Duragal Easy Welding Guide PDF

DURAGAL ®
Easy Welding
Guide
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
DuraGal® and Profile products.
INTENT OF THIS PUBLICATION

The intent of this publication is to provide
general guidance and hints on joint preparation,
consumable selection and indicative machine
settings for the welding and fabrication
of DuraGal® Hollow Sections and Profiles.
For structures designed in accordance with
AS 4100 and AS/NZS 4600, compliance with the
requirements of the relevent parts and clauses
of AS/NZS 1554 must be followed. Any advice
contained in this publication must be confirmed by
the establishment of welding procedures for GP or
SP category welds as required by the designer.
Information on welding consumables has been
provided by the consumable suppliers as listed in
various sections of this publication. While current
at the time of publication, they may change
without notice, and users of this publication should
check with the individual consumable supplier for
alternatives in the event that an item is no longer
available.
DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

2 EFFECTIVE FROM: AUGUST 2013 | CANCELS PREVIOUS GUIDES | APPLICABLE FOR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
THE FAMILY OF DURAGAL® PRODUCTS
This guide applies to welding techniques for low carbon steel (CE≤0.39) used in the DuraGal® Hollow
Sections and Profiles.
These sections, with their lustrous, thin, evenly applied zinc and zinc aluminium coatings are as readily
welded as black steel. Using this guide will assist in achieving the best possible appearance and the
highest quality welds with minimum spatter and fuming.
Table of Contents
THE ADVANTAGES OF DURAGAL® 4
WELDING HINTS 4
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 4
PREPARING JOINTS FOR WELDING 5

Preparing joints in Rectangular and Square Hollow Sections 5
Preparing joints in Circular Hollow Sections 6
FATIGUE 7
ATM technical advice available 7
WELD SIZE 7
Reduce the size of the weld to a minimum 7
Don’t increase the heat to weld DuraGal® 7
Preheating is unnecessary 7
RECOMMENDED WELDING MACHINE SETTINGS AND CONSUMABLES 8

Introduction 8
Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW) “Stick” 9
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) “Mig” 12
Gas Metal Arc Welding — Pulsed “Manual” 17
Gas Metal Arc Welding — Pulsed “Robotic” 18
Gas Metal Arc Welding — Spray tansfer 18
Flux Cored Arc Welding 20
AS NZS ISO 17632 Designation 20
Welding Gas Comparisons 23
Nozzle Spatter Comparison 23
Recommended electrodes for DuraGal® Sections 24
WELDING FUME 25
LEAD AND YOUR HEALTH 25

Leadsafe™ — the way to a clean, green and safe environment
REFERENCES 26
This welding guide was prepared with the assistance of the Welding Technology Institute of Australia.

EFFECTIVE FROM: AUGUST 2013 | CANCELS PREVIOUS GUIDES | APPLICABLE FOR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 3
THE ADVANTAGES OF the welding and fabrication of DuraGal® and profile
sections to assist the welder in achieving excellent
DURAGAL® results.
Australian Tube Mills has produced and marketed The advice is based on research, practical tests
in-line galvanised (ILG) steel hollow sections and field experience, and is supplementary to
(rectangular, square and circular) since the 1970’s. information given in design codes. Fabrications
Galtube Plus® hollow sections were first produced used in structural applications should have weld
with the range being extended to DuraGal® hollow sized in accordance with the requirements of
sections in 1990, and profiles in 1994. AS 4100 — Structural Steel or AS/NZS 4600 —
Cold Formed Steel Structures. The joints should
These sections have been successfully fabricated
be prepared, and welds should be deposited in
and welded, and many customers have praised the
accordance with their requirements of AS/NZS
ILG sections for the cost reduction provided by the
1554.1 — Welding of steel structures, and AS/NZS
surface coating.
1554.5 — Welding of steel structures subjected to
The thin, even coating of zinc on DuraGal® and high levels of fatigue loading.
zinc aluminium on profiles means welding can be
For structural applications, the advice contained
carried out safely and with minimum fuming if
in the manual must be confirmed by the
suitable procedures are followed.
establishment of welding procedures for SP, GP or
The application of a clear passivation treatment FP category welds, as required by the designer.
to any of the DuraGal® Products not only improves
Information on welding consumables has been
weldability and increases weld metal deposition
provided by consumable suppliers as listed in
rates, but allows most spatter that does remain on
the various sections of this publication, they may
the fabrication to be easily wiped off.
change without notice, and users of this publication
DuraGal® clean smooth zinc coating allows instant should check with the individual consumable
work return connection (earthing) to complete the supplier for alternatives in the event that an item is
welding circuit. discontinued.
Further information on DuraGal® can be The machine settings provided in this manual can
found on the Australian Tube Mills website be used as a starting point to allow the tuning to
at www.austubemills.com. consumables and personal preferences.
WELDING HINTS GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The most common issues experienced in the CHS Circular hollow sections (pipe).
welding of the DuraGal® Hollow Sections and Profile
Electrode The length of electrode projecting
products have been:
stick out beyond the region of current pick-up
• “Burn through” or melting holes in the thinner during welding, also known as the
wall sections contact tip to work distance (CTWD).
• Visible “worm holes” and internal porosity FCAW Flux cored arc welding.
and/or unacceptable weld appearance
Flat Butt A butt weld joining two plates
• Zinc vaporisation (explosions) and spatter. that are horizontal.
Just a little extra care in joint preparation, slight GMAW Gas metal arc welding — commonly
changes in the welding technique, and the known as MIG welding.
selection of correct consumables and machine
settings can help avoid these common welding H-fillet Horizontal fillet — A fillet weld that
problems. has one leg on the upper side of an
approximately horizontal surface and
This publication provides general guidance and the other leg butting an approximately
practical hints on joint preparation, consumable vertical surface.
selection and indicative machine settings for

ILG In-line hot-dip galvanised. • The careful selection of welding electrode
diameters to avoid the use of over-size
L0 A charpy impact tested steel hollow
electodes that may result in a lack of weld
section to AS/NZS 1163.
penetration.
MMAW Manual metal arc welding — commonly
Research1 has found that for MMAW a minimum
known as stick welding.
root gap “G” of 4.0mm, and for GMAW a minimum
Profiles Steel open sections, angle channels root gap “G” of 3.0mm is required to allow
and flats. electrode access to deposit sound quality welds.
The details of gap “G” are shown in Figure 1.
RHS Rectangular hollow section.
SHS Square hollow section.
t1
WTIA Welding Technology
Institute of Australia. BRACE SECTION
PREPARING JOINTS
FOR WELDING G
Surfaces and edges to be welded need to be CHORD SECTION
uniform, free from burrs and other contaminants

such as grease or other foreign matter that would to
prevent proper welding taking place.
Figure 1 — Chord to branch connections.

PREPARING JOINTS IN RECTANGULAR AND
SQUARE HOLLOW SECTIONS The research was conducted on chord sections
with thicknesses of 6 and 9mm, and brace
It is common practice to use smaller brace
members with thicknesses of 4, 5, 6 and 9mm.
members than chord members in welded tubular
MMAW was undertaken with electrodes of 3.25 and
construction, and in this instance joint fit-up is
4.00mm diameter, and for GMAW 0.9 and 1.2mm
straight forward. The end of the smaller member
diameter filler wire was used.
is butted to the face of the larger chord and a fillet
weld is made around the thinner member.
RHS or SHS branches welded to RHS or SHS
chords of the same width require a combination
butt/fillet weld to make the connection. A butt
weld is used to attach the branch along the corner G
of the chord.
In cases where a 1.6 or 2.0mm branch is welded to
a 4.5 or 6mm chord, and where a 3.0mm branch
is welded to a 5 or 6mm thick chord, joint fit-up
requires more care and attention as the corner (a) PROFILED BRACE (b) SQUARE CUT BRACE
radius of the chord member may lead to a large

root gap requiring special techniques that can
involve: Figure 2 — Chord to branch gap details
• Special branch end profiling

• Successive runs “buttering’ on the corner radii
of the chord to close the gap
• The use of backing strips

Table 1 gives values of gap “g” required to provide Careful joint fit-up, with minimal gaps, has the
the dimensions “G” determined in research1 for following advantages:
the DuraGal® RHS and SHS sizes covered by the • Reduced weld metal volumes
research1. For structural welds, AS/NZS 1554.1
and AS/NZS 1554.5 should be referred to for joint • Increased welding speeds
preparation requirements. • Lower welding costs
• Elimination of burn through on thinner
Chord Branch Gap Dimension g (mm)
sections
Thickness MMAW (stick) GMAW (MIG)
• Reduced visible and internal porosity
t0 t1 (mm) t1 (mm)
• Less zinc burn back and thus less fuming.
mm 4.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
6.0 1 1 2 0 0 1
PREPARING JOINTS IN CIRCULAR
Table 1 — Gap dimensions “g” for equal width RHS chord to
branch connections to give a minimum root gap “G” of 4.0mm
HOLLOW SECTIONS
for MMAW, and a minimum root gap “G” of 3.0mm for GMAW.
Fully profile the branch tube to fit the mating part.
Typically, when 1.6 and 2.0mm thick branches are This option is the most aesthetically pleasing and
welded to a 4, 5 or 6mm thick chord and where a structurally the strongest.
3.0mm thick branch is welded to a 5 or 6mm thick
chord, this results in a larger root gap to be filled.
Commonly two or more passes are deposited in
the root. Firstly one or more buttering runs are
deposited with the welding electrode or wire
aimed at the corner of the chord to reduce the
gap, then a root run is deposited to bridge the gap,
again with the welding electrode or wire aimed at
the corner of the chord rather than at the end of
the branch.
Then the fillet welds are deposited on the other Figure 4 — CHS profile branch to chord connection.
sides of the branch. Finally the finishing passes
Specialised profiling machines can automate this
are deposited on the butt welds. This procedure
joint preparation. Some CAD software can prepare
minimises distortion and produces the best
paper templates for CHS joining.
possible appearance at the corners. Details of
the welding sequence are given in Figure 3. A similar result to the previous method, but
with less perfect fit-up suitable for general non-
structural applications, such as gates, can be
Aim wire
more at
rox.
App mm WELD HERE:
achieved by notching. Proprietry equipment for
2
20–2
corner 2nd this purpose, both manual and powered can be
purchased in Australia. These simple machines
BUTT WELD
ROOT RUN can usually be used for concentric “T” joints.
Specialised equipment can be purchased to
process larger tube sizes and/or for “Y”s and all
Approx.
15–18mm
non-concentric joints.
WELD HERE:
BUTT WELD 1st — root run
FINISHING PASS 3rd — finishing pass
Figure 3 — Chord to branch welding sequence.
If a MIG welding machine is used, increasing the

electrode stick out for the root run to 20 to 22mm
(instead of the normal 12 to 18mm) reduces the
chances of burn through. Figure 5 — CHS notched branch to chord connection.

When notching, ensure that gaps are minimised • For a butt weld, when the tensile load in the
and not greater that 3mm. In the case of the V thinnest component is above 60% of the
notch above, the angle of the apex will change component’s capacity.
according to the diameter of the pipe being joined. • The electrode filler wire is of lower strength
Flattened, partially flattened, and shear flattened than the component being weIded
ends are methods of acheiving good joint fit-up. All • One or some of the components of the
three reduce the structural capacity of the CHS to fabrication are of lower strength than the
some extent. thinnest.
Don’t increase the heat to weld The

Family of DuraGal® Products.
The instinctive reaction of some welders, when
required to weld galvanised steel, is to substantially
increase the voltage and/or amperage to burn
away the zinc coating.
Partially Fully Shear Australian Tube Mills world leading ILG process
Flattened Flattened Flattened
ensures that welding DuraGaI® Hollow Sections and
Profiles is as easy as welding uncoated steel. Only
Figure 6 — CHS flattened end branch to chord connection. a small increase in weld heat is required to weld
DuraGal® Hollow Sections and Profiles.
FATIGUE Not ”turning up the heat” on DuraGal® and profiles

will result in the following advantages:
Australian Tube Mills has commissioned • Reduced zinc vaporisation (explosions)
research into the fatigue performance of welded
connections in DuraGal® Hollow Sections and • Reduced spatter
Profile sections. Upon request, ATM can provide • Elimination or reduction of visible and
advice on joint preparation and predicted fatigue internal porosity
life for welded connections in DuraGal® products.
• Minimal fuming
• Minimal burn back of the zinc coating.
WELD SIZE A testing program carried out in conjunction with
WTIA, BOC GASES and the Co-Operative Research
REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE WELD Centre for Welded Structures using the GMAW
TO A MINIMUM welding process has shown that, compared to
black steel, a 0.5 to 2 volt increase is enough to
It can be wasteful to deposit welds with design maintain a given arc Iength if welding speed is kept
throat thickness greater than the thickness of the constant.
thinner part being joined.
The advantages of minimising weld sizes are: Preheating is unnecessary
• Reduced production costs All of Australian Tube Mills steel sections, including
• Reduced consumable use the ILG types, are made from steels with carbon
equivalents (GE) less than or equal to 0.39.
• Reduced fuming and zinc burn back
Economical joints made from these steels do not
• Reduced distortion. require preheat. Of course welding should generally
not be carried out when the metal temperature is
It may be necessary to use a weld with a greater
below O˚C or if the surface is damp.
design throat thickness than the thinnest
component. This is likely to occur when:
• For a fillet weld, when the tensile load in the
thinnest component is above 40% of the
component’s capacity.

RECOMMENDED WELDING
MACHINE SETTINGS AND
CONSUMABLES
The following tables and data sheets in each
section set out the initial welding parameters that
should be an adequate starting point for most
operators.
Explanation of Gas Metal ARC and

Flux Cored welding terms.
Voltage
The voltages are working voltages, measured
between the current pick-up for torch at the wire
feed block and the welding workpiece.
Current
The current given in the data sheets is dependent
on wire feed rates, voltage and electrode stick out.
Electrode stick out

The electrode stick out is taken to be equal to the
dstance between the Contact Tip to Workpiece
distance (CTWD) for currents at or below 200
Amps except in pulsed tranfer welding. In the data
sheets values between 12 to 18mm are used.
With conventional GMAW power sources an
increase in electrode stick out at a given voltage
setting will cause a reduction in the current.
Inductance
Where adjustable, higher inductance gives slightly
lower spatter and increased heat input, if set too
high a wire “Stubbing”’ effect may occur.
New Generation Power Sources

Power sources offering “improved dip transfer”
may be beneficial in providing low spatter stable
transfer under CO2 shielding gas.
Some units are optimised for GMAW with coated
steels, whilst others use special control waveforms
to enhance performance.
Most leading manufacturers can provide assistance
on whether they have machines in this category.

MANUAL METAL ARC WELDING (mmaw) — “STICK”
For Strength
For increased strength use E49XX rather than
E43XX electrodes.
For Strength, charpy impact

performance and crack resistance
For strength and/or Charpy impact performance
use low hydrogen electrodes conforming to AS/
NZS 4855 E4918-2 or AS/NZS 1553.1 - E4916-2.
See the comparison table on the following page.
This type of electrode requires the attention of a
more experienced welder than the AS/NZS 4855
E4312-0 type, mentioned in the previous section,
and may produce a little more spatter.
Better fit-up may be required.
The Recommended electrode

Diameter Depends on the Thickness
of the DuraGal® Product
Use the Right Type of Electrode The preferred electrode diameters are set out in
‘Recommended Welding Machine Settings and
Most General Purpose (GP) rods suit DuraGal® Consumables’.
products including profile sections. Refer to the
chart on the next page. During the testing carried out in conjunction
with manufacturers of electrodes to develop the
recommended welder settings, 1.6mm to 5.0mm
For Superior Appearance
thick DuraGal® products were welded using 2.5mm
Use AS/NZS 4855 E4312 electrodes. This type of and 3.2mm diameter electrodes at low power
electrode is ‘all positional’ and will give a smooth settings. This combination of readily available
weld with no visible porosity. The fluid slag and consumables and low power settings is preferred,
softer arc action of these electrodes allow the but in the hands of an inexperienced welder
gases formed during welding to escape into the welding thin wall steel sections, may result in
slag before the weld solidifies. undercut which will reduce joint strength and make
the slag harder to detach.
These electrodes give welds with a minimum yield
strength of 350 MPa. These electrodes will only Less experienced welders may find it easier to
be suitable for welding joints in 450 MPa DuraGal use a smaller diameter electrode, (when available
fabrications when the loads to be carried are lower in the required AS/NZS 4855 or AS/NZS 1553.1
than the allowable capacity of the weld group. classification), such as 2.0mm, to weld the thinner
ILG sections until they have refined their technique.
When GP electrodes cannot give a suitable
joint capacity, use the electrodes suggested in
the next section.

MMAW WELDING CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS
Classification
LINCOLN
AS/NZS 4855 AS/NZS BOC CIGWELD LiquidArc WIA Comments
ELECTRIC
1553.1
B E4311 A E4112-0 Smootharc 12 GP 6012, EasyArc Medium strength, good appearance
Murex Speedex 12 Supa 12
B E4312A Supa Medium strength, good appearance

Easyarc 6012
B E4313 A Ferrocraft 12XP Pantafix Austarc 12P Medium strength, good appearance
Satincraft 13 Easyarc 6013 Austarc 13S
B E4313 F E4113-0 Smootharc 13 EasyArc Medium strength

Supa 13
B E4303 A U E4113-2 Weldcraft Medium strength, good impact
B E4914 A U E4814-2 Ferrocraft 21 High strength, high deposition and

good impact suitable for L0 material
B E4916 A U H5R ConArc 51 Higher strength, very low hydrogen,

coating resistant to moisture pick up
B E4916 A U H10 E4816-2 H10 Ferrocraft EasyArc Higher strength, good impact, low
16 Twincoat Supa 16 hydrogen
Ferrocraft 55U
B E4916 A U H10 E4816-3 H10 Ferrocraft 7016 Higher strength, good impact, low
hydrogen
E4816-4 H10 Austarc 16TC Higher strength, better impact, low

hydrogen
E4816-4 H5 Smootharc 16 Higher strength, better impact, very

low hydrogen
B E4916 A U H5R E4816-4 H5 Conarc® 51 Higher strength, better impact, very

low hydrogen, coating resistant to
moisture pick up
B E4918 A U H10 E4818-2 H5 EasyArc High strength, good impact, low

Supa 18 hydrogen, higher deposition & easier
to use than E4816 types
B E4918 A U H10 E4818-3 H10 Ferrocraft 61 High strength, good impact, low
hydrogen, higher deposition & easier
B E4918-1 A U H5 E4818-4 H5 Smootharc 18 Jetweld LH-70 High strength, better impact, very
Conarc® 49C low hydrogen, higher deposition &
easier to use than E4816 types
B E4918-2 A E4818-5 H5R Ferrocraft 61 H4 Austarc 77 High strength, best impact, low
U H5 hydrogen, higher deposition & easier
B E4918 A U H5R E4818-5 H5 Austarc 18TC High strength, good impact, very
low hydrogen, coating resistant to
moisture pick up, higher deposition &
easier to use than E4816 types
B E4924 A E4824-0 Smootharc 24 Ferrocraft 22 Ferrod 185T EasyArc Austarc 24 High strength, fast down hand
Supa 24 welding
B E4924 A E4824-2 Ferrod 135T High strength, good impact, fast

Ferrod 165A down hand welding

Hints for selection of Hint 5 — E4914 electrodes offer higher strength,
appropriate electrodes higher deposition rates, can be used in all positions
and are more tolerant to poor fit-up. They have a
Hint 1 — E4312, E4313 and E4918 electrodes less penetrating arc than E4312, E4313 or E4918
operate with a quiet, medium penetrating arc with types.
low spatter.
Hint 6 — For Charpy impact performance choose
Hint 2 — E4916 electrodes operate with a quiet, an electrode with a E4 XXX XXX X 0, E4 XXX
medium penetrating arc with globular transfer of XXX X 2, E4 XXX XXX X 3, E4 XXX XXX X 4, E4
metal from the electrode to the weld pool and XXX XXX X 5 or E4 XXX XXX X 6 classification.
medium spatter.
Hint 7 — E4916 and E4918 electrodes are known
Hint 3 — E4312 electrodes are noted for general as low hydrogen and are recommended on heavier
ease of handling in all weld positions and an sections where cracking of the weld metal or heat
ability to bridge gaps in work having poor fit-up. affected zone may occur. These electrodes require
Some may be suitable for vertical down welding. careful conditioning and a higher skill level to get
Hint 4 — E4313 electrodes have similar best results.
characteristics to E4312 electrodes but more Hint 8 — If using EXX16 or EXX18 electrodes
suitable for welding in the vertical up and overhead Low Hydrogen types) a d.c. output machine is
positions. recommended.
SETTINGS — TYPICAL FOR AS/NZS 1553.1 E4312 and E4313 electrodes

Wall Weld Electrode Weld Arc Current Travel Heat
Thickness type size size Volts Amps Speed Input
mm mm mm V A mm/min KJ/mm
1.6 Fillet 2.0 3.0 24 50 190 0.38
1.6 Butt 2.0 1.6 24 50 135 0.53
1.6 Fillet 2.5 3.2 24 70 265 0.38
1.6 Butt 2.5 1.6 24 75 205 0.53
3.2 Fillet 3.2 4.8 24 105 155 0.98
3.2 Butt 3.2 3.2 24 115 110 1.5
5.0 Fillet 3.2 7 24 130 90 2.08
5.0 Butt* 3.2 5.0 24 130 140 1.37
5.0 Fillet 4.0 7 24 150 105 2.08
5.0 Butt* 4.0 5.0 24 170 160 1.37
* Two runs required
SETTINGS — Typical for AS/NZS 1553.1 E4914 AND E4918 electrodes

Wall Weld Electrode Weld Arc Current Travel Heat
Thickness type size size Volts Amps Speed Input
mm mm mm V A mm/min KJ/mm
1.6 Fillet 2.5 3.2 24 75 310 0.35
1.6 Butt 2.5 1.6 24 75 272 0.42
3.2 Fillet 3.2 4.8 24 105 195 0.78
3.2 Butt 3.2 3.2 24 115 140 1.20
5.0 Fillet 3.2 7 24 120 105 1.66
5.0 Butt* 3.2 5.0 24 125 150 1.22
5.0 Fillet 4.0 7 24 150 130 1.66
5.0 Butt* 4.0 5.0 24 170 200 1.22
* Two runs required

GAS METAL ARC WELDING (Gmaw) — “MIG”
Use the right type of wire Welding Grade CO2 may lead to high spatter levels
and may be impracticable for thinner sections.
The recommended wires for GMAW Welding are
AS/NZS 2717.1 ES4 or ES6 types. These are AS/NZS Argon based mixed shielding gases with high
2717.1 ES4-GX-W502XHx or ES6-GX-W502XHx CO2, typically 15 to 25% CO2, whilst still suitable
specification wires and their performance will for welding black and painted material, are
exceed that required to make use of the strength recommended for most applications because of
and L0 properties of DuraGal® Hollow Sections and their versatility, wide operating envelope, reduced
Profiles. spatter and high weld speed capacity. Spatter
levels with these mixed gases are very low due
Note: Generally, W503XHx wires are more readily available and
can be used in place of the W4502XHx wire. to increased arc stability. Weld appearance is
excellent, and weld internal porosity is generally
low.
The recommended wire
diameter is 0.9mm Argon based mixed shielding gases with less than
15% CO2 are very widely used, primarily for welding
Testing at manufacturers facilities has shown
black steel. Experienced welders can achieve welds
that 0.9mm wire reduces spatter and the risk of
of excellent appearance with a weld quality suitable
porosity while still allowing economical welding
for many applications when fabricating DuraGal®
rates. Using this diameter wire decreases the
products.
amp to volt ratio which gives increased weld pool
fluidity, reduced weld pool depth to width ratio and
thus allows more time for gases to escape from the When MIG welding, a handpiece lead
pool. angle of 20o, is recommended
Note: For larger weld beads 1.2mm wire can be used but Testing has shown that inclining the MIG handpiece
spatter and porosity levels may increase. 20o, with the wire pointing in the direction of travel,
known as forehand welding, substantially reduces
porosity and nozzle cleaning frequency. For fillet
welds the lateral angle should be between 40o and
50o.
40˚– 50˚
20˚
For DuraGal® the preferred gas is an

Argon + CO2 mix (up to 25% CO2)
Australian Tube Mills, through practical experience
in the use of ILG hollow sections in its own
manufacturing operations, has found that welding
grade CO2 reduces the likelihood of visible and
internal porosity when welding DuraGal® products.
This has been confirmed by independent testing by
gas and consumable manufacturers.

(DIP OR SHORT ARC TRANSFER)
GMAW WELDING CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS

AS/NZS 14341 AS/NZS 2717.1 Shielding
BOC CIGWELD LINCOLN LiquidArc WIA Comments
Classification Classification Gas
B-G49A 3 C1 S4 ES4-GC-W503AH Welding Autocraft LW1 UltraMag S4 Steelultramig S4 Austmig ES4 Suitable for all DuraGal® products
Grade — welding using CO2 shielding
CO2 for lowest porosity levels
B-G49A 3 M20 S4 ES4-GM-W503AH Argon Autocraft LW1 UltraMag S4 Steelultramig S4 Austmig ES4 Suitable for all DuraGal® products
+15% – — welding using shielding for
25% CO2 lowest spatter levels
B-G49A 3 C1 S4 ES6-GC-W503AH Welding BOC Mild Autocraft LW1-6 UltraMag S6 Steelultramig S6 Austmig ES6 Suitable for all DuraGal® products
Grade Steel MIG — welding using shielding for
CO2 Wire lowest porosity levels
B-G49A 3 M20 S6 ES6-GM-W503AH Argon BOC Mild Autocraft LW1-6 UltraMag S6 Steelultramig S6 Austmig ES6 Suitable for all DuraGal® products
+15% – Steel MIG — welding using shielding for
25% CO2 Wire lowest spatter levels
Hints for selection of appropriate Hint 7 — Oxygen when added to Argon + CO2
electrodes and shielding gas mixtures in amounts up to 7% stabilises the arc
and reduces the surface tension, helping to prevent
Hint 1 — ES4 – provides adequate strength and undercut on the edge of fillet welds and improves
deoxidation in most applications and can be used appearance. However oxygen reduces the ease
with either welding grade CO2 or Argon + CO2 of use for positional work because of the reduced
shielding. surface tension. A straight Ar + CO2 would be
Hint 2 — ES6 – for highest quality welding using better for positional work.
welding grade CO2 shielding – has the highest Hint 8 — AS/NZS 2717.1 group M1 & M2 gases (see
combination of manganese and silicon, permitting page 23) are generally more suited to thinner
high penetration sound welds even on relatively sections or positional welding, where minimal
poor (rusty) surfaces. spatter is important and deep penetration is not
Hint 3 — For optimal results, use the wire necessary. Porosity levels may be higher.
manufacturers recommended shielding gas The gases in these groups can operate in spray
mixtures. transfer, dip transfer or globular transfer modes.
Hint 4 — Welding grade CO2 has a C Group Argon mixtures with M1 classification provide the
classification and provides the deepest and least penetration, increasing the amount of carbon
broadest pentration pattern, used only for thicker dioxide or oxygen or both, increases the depth and
sections, it reduces the likelihood of visible and width of penetration.
internal porosity. Low cost, but narrowest operating
range. Spatter levels are high compared to Argon Hint 9 — AS/NZS 2717.1 group M3 & C gases
based mixed gases. (see page 23) are generally employed for highest
penetration applications and for positional welding
Hint 5 — Select Argon + CO2 (15-25%) where with heavier sections using the dip transfer
reduced spatter is important but good penetration technique. GMAW Spray transfer applications
is needed. Internal porosity is generally low. Usually are unacheivable with M3 or C group gases.
the best choice for thicker material. The useful
operating range is increased within this range of Hint 10 — Argon + Carbon Dioxide + Helium
CO2 levels. For best results a Argon + CO2 content mixtures while more expensive, provide for very
of 25% should not be exceeded. favourable heat input, wide weld bead profile and
penetration. Welding speeds can be very high, and
Hint 6 — Argon based gases with less than 15% this can have economincal advantages over lower
CO2 are widely used in the welding of black steel. cost gases.
Experienced welders can achieve welds of excellent
appearance with these gases when fabricating the
thinner profile sections.

GMAW with Silicon Bronze Filler Wire Note: AWS/ASME-SFA A5.7 ERCuSi-A Silicon Bronze filler wire
typically has material yield strength of 170 MPa and tensile
— Also known as MIG brazing strength of 380 MPa, compared with AS/NZS 2717.1 W502XH
electrode wire with yield strength of 390 MPa and tensile
GMAW with Silicon Bronze filler wire (AWS A5.7
strength of 500 MPa. Typical settings: 0.9mm wire, 18 V, 100
ERCuSi-A) gives very good results on zinc coated Amps, 6.75mm/min Wire Feed Speed, 385mm/min Travel
steel especially for joining thin walled (≤1.6mm) Speed, Electrode stick out 12mm, Shielding gas (Argon +5%
sections. This type of wire is used extensively in CO2+ 2 to 3% O2)
the automotive and fencing industries and is used
where 100% joint efficiency IS NOT required. MIG (GMAW) – SteeL Filler Wire with
shielding gases
The benefits are lower heat input, less coating
damage and excellent corrosion performance. Material DuraGal® RHS
0.9mm diameter wire is normally recommended Joint Type Butt Fillet
and this may be operated with conventional Position Flat Butt Horizontal
GMAW power sources in the range 100 to 200
Polarity Electrode +ve
Amps at 18 to 25 volts under Argon or (Argon
Wire Type AS/NZS 2717.1 ES4/6-GC/M-503AH
+ 1 to 2% O2) or (Argon + 5% CO2 + 2 to 3% O2
shielding). Wire Diameter 0.9mm
Gas Flow Rate 15 l/min
Electrode stick out 12 to 18mm (CTWD)
Welding Method Dip Transfer
Data Sheet 1 of 12
Power Source: Conventional MIG
Shielding Gas: Welding Quality Carbon Dioxide
Wall Fillet leg Wire Feed Amps Working Travel Speed Heat input
thickness mm length mm Speed m/min Volts mm/min kJ/mm
1.6 3.5 2.7 66 18.00 255 0.28
25 3.4 78 19.75 212 0.44
35 4.3 99 20.25 237 0.51
57 5.6 120 23.25 212 0.79
Data Sheet 2 of 12
Shielding Gas: Argon + 23 to 25% Carbon Dioxide
1.6 4 3.9 84 18.25 365 0.25
2 4 3.2 72 17.75 237 0.32
3 5 5.8 129 18.75 250 0.58
5 6 10.1 186 24.25 273 0.99
Data Sheet 3 of 12
Shielding Gas: Argon + 16 to 18% Carbon Dioxide + 2 to 2.5% Oxygen
1.6 4 3.8 81 18.75 332 0.27
2 4 3.2 72 17.50 194 0.39
3 5 5.6 129 20.50 290 0.55
5 6 8.7 174 24.00 309 0.81

Data Sheet 4 of 12
Shielding Gas: Argon + 5% Carbon Dioxide + 2 to 3% Oxygen
1.6 4 3.6 81 17.75 267 0.32
2 4 3.3 78 18.00 207 0.41
3 5 5.6 129 20.75 295 0.54
5 6 9.8 186 24.25 289 0.94
Data Sheet 5 of 12
Power Source: Inverter MIG
1.6 4 2.8 63 22.00 227 0.37
2 4 3.9 90 21.50 243 0.48
3 5 5.3 105 24.75 250 0.62
4 4.5 5 118 20.6 299 0.46
4 5 7.5 149 21.6 386 0.49
4 5.5 10 191 22.2 426 0.57
5 6 6.6 135 24.50 220 0.90
Data Sheet 6 of 12
Power Source : Inverter MIG
Shielding Gas : Argon + 23 to 25% Carbon Dioxide
1.6 4 2.7 60 18.25 306 0.21
2 4 4.2 99 18.25 246 0.44
3 5 5.0 117 20.75 285 0.51
4 4.5 5 110 20.75 299 0.44
4 5 7.5 155 21.25 386 0.51
4 5.5 10 205 21.0 426 0.56
5 6 6.2 138 22.25 228 0.81
Data Sheet 7 of 12
1.6 4 2.6 75 19.00 330 0.26
2 4 3.3 93 20.00 300 0.37
3 5 4.6 115 21.00 295 0.49
5 6 6.9 150 22.25 320 0.63

Data Sheet 8 of 12
Shielding Gas: Argon + 5% Carbon Dioxide + 2 to 3.1% Oxygen
4 4.5 5 104 18.5 299 0.36
4 5 7.5 156 19.3 386 0.43
4 5.5 10 195 20.6 426 0.51
Data Sheet 9 of 12
Power Source: Conventional MIG — Transistorised
1.6 4 3.0 63 16.50 250 0.25
2 5 3.6 78 18.25 227 0.38
3 5 6.0 129 19.50 230 0.66
5 6 7.9 158 23.50 206 1.08
Data Sheet 10 of 12
Shielding Gas: Argon + 23 to 25% Carbon Dioxide
1.6 4 5.1 111 15.75 299 0.35
2 5 5.2 108 18.00 262 0.45
3 5 5.7 123 17.50 235 0.55
5 6.5 6.3 144 21.00 242 0.75
Data Sheet 11 of 12
1.6 4 2.6 78 19.50 333 0.27
2 5 3.4 93 20.25 300 0.38
3 5 4.4 114 21.25 295 0.49
5 6.5 7.1 153 22.25 327 0.62
Data Sheet 11 of 12
Shielding Gas: Argon + 5 to 7% Oxygen
2 3 9.8 180 25.50 500 0.55
3 3 9.6 171 23.25 500 0.48
4 4 11.9 192 26.25 429 0.70
5 4 10.1 180 23.00 346 0.72
6 5 11.9 189 25.00 400 0.71

PULSED GMAW WELDING — MANUAL
This type of GMAW has some of the advantages of A small percentage of O2 added to an Argon + CO2
both dip transfer and spray arc, and can be used mix improves edge wetting and appearance.
with Argon based mixtures of both CO2 and Helium.
The Argon+Helium+CO2 mix appears to perform
The advantages of both the Argon + CO2 and slightly better than the Argon+CO2+O2.
Argon + Helium + CO2 mixtures is a more stable arc, Note: Welding Grade CO2 cannot be used when GMAW
less prone to short circuits caused by vaporised zinc Pulse welding. This gas does not allow the pulsed arc to be
in the arc, and thus less spatter. maintained.
PULSED GMAW – CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS

AS/NZS 14341 AS/NZS 2717.1
Shielding Gas BOC CIGWELD LINCOLN LiquidArc WIA Comments
Classification Classification
B-G49A 3 M20 S4 ES4-GM-W503AH Argon + CO2, or Autocraft LW1 UltraMag S4 Steelultramig S4 Austmig ES4 Suitable for all DuraGal®
Argon + CO2 + O2, or products — Use for
Argon + CO2 + He lowest spatter levels
B-G49A 3 M20 S6 ES6-GM-W503AH Argon + CO2, or BOC Mild Autocraft LW1-6 UltraMag S6 Steelultramig S6 Austmig ES6 Suitable for all DuraGal®
Argon + CO2 + O2, or Steel MIG products — Use for
Argon + CO2 + He Wire lowest spatter levels
Hints for selection of appropriate minimal spatter is important. This gas gives best
electrodes and shielding gas performance but at extra cost.
Hint 1 — ES4 – provides adequate strength and Hint 6 — Select Argon + CO2 + O2 shielding
deoxidation in most applications and can be used for improved edge wetting and appearance
with either Argon + CO2 or Argon + Helium + CO2 particularly on thinner materials.
shielding.
Hint 7 — For pulse welding, arc stability is also a
Hint 2 — ES6 – for higher deoxidation with the function of available machine settings as much as
highest combination of manganese and silicon, the shielding gas.
permitting sound welds even on relatively poor
(rusty) surfaces. Pulsed GMAW (MIG) with shielding
gases
Hint 3 — For optimal results, use the wire
manufacturers recommended shielding gas Material DuraGal® RHS
mixtures. Joint Type Butt Fillet
Hint 4 — Select Argon + CO2 shielding for Position Flat Horizontal

economy. Spatter levels will be slightly higher than Polarity Electrode +ve
for Argon + Helium + CO2 types. Wire Type AS/NZS 2717.1 ES4/6-GC/M-503AH
Wire Diameter 0.9 mm
Hint 5 — Select Argon + Helium + CO2 where
Gas Flow Rate 20 l/min
Data Sheet 1 of 1 Welding Method Pulsed Spray Transfer

Shielding Gas: Argon + CO2 or Argon + Helium + CO2
thickness mm length mm Speed mm/min Volts mm/min kJ/mm
2 3 8.4 138 25.50 600 0.35
3 3 8.4 141 24.25 500 0.41
4 4 12.1 168 27.75 500 0.56
5 4 15.9 195 31.00 500 0.73
6 5 15.9 195 31.00 350 1.04

PULSED GMAW WELDING – ROBOTIC
Robotic welding using pulsed GMAW has all the

advantages of the manual version of this process,
with the ability to substantially increase arc travel
speeds.
GAS METAL ARC WELDING (Gmaw) — SPRAY TRANSFER
Experienced welders can achieve sound attractive to have good joint fit-up and the material to be
welds at very high welding rates using this thick enough to support the heat input. The thinner
technique. Welds of excellent appearance can be the steel being welded the better the joint fit up
produced with low spatter. required.
These welds generally show no visible porosity and Spray arc is mostly used for butt welds in the flat
low levels of internal porosity. The successful use or downhand position and fillet welds in the flat or
of spray transfer welding requires the components horizontal/vertical position.
SPRAY GMAW — CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS

AS/NZS 14341 AS/NZS 2717.1
Shielding Gas BOC CIGWELD LINCOLN LiquidArc WIA Comments
Classification Classification
B-G49A 3 M20 S4 ES4-GM- Argon + CO2, or Autocraft LW1 UltraMag S4 Steelultramig S4 Austmig ES4 Suitable for all
W503AH Argon + CO2 + O2, or DuraGal® products —
Argon + CO2 + He Use Argon + CO2
+ He or lowest
spatter levels
B-G49A 3 M20 S6 ES6-GM- Argon + CO2, or BOC Mild Autocraft LW1-6 UltraMag S6 Steelultramig S6 Austmig ES6 Suitable for all
W503AH Argon + CO2 + O2, or Steel MIG DuraGal® products —
Argon + CO2 + He Wire Use Argon + CO2
+ He or lowest
spatter levels

Hints for selection of appropriate Hint 5 — Select Argon + Helium + CO2 where
electrodes and shielding gas reduced spatter is important. This gas gives best
performance but at extra cost.
Hint 1 — ES4 provides adequate strength and
deoxidation in most applications and can be used Hint 6 — Shielding gases with Argon + CO2 + O2
with either Argon + CO2 or Argon + Helium + CO2 may give better appearance than Argon + CO2.
shielding.
Hint 2 — ES6 for higher deoxidation with the Pulsed GMAW (MIG) with shielding
highest combination of manganese and silicon, gases
permitting sound welds even on relatively poor Material DuraGal® RHS
(rusty) surfaces.
Joint Type Butt Fillet
Hint 3 — For optimal results, use the wire Position Flat Horizontal
manufacturers recommended shielding gas Polarity Electrode +ve
mixtures.
Wire Type AS/NZS 2717.1 ES4/6-GC/M-503AH
Hint 4 — Select Argon + CO2 shielding for Wire Diameter 0.9 mm
economy. Spatter levels will be higher than for Gas Flow Rate 20 l/min
Argon + Helium + CO2 types. Welding Method Spray Transfer
Data Sheet 1 of 1
Shielding Gas: Argon + CO2 + (O2) or Argon + Helium + CO2
2 3 10.5 155 26.00 600 0.40
3 3 10.5 155 26.00 600 0.40
4 4 11.7 237 28.75 500 0.82
5 4 11.8 240 29.00 450 0.93
6 5 11.8 240 29.00 400 1.04

FLUX CORED ARC WELDING (FCAW)
Gasless FCAW Gas shielded FCAW

The recommended wire is an AS/NZS 17632 T49-3 The recommended wire is an AS/NZS 17632
TX-XN type wire. This is a purpose built flux cored T49-0 TX-XX type wire. For optimal results, use the
wire for welding galvanized products. wire manufacturers recommended shielding gas
mixtures.
Note: This wire type is not suitable for applications
where the L0 properties of the family of DuraGal®
products are required.
For L0 Grades where improved impact performance
is required use an AS/NZS 17632 T49-0 TX-XN type
wire.
SPRAY MIG (GMAW) with shielding

gases
Material DuraGal® RHS
Joint Type Butt Fillet
Position Flat Horizontal
Polarity Electrode -ve
Wire Type AS/NZS 17632 ETP-GNn-500A.CM2
Wire Diameter 1.2 mm
Gas Flow Rate N/A
Welding Method Spray Arc
Data Sheet 1 of 1
Shielding Gas: N/A
2 2.5/3.5 4.0 90 17.00 400 0.23
3 3.0/3.5 4.0 90 17.00 350 0.26
4 5 4.5 130 19.00 325 0.46
6 6.0/7.0 5.2 180 20.00 275 0.79
Notes:
a) All settings above use Negative Polarity

b) Best results achieved with DRAG method.

FCAW — CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS — Gasless or Gas Shielded
Classification
BOC CIGWELD LINCOLN WIA Comments
AS/NZS ISO 17632 AS 2203.1
B T 49 Z T11-1 N A ETP-GNn-W500A.CM2 Shield-Cor 11 Gasless
B T 49 Z T 14-1N-S-H15 ETP-GNn-W500A.CM2 Shield-Cor 15 Innershield NR-152 Gasless
B T 49 Z TG 1 S N A ETP-GNn-W500A.CM2 Fabshield 23 Gasless
B T 49 Z T11-1 N A H15 ETP-GNn-W500A.CM2 Innershield NR-211 MP Gasless
B T 49 Z TG-1 N A H15 Steelcore 71T-GS Gasless
B T 49 Z T11-1 N A ETD-GNn-W500A.CM2 Fabshield 21B Gasless
B T 49 Z T4-O N A ETD-GNp-W500A.CM2 Fabshield 4 Gasless
B T 49 Z TG-1N A G H15 ETP-GNn-W500A.G NR-212 Gasless
B T 49 2 T11 C A H10 ETP-GCp-W502A.CM1H10 Verti-Cor Gas shielded
Ultra (CO2)
B T49 2 T1-1 C A O H10 ETP-GCp-W503A.CM1H10 Ausfil 71T Gas shielded
(CO2)
B T 49 2 T1 1 C A U H10 ETP-GCp -W502A. Verti-Cor 71T Gas shielded
CM1H10 (CO2)
B T 49 4 T1 1 CA-U H5 ETP-GCp -W502A.CM1 Smooth-Cor 711 TM-71 HYD Gas shielded
(CO2)
B T 49 3 T1-1 M A-K-U H10 ETP-GMp-W502A.CM1 Outershield 71-MX Gas shielded
(mixed)
B T 49 2T1-1 M A-U H10 ETP-GMp-W503A. Verti-Cor XP Ausfil 71T-1M Gas shielded
CM1H10 (mixed)
B T 49 3 T1-1 C A-K-U H10 ETP-GMp -W502A.CM1 Smooth-Cor 711 Verti-Cor XP Outershield 71-CX Gas shielded
Primacore LW-71 (mixed)
B 49 3 T12-1 C A U H10 ETP-GCp-W503A.CM1 Verti-Cor 3XP Gas shielded
(CO2)
B49 3 T12-1 M A U H10 ETP-GMp -W503A.CM1 Verti-Cor 3XP Gas shielded
(mixed)
B49 3 T12-1 M A U H5 ETP-GMp -W503A.CM1 Verti-Cor Gas shielded
H5 3XP H4 - (mixed)
Seamless
Hints for selection of appropriate Additional Information

FACW consumables
OneSteel commissioned the Co-Operative
Hint 1 — Gasless wires are popular for welding Research Centre for Welded Structures to
outdoors or where maintenance of gas shielding is undertake research on the welding of DuraGal® to
difficult. determine:
Hint 2 — Gas shielded wires produce less fumes, • the fume generated during Flux Cored Arc
minimal spatter and generally less post weld Welding with and without a shielding gas, and
cleaning. • the operating parameters for Flux Cored Arc
Welding using an austenitic stainless steel
and a ferrite stainless steel filler wire and the
corrosion resistance of the welds.
The reports detailing this work can be found on the
OneSteel website at www.onesteel.com.

As NZS ISO 17632 Designation
The “B” indicates classification by tensile strength and 27 J impact requirements.
Designates a tubular cored electrode.
Tensile Strength designator. Two digits are used to indicate the minimum tensile strength
(when multiplied by 10 MPa)
Charpy V-Notch impact strength designator. Indicates a temperature in oC at or above

which the impact of the weld metal referred to above meets or exceeds 27 J. The letter “Y” is
used to indicate a test temperature of + 20oC. This designator is omitted in the classification
for single-pass welding electrodes as these have no Charpy V-Notch impact requirements
under AS/NZS ISO 17632.
Usability designator. This designator is “T1” through “T15” or “TG”. The designator refers
to the usability of the electrode with requirements for polarity and general operating
characteristics. The designator “TG” indicates that the polarity and general operating
characteristics are not specified.
Position designator. This designator is either “0” or “1”. It indicates the position of welding
for which the electrode is intended. “0” is for flat and horizontal positions only. “!” is for all
positions.
Shielding gas designator. Indicates the type of shielding gas used for classification.
Designates the condition of heat treatment in which the tests were conducted. “A” for as-
welded condition, “P” for post-welded heat-treated condition and “AP” for as-welded and
post-weld heat-treated condition. This designator is omitted in the classification for single-
pass welding as these are tested only in the as-welded condition.
Chemical composition designator. Indicates chemical composition of all-weld metal.

The designation is omitted for electrodes meeting a general carbon steel weld metal
B – T XX X TX-X X X-XXX-U HX composition requirement and for electrodes classified for single run techniques.
Diffusible hydrogen designator. “H5”, H10, or H15 is used to indicate a maximum diffusible
hydrogen content of 5 ml/100 g, 10 ml/100 g or 15 ml/100 g of deposited metal, respectively.
Charpy V-Notch designator. The “U” indicates that the weld deposit will also meet an
average of 47 J at the classification temperature.
Flux Core Electrode Classification System in accordance with AS/NZS ISO 17632 for tubular electrodes
based upon tensile strength and 27 J minimum impact energy

WELDING GAS COMPARISONS
AIR LIQUIDE BOC GASES LINDE GAS
Process AS/ Australia New Zealand Australia New Zealand Australia Nominal Gas
NZS Composition In
2717:1 Argon (Ar) (Vol %)
Group
Index1
GMAW FCAW CO2 O2 He
3 3 C WELDING QUALITY CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) >99.5
3 3 M3 BLUESHIELD 8 CORGON 25 25
3 3 M3 ARGOSHIELD ARGOSHIELD 18 3
HEAVY HEAVY
3 3 M3 ARGOSHIELD 52 23
3 3 M3 ARGOSHIELD ARGOSHIELD 16 2.75
UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL
3 3 M3 BLUESHIELD 10 16 2.5
3 3 M3 CORGON 16/2 16 2
3 3 M3 BLUESHIELD MS42 –
3 3 M2 BLUESHIELD 7 CORGON 18 18
3 M2 BLUESHIELD 5 CORGON 7 7
3 M2 BLUESHIELD 24 8 2
3 M2 ARGOSHIELD ARGOSHIELD 5 3.1
LIGHT (50) LIGHT (50)
3 M2 CORGON He30 10 30
3 M2 ARGOSHIELD 100 10 25
3 M2 ARGOSHIELD 40 5
3 M2 Arcal MS-32 – –
3 M2 BLUESHIELD MS32 –
3 M1 ARGOSHIELD 54 ARGOSHIELD 54 7 1.5
3 M1 BLUESHIELD 23 4.5 2.5
3 M1 CORGON 5/2 5 2
3 M1 BLUESHIELD MS2 2
–
3 M1 BLUESHIELD MS12 – –
1
Refer Appendix A of AS/NZS 2717.1:1996
2
Gas composition withheld at the request of the manufacturer
NOZZLE SPATTER COMPARISONS

(For high productivity welding applications)
5 x 91mm fillet welds were completed with each gas Power Source Cigweld 350 ZR-R Pulse
Shielding Gas Ar + 16% CO2 + Ar + 10% CO2 Robot 5 Axis Cigweld Transrobo WS-0550
2.75% O2 + 25% He
Wire Cigweld 0.9mm LW1
Nozzle Weight Before (g) 130.2 130.3
Amps 210
Nozzle Weight After (g) 132.4 131.3
Volts 28.5
Spatter Weight On and In 2.2 1.0
Wire Feed Rate 12.2 m/min
Nozzle (g)
Travel Speed 550 mm/min
Hint 1 — Using Ar + CO2 + Helium gas mixtures can result in substantialy less nozzle spatter than Ar +
CO2 + O2 mixtures when used in automated high productivity welding applications and this may have
economincal advantages over lower cost gases.

Recommended consumables
The recommended electrodes for welding DuraGal® Hollow Sections and Profiles are shown in the table
below:
PRODUCT
Grades C400L0 & C450L0 Grade C350L0
PROCESS DuraGal RHS DuraGal CHS
Profiles Profile Angles ( ≤50 x 50mm)
If L0 needed If L0 not needed If L0 needed If L0 not needed
Manual Metal Arc (Stick) E49XX.2 E49XX.0 E43XX.2 E43XX.0
AS/NZS 1553.1 or or better or or
AS/NZS 4855 E49XX.2 E49XX.0
or better
AS/NZS 4855 B E49 XX XXX X O HX B E49 XX XXX X Z HX B T43 XX XXX X 0 HX B T43 XX XXX X Z HX
Gas Metal Arc (MIG) W502XHx W500XHx W502XHx W500XHx
AS/NZS 2717.1 or
AS/NZS 14341
Flux Cored Arc W502X.CMXHx W500X.CMXHx W402X.CMXHx W400X.CMXHx
AS 2203.1 or or or
AS/NZS 17632 W502X.CMXHx W500X.CMXHx
AS/NZS 17632 B T49 0 TX - XXX - U HX B T49 Z TX - XXX - U HX B T43 0 TX - XXX - U HX B T43 Z TX - XXX - U HX
or or
B T49 0 TX - XXX - U HX B T49 Z TX - XXX - U HX
Submerged Arc (Sub Arc) W502Y W500Y W402Y W400Y

AS 1858.1 or or or
AS/NZS 14171 W502Y W500Y
A lower strength electrode (E43XX)

may be used with:
• DuraGal® CHS.
• DuraGal® RHS in Grade C350L0 (typically for
sizes up to 75 x 25 and 50 x 50).
• Profile Equal Angles (With leg lengths less
than or equal to 50 x 50 mm).
These sections or sizes have a yield strength of 350
MPa compared to the 450 MPa yield strength of
DuraGal® RHS and most of the profiles.
L0 indicates that the ILG products have Charpy
impact properties as specified in AS/NZS 1163
Structural Steel Hollow Sections. AS 4100 Steel
Structures permits impacted tested L0 grades to
have the following minimum service temperatures.
Thickness Lowest One Day Mean

mm Ambient Temperature ºC
t≤6 - 30
6 < t ≤ 12 - 20

Welding fumes Lead and Your Health
All welding produces fumes. Normal welding Lead has played a major role in the industrial
processes generally keep these fumes to revolution — its corrosion resistance and low
acceptable levels. The Welding Technology melting point making it a popular and widely
Institute of Australia (WTIA) publishes a manual, used metal. However, leads toxicity has prompted
“Technical Note 7, Health & Safety in Welding[2]”, governments and health authorities to encourage
which gives comprehensive advice on the level lead safe practices. Lead can cause long-term
of ventilation required for a range of welding and health problems. So it is important for you to know
cutting processes. about lead poisoning and how it can happen. Lead
gets into our bodies when we breathe in air, eat
All welding can be injurious to the health unless
food or drink water that contains lead fumes or
sensible welding practices are used. Worksafe
dust.
Australia have published exposure standards
for weld fume, which in their words “represent How to Reduce the Risk
air borne concentrations of individual chemical • Check out the home and work place for lead
substances which, according to current knowledge, hazards.
should neither impair the health of nor cause
undue discomfort to nearly all workers”. • Have adequate ventilation and always use
your safety equipment (ie. safety masks and
Further information on fume management overalls).
is available in the “Fume Management
• Use products that have reduced lead levels in
Guidelines” which is downloadable from
them.
www.wtia.com.au. Exposure to zinc fumes should
be less than the allowable limit in a normal
fabrication shop environment where actual arc The Good News About AUSTRALIAN
time is often less than a quarter of the total TUBE MILLS LeadSafe™ GalvaniSed
working time. Products
Testing[3] has shown that the zinc fume given off ATM is leading the way with it’s Leadsafe™ In-
when welding DuraGal® hollow section products, line, hot-dipped galvanised DuraGal® Hollow
provided the arc power is kept in the lower amp to Sections and Profiles, by using High Grade zinc
volt working range, does not exceed the zinc oxide which is better than 99.97% Lead Free. This is
exposure standard of an 8 hour time weighted good news for anyone working with galvanised
average (TWA) of 5mg/m³ and a short term steel, good news for the environment and good
exposure limit (STEL) of 10mg/m³ [4]. However, news for your health. It’s another part of ATM’s
operating in higher current short arc or spray onoing commitment to a Clean, Green and Safe
arc conditions when welding profiles, or welding environment.
in confined spaces will require natural or forced
ventilation and/ or some form of air circulation or
extraction.
See the recommendations contained in:
• WTIA Technote 7 “Health & Safety in Welding”
and WTIA “Fume Management Guidelines”
• Worksafe Australia Standard, “Exposure
Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in
the Occupational Environment”.
Welding the family of DuraGal® products produces
far less zinc fume than welding batch galvanized
steel products which can have zinc coatings
between 390g/m2 to 600g/m2.

REFERENCES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
[1] Rasmussen K.J., Teh L.H, “Strength of Butt Australian Tube Mills has sponsored ongoing
Welded Connections between Equal-width research into the welding of DuraGal®.
Rectangular Hollow Sections, Research Report
No R817, The Department of Civil Engineering, Additional information is available to download
The University of Sydney, April 2002. from www.austubemills.com
[2] WTIA Tech Note 7 “Health and Safety in
Welding”
[3] Deakin University Centre for Biological and
Chemical Research Report TMCG5 “Emissions
from Welding DuraGal® RHS”
[4] Worksafe Australia “Exposure Standards
for Atmospheric Contaminates in the
Occupational Environment — Guidance Note
and National Exposure Standards“
AS/NZS 1163 Structural steel hollow sections
AS/NZS 1553.1 Covered electrodes for welding
— Low carbon steel electrodes for manual
metal-arc welding of carbon steels and
carbon-manganese steels
AS/NZS 1554:1 Welding of steel structures.
AS/NZS 1554:5 Structural steel welding —
Welding of steel structures subject to high
levels of fatigue loading
AS 1858.1 Electrodes and fluxes for
submerged-arc welding — Carbon steels and
carbon-manganese steels
AS 2203.1 Cored electrodes for arc-welding
— Ferritic steel electrodes
AS/NZS 2717.1 Welding — Electrodes
— Gas metal arc — Ferritic steel electrodes
AS 4100 Steel Structures
ASNZS 4600 Cold-formed steel structures
AS/NZS 4855 Welding consumables —
Covered electrodes for manual metal arc
welding of non-alloy and fine grain steels —
Classification
AS/NZS 14171 Welding consumables — Solid
wire electrodes, tubular cored electrodes and
electrode/flux combinations for submerged
arc welding of non alloy and fine grain steels
— Classification
AS/NZS 43141 Welding consumables — Wire
electrodes and weld deposits for gas shielded
metal arc welding of non alloy and fine grain
steels — Classification (ISO 14341:2010, MOD)
AS/NZS ISO 17632 Welding consumbles —
Tubular cored electrodes for gas sheilded and
non-gas shielded metal arc welding of non-
alloy and fine grain steels — Classification (ISO
17632:2004, MOD)

NOTES

Address 146 Ingram Road, Acacia Ridge Qld 4110 | PO Box 246, Sunnybank Qld 4109 Australia
Phone +61 7 3909 6600 | Fax +61 7 3909 6660
Web austubemills.com
This publication has been prepared as a guide only to assist anyone that may specify or use the products described in this publication. Accordingly, while
Australian Tube Mills has endeavoured to ensure that all information provided in this publication is accurate and up-to-date, the following must be noted:
this publication does not take into account any individual circumstances and is therefore not a substitute for informed or professional individual advice; the
specifications and technical data relating to the products described in this publication are approximate and subject to change without notice, and users should
check the currency of the information before relying upon it; and unless required by law, Australian Tube Mills does not accept any responsibility for any loss,
damage or consequence resulting from the contents of this publication or from any omission of information in this publication.
© Copyright Australian Tube Mills Pty Ltd. DuraGal®, OZprofilesTM and OZlintelTM are registered trade marks of Australian Tube Mills Pty Ltd. August 2013. TS1883.

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DURAGAL ®

INTENT OF THIS PUBLICATION

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

PREPARING JOINTS FOR WELDING 5

RECOMMENDED WELDING MACHINE SETTINGS AND CONSUMABLES 8

LEAD AND YOUR HEALTH 25

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

WELDING HINTS GLOSSARY OF TERMS

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

uniform, free from burrs and other contaminants

Figure 1 — Chord to branch connections.

radius of the chord member may lead to a large

• Special branch end profiling

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

Figure 3 — Chord to branch welding sequence.

If a MIG welding machine is used, increasing the

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

Don’t increase the heat to weld The

FATIGUE Not ”turning up the heat” on DuraGal® and profiles

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

Explanation of Gas Metal ARC and

Electrode stick out

New Generation Power Sources

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

For Strength, charpy impact

The Recommended electrode

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

B E4312A Supa Medium strength, good appearance

B E4313 F E4113-0 Smootharc 13 EasyArc Medium strength

B E4303 A U E4113-2 Weldcraft Medium strength, good impact

B E4914 A U E4814-2 Ferrocraft 21 High strength, high deposition and

B E4916 A U H5R ConArc 51 Higher strength, very low hydrogen,

E4816-4 H10 Austarc 16TC Higher strength, better impact, low

E4816-4 H5 Smootharc 16 Higher strength, better impact, very

B E4916 A U H5R E4816-4 H5 Conarc® 51 Higher strength, better impact, very

B E4918 A U H10 E4818-2 H5 EasyArc High strength, good impact, low

B E4924 A E4824-2 Ferrod 135T High strength, good impact, fast

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

SETTINGS — TYPICAL FOR AS/NZS 1553.1 E4312 and E4313 electrodes

* Two runs required

SETTINGS — Typical for AS/NZS 1553.1 E4914 AND E4918 electrodes

* Two runs required

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

For DuraGal® the preferred gas is an

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

GMAW WELDING CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

PULSED GMAW – CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS

Hint 4 — Select Argon + CO2 shielding for Position Flat Horizontal

Data Sheet 1 of 1 Welding Method Pulsed Spray Transfer

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

Robotic welding using pulsed GMAW has all the

GAS METAL ARC WELDING (Gmaw) — SPRAY TRANSFER

SPRAY GMAW — CONSUMABLE COMPARISONS

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE

DURAGAL® EASY WELDING GUIDE