AWS A5.20/A5.

20M:2005
An American National Standard

Specification
for Carbon Steel
Electrodes for Flux
Cored Arc Welding
Key Words —Carbon steel, flux cored electrodes, AWS A5.20/A5.20M:2005
flux cored arc welding, arc welding An American National Standard

Approved by
American National Standards Institute
January 12, 2005

Specification for
Carbon Steel Electrodes for
Flux Cored Arc Welding

Supersedes ANSI/AWS A5.20-95

Prepared by
AWS A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials

Under the Direction of

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This specification prescribes the requirements for classification of carbon steel electrodes for flux cored arc welding.
The requirements include chemical composition and mechanical properties of the weld metal and certain usability char-
acteristics. The AWS A5.20/A5.20M specification also includes optional, supplemental designators for improved tough-
ness and diffusible hydrogen and to indicate conformance to special mechanical property requirements when the weld
metal is deposited using both low heat input, fast cooling rate and high heat input, slow cooling rate procedures. Addi-
tional requirements are included for standard sizes, marking, manufacturing and packaging. A guide is appended to the
specification as a source of information concerning the classification system employed and the intended use of carbon
steel flux cored electrodes.
This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). Since these are
not equivalent, each system must be used independently of the other.

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 AWS A5.20/A5.20M:2005

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel.................................................................................................................................................................... iii
Foreword ......................................................................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................ viii
List of Figures........................................................................................................................................................... viii
1. Scope .....................................................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References ...........................................................................................................................................1
3. Classification.........................................................................................................................................................2
4. Acceptance ............................................................................................................................................................2
5. Certification...........................................................................................................................................................6
6. Rounding-Off Procedure .......................................................................................................................................6
7. Summary of Tests..................................................................................................................................................6
8. Retest.....................................................................................................................................................................6
9. Test Assemblies.....................................................................................................................................................7
10. Chemical Analysis...............................................................................................................................................13
11. Radiographic Test ...............................................................................................................................................14
12. Tension Test ........................................................................................................................................................14
13. Bend Test.............................................................................................................................................................14
14. Impact Test..........................................................................................................................................................15
15. Fillet Weld Test ...................................................................................................................................................15
16. Diffusible Hydrogen Test....................................................................................................................................15
17. “D” and “Q” Optional Supplemental Designator Tests ......................................................................................19
18. Method of Manufacture.......................................................................................................................................20
19. Standard Sizes .....................................................................................................................................................21
20. Finish and Uniformity .........................................................................................................................................21
21. Standard Package Forms .....................................................................................................................................21
22. Winding Requirements........................................................................................................................................21
23. Filler Metal Identification ...................................................................................................................................23
24. Packaging ............................................................................................................................................................24
25. Marking of Packages...........................................................................................................................................24
Nonmandatory Annexes..............................................................................................................................................25
Annex A—Guide to AWS Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding...........................25
Annex B—Guidelines for Preparation of Technical Inquiries for AWS Technical Committees ................................35
AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process..........................................................................37
AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents .........................................................................................39

vii
AWS A5.20/A5.20M:2005

List of Tables
Table Page No.
1U A5.20 Mechanical Property Requirements ....................................................................................................3
1M A5.20M Mechanical Property Requirements.................................................................................................3
2 Electrode Usability Requirements .................................................................................................................5
3 Tests Required for Classification ...................................................................................................................7
4 Base Metal for Test Assemblies...................................................................................................................12
5 Heat Input Requirements and Suggested Pass and Layer Sequence for Multiple Pass Electrode
Classifications ..............................................................................................................................................12
6 Weld Metal Chemical Composition Requirements for Classification to A5.20/A5.20M ...........................13
7 Dimensional Requirements for Fillet Weld Usability Test Specimens .......................................................16
8 Diffusible Hydrogen Limits for Weld Metal ...............................................................................................17
9 Procedure Requirements for “D” and “Q” Optional Supplemental Designators.........................................19
10 Mechanical Property Requirements for “D” and “Q” Optional Supplemental Designators........................21
11 Standard Sizes and Tolerances of Electrodes ..............................................................................................22
12 Packaging Requirements..............................................................................................................................22
A1 Comparison of Classifications .....................................................................................................................27

List of Figures
Figure Page No.
1 A5.20/A5.20M Classification System ...........................................................................................................4
2 Pad for Chemical Analysis of Deposited Weld Metal ...................................................................................8
3 Test Assembly for Mechanical Properties and Soundness of Weld Metal ....................................................9
4 Test Assembly for Transverse Tension and Longitudinal Guided Bend Tests for Welds Made
with Single-Pass Electrodes .........................................................................................................................10
5 Fillet Weld Test Assembly...........................................................................................................................11
6 Dimensions of Fillet Welds..........................................................................................................................16
7 Alternate Methods for Facilitating Fillet Weld Fracture .............................................................................17
8 Radiographic Standards for Test Assembly in Figure 3 ..............................................................................18
9 Standard Spools—Dimensions of 4, 8, 12, and 14 in [100, 200, 300, and 350 mm] Spools.......................23
10 Standard Spools—Dimensions of 22, 24, and 30 in [560, 610, and 760 mm] Spools.................................24

viii
 AWS A5.20/A5.20M:2005

Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes

for Flux Cored Arc Welding

1. Scope 2. Normative References

1.1 This specification prescribes requirements for the The following standards contain provisions which,
classification of carbon steel electrodes for flux cored arc through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
welding (FCAW) either with or without shielding gas. this AWS standard. For dated references, subsequent
(Metal cored carbon steel electrodes are classified amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications
according to AWS A5.18/A5.18M.)1 do not apply. However, parties to agreement based on
this AWS standard are encouraged to investigate the pos-
1.2 Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the sibility of applying the most recent editions of the docu-
scope of this standard and, therefore, are not fully ments shown below. For undated references, the latest
addressed herein. Some safety and health information edition of the standard referred to applies.
can be found in the nonmandatory Annex Sections A5
and A9. Safety and health information is available from 2.1 The following AWS standards are referenced in the
other sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.12 mandatory sections of this document:
and applicable federal and state regulations. (1) AWS A4.3, Standard Methods for Determination of
the Diffusible Hydrogen Content of Martensitic, Bainitic,
1.3 This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary and Ferritic Steel Weld Metal Produced by Arc Welding.
Units and the International System of Units (SI). The (2) AWS A5.01, Filler Metal Procurement Guidelines.
measurements are not exact equivalents; therefore, each (3) AWS A5.32/A5.32M, Specification for Welding
system must be used independently of the other without Shielding Gases.
combining in any way when referring to weld metal (4) AWS B4.0 or B4.0M, Standard Methods for
properties. The specification with the designation A5.20 Mechanical Testing of Welds.
uses U.S. Customary Units. The specification A5.20M
uses SI Units. The latter are shown within brackets [ ] or 2.2 The following ANSI standard is referenced in the
in appropriate columns in tables and figures. Standard mandatory sections of this document:
dimensions based on either system may be used for the (1) ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and
sizing of electrodes or packaging or both under the Allied Processes.
A5.20 and A5.20M specifications. 2.3 The following ASTM standards3 are referenced in
the mandatory sections of this document:
(1) ASTM A 36/A 36M, Specification for Carbon
1. AWS standards can be obtained from Global Engineering Structural Steel.
Documents, an Information Handling Services (IHS) Group (2) ASTM A 285/A 285M, Specification for Pressure
Company, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112- Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, Low- and Intermediate-
5776; telephone (800) 854-7179, (303) 397-7956; fax (303) Tensile Strength.
397-2740; internet: www.global.ihs.com. (3) ASTM A 515/A 515M, Specification for Pres-
2. ANSI standards can be obtained from the American National
sure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, for Intermediate- and
Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, Fourth Floor, New
Higher-Temperature Service.
York, NY 10036, and Global Engineering Documents, an
Information Handling Services (IHS) Group Company, 15
Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112-5776; telephone 3. ASTM standards can be obtained from the American Society
(800) 854-7179, (303) 397-7956; fax (303) 397-2740; internet: for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
www.global.ihs.com. Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.