AWS A5.18/A5.

18M:2017
An American National Standard

Specification for
Carbon Steel
Electrodes and
Rods for Gas
Shielded Arc
Welding

second printing, July 2018

 AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017
An American National Standard

Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
July 11, 2017

Specification for
Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods
for Gas Shielded Arc Welding

7th Edition
Erratum: second printing, July 2018

Supersedes AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2005

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Processes

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 solid carbon steel electrodes and rods, composite
stranded carbon steel electrodes, and composite metal cored carbon steel electrodes for gas shielded arc welding. Classi-
fication is based on chemical composition of the electrode for solid electrodes and rods, chemical composition of weld
metal for composite stranded and composite metal cored electrodes and the as-welded mechanical properties of the weld
metal for each. Additional requirements are included for manufacturing, diameters, lengths, and packaging. A guide is
appended to the specification as a source of information concerning the classification system employed and the intended
use of the electrodes and rods.
This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). Since these units
are not equivalent, each system must be used independently of the other.
AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

ISBN: 978-0-87171-922-5
© 2017 by American Welding Society
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Erratum: second printing, July 2018

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 AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American
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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
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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, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

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AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

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 AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Personnel
AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials
H. D. Wehr, Chair Arcos Industries LLC
R. D. Fuchs, 2nd Vice Chair Voestalpine Böhler Welding USA, Incorporated
R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society
T. Anderson ITW—Miller Electric Manufacturing Company
J. C. Bundy Hobart Brothers Company
J. L. Caron Haynes International, Incorporated
G. L. Chouinard Stoody Company (a division of ESAB)
D. D. Crockett Consultant
R. V. Decker Weldstar
D. M. Fedor The Lincoln Electric Company
J. G. Feldstein Foster Wheeler North America
D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company
G. L. Franke Consultant
R. M. Henson Harris Products Group
S. D. Kiser Consultant
P. J. Konkol Concurrent Technologies Corporation
D. J. Kotecki Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants
L. G. Kvidahl Ingalls Shipbuilding
A. Y. Lau Canadian Welding Bureau
J. S. Lee Chevron
J. R. Logan Babcock & Wilcox
C. McEvoy Consultant
T. Melfi The Lincoln Electric Company
M. T. Merlo Select-Arc
K. M. Merlo-Joseph Apeks Supercritical
B. Mosier Polymet Corporation
T. C. Myers Oceaneering Intervention Engineering
B. A. Pletcher Select-Arc
J. D. Praster NuWeld, Incorporated
K. C. Pruden BP Americas
K. Roossinck Ingalls Shipbuilding
K. Sampath Chart Industries
J. D. Schaefer Tri Tool, Incorporated
F. A. Schweighardt Air Liquide Industrial US LP
W. S. Severance ESAB Welding & Cutting Products
M. F. Sinfield Naval Surface Warfare Center
D. Singh GE Oil & Gas
P. E. Staunton Shell EDG
R. C. Sutherlin ATI Wah Chang
R. A. Swain Euroweld, Limited
J. Zhang Indalco Alloys Incorporated of Lincoln Electric

Advisors to AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials

D. R Bajek Chicago Bridge and Iron
J. E. Beckham Chrysler Group LLC
J. M. Blackburn Naval Sea Systems Command

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AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Advisors to AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials (Continued)

K. P. Campion Carpenter Technology
D. A. DelSignore Consultant
J. DeVito Consultant
W. D. England ITW Welding North America
S. E. Ferree Consultant
R. J. Fox Hobart Brothers Company
O. Henderson Trinity Industries, Incorporated
S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Limited
S. J. Knostman Hobart Brothers Company
W. A. Marttila WAMcom Consulting LLC
R. Menon Victor Technologies
R. A. Miller Kennametal, Incorporated
M. A. Quintana The Lincoln Electric Company
M. J. Sullivan NASSCO—National Steel & Shipbuilding
M. D. Tumuluru US Steel
H. J. White PCC Energy Group

AWS A5O Subcommittee on Carbon and Low-Alloy

Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
J. C. Bundy, Chair Hobart Brothers Company
M. T. Merlo, Vice Chair Select-Arc
R. K. Gupta, Secretary American Welding Society
D. D. Crockett Consultant
R. V. Decker Weldstar
R. J. Fox Hobart Brothers Company
P. J. Konkol Concurrent Technologies Corporation
D. J. Kotecki Damian Kotecki Welding Consultants
L. L. Kuiper Graycor Services LLC
T. C. Myers Lutech Resources
V. B. Rajan The Lincoln Electric Company
K. Sampath Chart Industries
R. D. Strugar Bechtel Plant Machinery, Incorporated
D. A. Wright Consultant

Advisors to the AWS A5O Subcommittee on Carbon and Low-Alloy

Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
J. J. DeLoach, Jr. Naval Surface Warfare Center
D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company
K. W. Gerhart EWI
A. P. Gerlich University of Waterloo
S. Imaoka Kobe Steel Ltd
D. R. Miller ABS
M. P. Parekh Consultant
D. M. Parker Consultant

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 AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Foreword
This foreword is not part of this standard but is included for informational purposes only.

This document is the third of the A5.18 specifications that 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 filler materials and
fluxes — 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 interchangeability
of products in both U.S. Customary and SI Units.

This current document is the sixth revision of the initial joint ASTM/AWS document issued in 1965.

This 2017 edition includes the following substantive changes which are shown in Italic font in this document.

• A new solid electrode classification, ER70S-8 [ER49S-8], has been added for single and multiple pass applica-
tions. This electrode type has been adopted from ISO 14341 (class S11).

• Two new composite electrode classifications have been added: (1) the E70C-8X [E49C-8X] classification for
DCEN welding and (2) the E70C-12X [E49C-12X] classification which has been added to meet ASME, Section IX,
A-No. 1 weld metal chemical composition per QW-442.

• Packaging information has been replaced by the reference of AWS A5.02/A5.02M, Specification for Filler Metal
Standard Sizes, Packaging, and Physical Attributes. The use of A5.02/A5.02M will now require positive identifica-
tion of all cut length rods by imprinting, embossing, tagging, etc.

• Rounding Procedure has been revised to bring it in line with ISO procedure.

• The classification designator for the A5.18M specification was changed from ER48 and EC48 to ER49 and EC49,
along with a corresponding change in the minimum tensile strength required from 480 MPa to 490 MPa.

• B (boron) reporting requirements have been added in Tables 1 and 2.

• The GTAW groove weld test has been moved from Annex A to the body of the specification.

The composite metal cored electrodes classified in this revision of A5.18/A5.18M are also classified in the new AWS
A5.36/A5.36M, Specification for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding and Metal Cored
Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding. The A5.36/A5.36M specification utilizes a new open classification system. Com-
bining the metal cored electrodes and flux cored electrodes into a single specification is consistent with the approach
taken by ISO and other international code bodies. In addition, metal cored and flux cored electrode classifications are
both based upon weld deposit composition, unlike solid GMAW electrodes which are classified based upon electrode
composition.

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AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Document Development
The evolution took place as below:
AWS A5.18-65T Tentative Specification for Mild Steel Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding
ASTM A559-65T
AWS A5.18-69 Specification for Mild Steel Electrodes for Gas Metal Arc Welding
ANSI W3.18-1973
AWS A5.18-79 Specification for Carbon Steel Filler Metals for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
AWS A5.18-93 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2001 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2005 Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded 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, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami,
FL 33166.

Erratum
The following Erratum has been identified and is incorporated in this reprint.

Page 12, Table 6, GMAW Groove Weld Assembly Test Conditions for Solid Electrodes
Travel speed for 0.045 in [1.2 mm] size electrodes, change as below in 2nd column:
“131 in/min ± 1 in/min” to “13 in/min ± 1 in/min”

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 AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel ......................................................................................................................................................................v
Foreword.....................................................................................................................................................................vii
List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................................x
List of Tables.................................................................................................................................................................x
1. Scope.....................................................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References .........................................................................................................................................1
2.1 AWS Standards ..............................................................................................................................................1
2.2 ASTM Standards............................................................................................................................................1
2.3 ANSI Standards..............................................................................................................................................2
2.4 ISO Specifications..........................................................................................................................................2
3. Classification........................................................................................................................................................2
4. Acceptance ...........................................................................................................................................................5
5. Certification .........................................................................................................................................................5
6. Rounding Procedure ...........................................................................................................................................5
7. Summary of Tests ................................................................................................................................................6
8. Retest ....................................................................................................................................................................8
9. Weld Test Assemblies ..........................................................................................................................................8
10. Chemical Analysis .............................................................................................................................................13
11. Radiographic Test..............................................................................................................................................13
12. Tension Test........................................................................................................................................................15
13. Bend Test ............................................................................................................................................................15
14. Impact Test.........................................................................................................................................................16
15. Diffusible Hydrogen Test .................................................................................................................................16
16. Method of Manufacture....................................................................................................................................17
17. Standard Sizes ...................................................................................................................................................17
18. Finish and Uniformity.......................................................................................................................................17
19. Standard Package Forms..................................................................................................................................17
20. Winding Requirements .....................................................................................................................................17
21. Filler Metal Identification.................................................................................................................................18
22. Packaging ...........................................................................................................................................................18
23. Marking of Packages.........................................................................................................................................18
Annex A (Informative)—Guide to AWS Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes and Rods
for Gas Shielded Arc Welding ...........................................................................................19
Annex B (Informative)—Requesting an Official Interpretation on an AWS Standard ..............................................29
AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process ..........................................................................31
AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents.........................................................................................33

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AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

List of Figures
Figure Page No.
1 A5.18/A5.18M Classification System.............................................................................................................4
2 Groove Weld Test Assembly for Mechanical Properties and Soundness........................................................9
3 Weld Test Assembly for Transverse Tension and Longitudinal Guided Bend Tests ....................................10
4 Pad for Chemical Analysis of Weld Metal from Composite Electrodes .......................................................11
5 Radiographic Acceptance Standards.............................................................................................................14

List of Tables
Table Page No.
1 Chemical Composition Requirements for Solid Electrodes and Rods............................................................3
2 Chemical Composition Requirements for Weld Metal from Composite Electrodes ......................................5
3 Required Tests .................................................................................................................................................6
4 Mechanical Property Requirements (As-Welded)...........................................................................................7
5 Base Metal for Test Assemblies ....................................................................................................................11
6 GMAW Groove Weld Assembly Test Conditions for Solid Electrodes........................................................12
7 GTAW Groove Weld Assembly Test Conditions for Solid Rods..................................................................12
8 Diffusible Hydrogen Limits for Weld Metal .................................................................................................16

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 AWS A5.18/A5.18M:2017

Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes

and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
1. Scope
1.1 This specification prescribes requirements for the classification of carbon steel electrodes (solid, composite stranded,
and composite metal cored) and rods (solid) for gas metal arc (GMAW), gas tungsten arc (GTAW), and plasma arc
(PAW) welding. Rod is understood to include both cut lengths and spooled wires for GTAW or PAW.
1.2 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 A5.18 uses U.S. Customary
Units. The specification A5.18M 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 sizing of electrodes or packaging or both
under the A5.18 or A5.18M specifications.
1.3 Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard; some safety and health information is
provided, but such issues are not fully addressed herein. Some safety and health information can be found in Annex
Clauses A5 and A10.
Safety and Health information is available from the following sources:
American Welding Society:
(1) ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes
(2) AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets
(3) Other safety and health information on AWS website
Material or Equipment Manufacturers:
(1) Safety Data Sheets supplied by materials manufacturers
(2) Operating Manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers
(3) Applicable federal and state regulations
Work performed in accordance with this standard may involve the use of materials that have been deemed hazardous,
and may involve operations or equipment that may cause injury or death. This standard does not purport to address all
safety and health risks that may be encountered. The user of this standard should establish an appropriate safety program
to address such risks as well as to meet applicable regulatory requirements. ANSI Z49.1 should be considered when
developing the safety program.

2. Normative References
The documents listed below are referenced within this publication and are mandatory to the extent specified herein. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply. For dated references, subsequent amend-
ments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply.
2.1 AWS Standards
AWS A3.0M/A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, Including Terms for Adhesive Bonding, Brazing,
Soldering, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying
AWS A4.3, Standard Methods for Determination of the Diffusible Hydrogen Content of Martensitic, Bainitic, and
Ferritic Steel Weld Metal Produced by Arc Welding
AWS A5.01M/A5.01 (ISO 14344 MOD), Welding Consumables—Procurement of Filler Metals and Fluxes
AWS A5.02/A5.02M:2007, Specification for Filler Metal Standard Sizes, Packaging, and Physical Attributes