx series aluminum alloys and is known for its high strength and good corrosion resistance. It’s often used in marine applications and for welding aluminum structures.
6. E70C-6M (Metal-Cored Wire)
- E: Electrode
- 70: 70,000 psi tensile strength
- C: Composite or metal-cored wire
- 6: Indicates deoxidizing elements (manganese, silicon)
- M: Designed for mixed shielding gases (e.g., Argon/CO2)
Summary: E70C-6M is a metal-cored welding wire with a 70,000 psi tensile strength, used for welding mild and low-alloy steels. It’s designed for use with mixed shielding gases and is known for providing a smooth, high-deposition weld with minimal spatter, making it ideal for high-speed production welding.
7. ER309L (Stainless Steel MIG/TIG Welding Wire)
- ER: Electrode or Rod
- 309: Grade of stainless steel (used for joining dissimilar metals)
- L: Low carbon content
Summary: ER309L is a stainless steel welding wire used for MIG or TIG welding. It’s typically used to weld dissimilar metals, such as joining stainless steel to carbon steel, and provides excellent corrosion resistance with minimal carbide precipitation due to its low carbon content.
8. ERNiCrMo-3 (Nickel Alloy MIG/TIG Welding Wire)
- ER: Electrode or Rod
- Ni: Nickel-based alloy
- CrMo: Chromium-Molybdenum alloy
- 3: Alloy designation
Summary: ERNiCrMo-3 is a nickel alloy welding wire used for MIG or TIG welding. It’s designed for high-strength, corrosion-resistant welds, especially in harsh environments like chemical processing plants. It’s commonly used for welding materials such as Inconel or Hastelloy alloys.
These examples show the wide range of welding wires available, each tailored to specific materials and welding processes. The AWS classification system helps ensure that the correct wire is selected for the job, ensuring strong, reliable welds.
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