Classification is based on chemical composition of the electrode for solid electrodes and rods, chemical composition of weld metal for composite stranded and composite metal cored electrodes and the as-welded mechanical properties of the weld metal for each. Additional requirements are included for manufacture, sizes, lengths, and packaging.

A guide is appended to the specification as a source of information concerning the classification system employed and the intended use of the electrodes and rods.

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.

The American Welding Society is the largest organization in the world dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied processes, including joining, brazing, soldering, cutting, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, USA, AWS serves almost 50,000 members in the United States and around the world.

In 2005, the FABTECH INTERNATIONAL & AWS Welding Show—the largest welding, metal forming, & fabricating event—will take place November 13-November 16, 2005, in Chicago, IL, USA. www.aws.org/expo

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