CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTRODES

The classification system used in the specification AWS A 5.1 which is for carbon steel electrodes follows established pattern for AWS filler metal specification. The letter E designates an electrode. The first two digit, 60 for example designates tensile strength of atleast 60 ksi of the deposited metal, in the as welded condition. The third digit indicates position in which satisfactory welds can be made with the electrode. Thus the 1 in E 6010 indicates that the electrode is satisfactory for all positions. The '2' indicates that the electrode is suitable for the flat position and also for making fillet welds in horizontal position. The '4' in E 7048 indicates that the electrode is suitable for vertical down welding and other positions. The last two digits taken together indicate the type of current, and the type of flux  coating as listed in Table 1. The mechanical properties of the electrodes are given in Table 2.

The low alloy steel electrodes for SMAW process are covered in AWS A 5.5. The variation with respect to A 5.1 is, here the first, two or three digits indicate the tensile strength of weld deposit.

For example:

E 8018 - X; 80 ksi- Tensile strength E12018;  120 ksi - Tensile strength In addition, a letter suffix such as A1 indicates the chemical composition of weld deposit . Thus a complete classification of an electrode would be E 7010 - A 1, E 8016 - C2, etc.