AWS A5.5/A5.

5M:2006
An American National Standard

Specification for
Low-Alloy Steel
Electrodes for
Shielded Metal
Arc Welding

AWS A5.5/A5.5M:2006
An American National Standard
Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
March 22, 2006

Specification for
Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Supersedes ANSI/AWS A5.5-96

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials
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 low-alloy steel covered electrodes used for shielded
metal arc welding. The requirements include chemical composition and mechanical properties of weld metal, weld metal
soundness, usability tests of electrodes, and moisture tests of the low-hydrogen electrode covering. Requirements for
standard sizes and lengths, marking, manufacturing, and packaging are also included.
Optional supplemental requirements include tests for absorbed moisture in the electrode covering and for diffusible
hydrogen in the weld metal.
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.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

AWS A5.5/A5.5M:2006

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel......................................................................................................................................................................v
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................vii
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................x
List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................................x
1. Scope.....................................................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References .........................................................................................................................................1
3. Classification........................................................................................................................................................2
4. Acceptance .........................................................................................................................................................12
5. Certification .......................................................................................................................................................12
6. Rounding-Off Procedure ..................................................................................................................................12
7. Summary of Tests..............................................................................................................................................12
8. Retest ..................................................................................................................................................................12
9. Weld Test Assemblies........................................................................................................................................12
10. Chemical Analysis .............................................................................................................................................15
11. Radiographic Test .............................................................................................................................................17
12. Tension Test .......................................................................................................................................................20
13. Impact Test ........................................................................................................................................................24
14. Fillet Weld Test..................................................................................................................................................26
15. Moisture Test .....................................................................................................................................................26
16. Absorbed Moisture Test ...................................................................................................................................29
17. Diffusible Hydrogen Test..................................................................................................................................32
18. Method of Manufacture....................................................................................................................................32
19. Standard Sizes and Lengths .............................................................................................................................32
20. Core Wire and Covering...................................................................................................................................32
21. Exposed Core .....................................................................................................................................................33
22. Electrode Identification ....................................................................................................................................33
23. Packaging ...........................................................................................................................................................35
24. Marking of Packages.........................................................................................................................................35
Annex A (Informative)Guide to AWS Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Shielded
Annex A (Informative)Metal Arc Welding ............................................................................................................37
Annex B (Informative)Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries.......................................................51
AWS Filler Metal Specifications by Material and Welding Process .........................................................................53
AWS Filler Metal Specifications and Related Documents ........................................................................................55

ix

AWS A5.5/A5.5M:2006

List of Tables
Table
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
A.1
A.2
A.3
A.4

Page No.
Electrode Classification .................................................................................................................................3
Chemical Composition Requirements for Weld Metal..................................................................................4
Tension Test Requirements............................................................................................................................9
Charpy V-Notch Impact Requirements........................................................................................................11
Required Tests..............................................................................................................................................13
Base Metal for Weld Test Assemblies .........................................................................................................21
Preheat, Interpass, and Postweld Heat Treatment Temperatures.................................................................22
Requirements for Preparation of Fillet Weld Test Assemblies....................................................................25
Radiographic Soundness Requirements.......................................................................................................29
Dimensional Requirements for Fillet Weld Usability Test Specimens .......................................................30
Moisture Content Limits in Low-Hydrogen Electrode Coverings...............................................................31
Diffusible Hydrogen Requirements for Weld Metal and Optional Supplemental Designators...................32
Standard Sizes and Lengths .........................................................................................................................33
Comparison of Equivalent Classifications ...................................................................................................40
Typical Storage and Drying Conditions for Covered Arc Welding Electrodes...........................................43
Typical Amperage Ranges ...........................................................................................................................44
Discontinued Electrode Classifications .......................................................................................................49

List of Figures
Figure

Page No.

1
2

Pad for Chemical Analysis of Undiluted Weld Metal .................................................................................15

Groove Weld Test Assembly for Mechanical Properties and Soundness of Weld Metal
Produced by Using All Electrode Classifications Except E(X)XX18M(1).................................................16
3
Fillet Weld Test Assembly...........................................................................................................................18
4
Groove Weld Test Assembly for Mechanical Properties and Soundness of Weld Metal
Produced by Using E(X)XX18M(1)............................................................................................................19
5
Welding Positions for Fillet Weld Test Assemblies ....................................................................................26
6A Radiographic Acceptance Standards for Rounded Indications (Grade 1) ...................................................27
6B Radiographic Acceptance Standards for Rounded Indications (Grade 2) ...................................................28
7
Dimensions of Fillet Welds..........................................................................................................................30
8
Alternate Methods for Facilitating Fracture of the Fillet Weld ...................................................................31
9
Order of Electrode Mandatory and Optional Supplemental Designators ....................................................34

AWS A5.5/A5.5M:2006

Specification for Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes

for Shielded Metal Arc Welding
1. Scope

2.2 The following AWS standards1 are referenced in the

normative sections of this document:

1.1 This specification prescribes requirements for the

classification of low-alloy steel electrodes for shielded
metal arc welding of carbon and low-alloy steels. These
electrodes include steel alloys in which no single alloying element exceeds 10.5 percent.

1. AWS A5.01, Filler Metal Procurement Guidelines

2. AWS A4.3, Standard Methods for Determination of
the Diffusible Hydrogen Content of Martensitic, Bainitic,
and Ferritic Steel Weld Metal Produced by Arc Welding
3. AWS A4.4M, Standard Procedures for Determination of Moisture Content of Welding Fluxes and Welding Electrode Flux Coverings

1.2 Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the
scope of this standard and, therefore, are not fully addressed herein. Some safety and health information can
be found in Informative Annex Clauses A5 and A10.
Safety and health information is available from other
sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.1,
Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, and
applicable federal and state regulations.

4. AWS B4.0 [B4.0M], Standard Methods for

Mechanical Testing of Welds
2.3 The following ANSI standard2 is referenced in the
normative sections of this document:
1. ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied
Processes

1.3 This specification 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 in any way when referring to material properties. The specification designated A5.5 uses U.S. Customary Units; and the specification designated A5.5M
uses SI Units. The latter units are shown within brackets
[ ] or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. Standard dimensions based on either system may be used for
sizing of filler metal or packaging or both under A5.5 or
A5.5M specification.

2.4 The following ASTM standards3 are referenced in the

normative sections of this document:
1. ASTM A 29/A 29M, Standard Specification for
Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General
Requirements for
2. ASTM A 36/A 36M, Standard Specification for
Carbon Structural Steel
3. ASTM A 203/A 203M, Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Nickel
4. ASTM A 204/A 204M, Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Molybdenum

2. Normative References

5. ASTM A 283/A 283M, Standard Specification for

Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates

2.1 The following standards contain provisions that,

through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this AWS standard. For dated references, subsequent
amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications
do not apply. However, parties to agreement based on
this AWS standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent edition of the
documents shown below. For undated references, the
latest edition of the standard referred to applies.

1 AWS

standards are published by the American Welding

Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.
2 This ANSI standard is published by the American Welding
Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.
3 ASTM standards are published by the American Society
for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.