This International Standard specifies requirements for classification of tubular cored electrodes with or without
a gas shield for metal arc welding of high-strength steels in the as-welded condition or in the post-weld heattreated
condition with a minimum yield strength higher than 550 MPa or a minimum tensile strength higher
than 590 MPa. One tubular cored electrode can be tested and classified with different shielding gases, if used
with more than one.
This document is a combined specification providing classification utilizing a system based upon the yield
strength and an average impact energy of 47 J of the all-weld metal, or utilizing a system based upon the
tensile strength and an average impact energy of 27 J of the all-weld metal.
1) Subclauses and tables which carry the suffix letter “A” are applicable only to tubular cored electrodes
classified under the system based upon the yield strength and an average impact energy of 47 J of
the all-weld metal given in this International Standard.
2) Subclauses and tables which carry the suffix letter “B” are applicable only to tubular cored electrodes
classified under the system based upon the tensile strength and an average impact energy of 27 J of
the all-weld metal given in this International Standard.
3) Subclauses and tables which do not have either the suffix letter “A” or the suffix letter “B” are
applicable to all tubular cored electrodes classified under this International Standard.
It is recognized that the operating characteristics of tubular cored electrodes can be modified by the use of
pulsed current but, for the purposes of this International Standard, pulsed current is not used for determining
the electrode classification.