The document discusses selecting filler metals for welding that minimize hydrogen-related cracking. It addresses confusion around the term "low hydrogen electrodes" and defines what this refers to according to welding standards. Specifically, "low hydrogen" SMAW electrodes must have a coating moisture level below 0.6% as tested at high temperatures, corresponding to low diffusible hydrogen levels in the deposited weld metal. The document recommends using hydrogen designators like H8, which specify maximum allowable hydrogen content, rather than imprecise terms like "low hydrogen."
The document discusses selecting filler metals for welding that minimize hydrogen-related cracking. It addresses confusion around the term "low hydrogen electrodes" and defines what this refers to according to welding standards. Specifically, "low hydrogen" SMAW electrodes must have a coating moisture level below 0.6% as tested at high temperatures, corresponding to low diffusible hydrogen levels in the deposited weld metal. The document recommends using hydrogen designators like H8, which specify maximum allowable hydrogen content, rather than imprecise terms like "low hydrogen."
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The document discusses selecting filler metals for welding that minimize hydrogen-related cracking. It addresses confusion around the term "low hydrogen electrodes" and defines what this refers to according to welding standards. Specifically, "low hydrogen" SMAW electrodes must have a coating moisture level below 0.6% as tested at high temperatures, corresponding to low diffusible hydrogen levels in the deposited weld metal. The document recommends using hydrogen designators like H8, which specify maximum allowable hydrogen content, rather than imprecise terms like "low hydrogen."
Direitos autorais:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formatos disponíveis
Baixe no formato PDF, TXT ou leia online no Scribd
Low Hydrogen This is part two in a series on select- ignation, however, neither “low hydro- content levels much lower than the ing filler metals. When selecting filler gen” nor “low hydrogen electrodes” are maximum of 0.6% in the as-received metals, the specifier may elect to listed in the American Welding condition. Table 1 lists the SMAW require “low hydrogen electrodes.” Society’s (AWS) Standard Welding electrodes with low hydrogen coating Such electrodes may be required to Terms & Definitions (AWS A3.0-94)2. contained in A5.1. minimize the possibility of hydrogen This may come as a surprise to some, Table 1. AWS SMAW Electrodes with related cracking. In some cases the especially to engineers that have been Low Hydrogen Coverings engineer may specify low hydrogen specifying that “only low hydrogen electrodes because he believes these electrodes shall be permitted,” or “all EXX15-x electrodes will also provide weld welds shall be low hydrogen”, or that EXX16-x deposits exhibiting a high minimum “all welding processes shall be low level of notch toughness. While this hydrogen.” Without a formal definition, EXX18-x may be true, it can not be assumed. the term “low hydrogen” can be under- This article will address specifying stood differently by engineers, contrac- EXX18M-x filler metals that resist hydrogen relat- tors, or inspectors, which can lead to ed cracking while also providing good mechanical properties. confusion and conflicts. Can Hydrogen Affect Mechanical “Low Hydrogen “Low hydrogen” Properties? Electrode” Means can be understood SMAW Electrode The influence of hydrogen can be differently by observed in mechanical testing; how- engineers, contractors, The closest thing to a formal definition for low hydrogen SMAW electrodes is ever, its effects on the test results are limited. A high hydrogen content in a or inspectors…. found in the AWS A5.1 filler metal tensile specimen can produce “fish- specification3. This specification lists eyes” on the fracture surface as seen The term “low hydrogen” has been several electrode classifications with in Figure 1. around for about 60 years. It was first “low hydrogen” coatings. These classi- introduced to differentiate this classifi- fications must have a coating moisture cation of shielded metal arc welding level of less than 0.6% when tested at (SMAW) electrode (e.g., E7018) from 1800 °F (980 °C), according to AWS other non-low hydrogen SMAW elec- A5.1. This moisture level corresponds trodes (e.g., E6010). They were creat- to a relatively low diffusible hydrogen ed to avoid hydrogen cracking on high level in the deposited weld metal, typi- strength steels, such as armor plate.1 cally less than 16 mL/100g. For exam- ple, AWS A4.3, Standard Methods for Confusion About Determination of Diffusible Hydrogen4, shows that when E7018 is welded at the Term 70 °F and 60% relative humidity a Although so-called “low hydrogen elec- 0.6% coating moisture equates to trodes” have been around for many approximately 12 mL/100g of diffusible years, there is some confusion about hydrogen. Many of today’s E7018 what is meant by the term. Many products have actual coating moisture Figure 1. “Fish-eyes” on an all-weld- codes and specifications use the des- metal tensile specimen fracture surface.
Welding Innovation Vol. XVII, No. 1, 2000
Additionally, the presence of hydrogen in Category “A” are higher than To avoid hydrogen induced cracking, can reduce ductility (as expressed by Category “B” because Category “B” is the hydrogen level in the material must elongation and reduction in area). for “shielded metal arc welding with be held to a certain maximum level. Hydrogen, however, does not typically low hydrogen electrodes, submerged This level is a function of the influence the impact toughness, ultimate arc welding, gas metal arc welding, microstructure susceptibility, constraint tensile strength or yield strength results. flux cored arc welding.” (or restraint), and residual stresses. It is only in severe cases that it can Microstructure susceptibility to hydro- influence the ultimate tensile strength. In the Interim Guidelines: Evaluation, gen induced cracking often increases Repair, Modification and Design of with increasing steel strength. Hydrogen does not Welded Steel Moment Frame Therefore, for higher strength steels typically influence the Structures6 published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency lower levels of hydrogen are required. To simply state “use low hydrogen” is impact toughness, (FEMA), a comparison between low not enough. For example, “low” for a ultimate tensile hydrogen SMAW electrodes and 50 ksi steel may not be “low” for a 100 FCAW and SAW is made. This docu- ksi steel. Rather than require that “only strength or yield ment states, “All of the electrodes that low hydrogen electrodes can be used,” strength results are employed for flux cored arc weld- engineers and fabricators are should ing (both gas shielded and self shield- use statements such as, “only elec- Since low hydrogen SMAW electrodes ed), as well as submerged arc trodes or electrode-flux combinations like E7018 are also required to have a welding, are considered low hydro- capable of depositing weld metal with a minimum specified level of Charpy V- gen.” Implied is the assumption that maximum diffusible hydrogen content of notch (CVN) impact energy, low hydro- FCAW and SAW will provide weld 8 mL/100g (H8) are permitted.” gen is sometimes equated with a deposits with diffusible hydrogen levels minimum CVN level. This has led similar to SMAW electrodes with low Codes That Use some people to specify low hydrogen hydrogen coverings. when the real desire is for notch Hydrogen Designators toughness. The better approach is to Weld Deposit The AWS D1.1 Structural Welding specify notch toughness requirements Code also has several provisions that since there is no automatic link Hydrogen Levels utilize hydrogen designators (e.g., H8). between low diffusible hydrogen con- As mentioned above, no definition For example, Category “D” in the mini- tent in the weld and CVN values. exists for a “low hydrogen weld mum preheat and interpass tempera- Actually, some deposits with high deposit.” The word “low” is an impre- ture table (Table 3.2) allows only hydrogen levels can deliver relatively cise description. The preferred “…electrodes or electrode-flux combi- high levels of notch toughness. For method of controlling the level of nations capable of depositing weld example, the E6010 classification hydrogen in a weld deposit is to use metal with a maximum diffusible (non-low hydrogen, 30-50 mL/100g) the optional hydrogen designators as hydrogen content of 8 mL/100 g (H8).” has a minimum CVN requirement of defined by the American Welding This is a good example of properly 20 ft-lbs at minus 20°F. Society. These designators are in the using the H-designators. form of a suffix on the electrode classi- Use of the Term fication (e.g., H8, H4, and H2). The To simply state filler metal manufacturer may choose in Codes and to add the hydrogen designator to the “use low hydrogen” Specifications electrode classification if the filler is not enough metal meets the diffusible hydrogen Some codes and specifications refer requirements in the applicable AWS The AWS D1.1 Code also has an to hydrogen control in terms of either A5.x filler metal specification. alternate method to determine the (1) requiring low hydrogen SMAW Following are examples of the desig- minimum preheat temperature (Annex electrodes or (2) placing specific limits nator requirements: XI) that uses three levels of diffusible on diffusible hydrogen. The Structural hydrogen. In Annex XI, category H1 is Table 2. Optional Hydrogen Designators Welding Code – Steel (AWS D1.1- called an “extra low hydrogen” at less 2000)5 has provisions related to hydro- Diffusible Hydrogen, than 5 mL/100g. Category H2 is gen in the preheat table (Table 3.2). In mL/100g labeled as “low hydrogen” at less than the table, Category “A” is applicable to 10 mL/100g. The third category, H3, is H8 8 “shielded metal arc welding with other a hydrogen level that is not controlled. than low hydrogen electrodes.” The H4 4 Although category H2 is labeled “low minimum preheat temperatures listed H2 2 hydrogen,” this does not define low
Welding Innovation Vol. XVII, No. 1, 2000
hydrogen electrode as less than 10 • base metal surface condition (conta- trodes only” is listed on the contract, mL/100g. The actual diffusible hydro- mination from oils, grease, dirt, then the contractor may want to ask: gen value can also be used to calcu- moisture, acid, rust and other hydro- “Is only SMAW allowed, or can other late the minimum preheat temperature gen containing materials can processes also be used?” with this method instead of using the increase hydrogen levels); H1, H2 and H3 categories. • relative atmospheric humidity (humid 6. Supplemental hydrogen designators conditions generally lead to higher (e.g., H8 and H4) are the preferred hydrogen levels); way to define a specific level of dif- Job specs should • welding shielding gas (higher mois- fusible hydrogen in the weld deposit be written clearly ture content results in higher hydro- and should be used when needed. gen levels); and precisely • consumable storage conditions 7. Finally, there are applications where regarding the use (improper or prolonged storage can low hydrogen electrodes are not of “low hydrogen” lead to higher hydrogen levels); required or where non-low hydrogen • welding procedures (electrical stick- SMAW electrodes, like E6010, are out, arc voltage, wire feed speed preferred. Therefore, utilizing the The Fracture Control Plan of the AWS and other parameters can influence blanket statement “use low hydro- Bridge Welding Code7 (AWS D1.5-95) diffusible hydrogen). gen” should be avoided. is another fine example of hydrogen control. This code requires the follow- Conclusions References ing for welding Fracture Critical 1 Robert O’Con. “Welding with Low Hydrogen Members: 1. A “low hydrogen electrode” refers Electrodes: A Look at the Past with Tips for • H16, H8 or H4, when the minimum only to a SMAW electrode that has a Today.” Practical Welding Today. March/April specified yield strength is 50 ksi or coating moisture of less than 0.6%. 2000, pp. 33-35. less. 2 American Welding Society. Standard Welding • H8 or H4, when the minimum speci- 2. The maximum diffusible hydrogen Terms and Definitions. (ANSI/AWS A3.0-94), fied yield strength is greater the 50 level associated with low hydrogen 1994. ksi. SMAW electrodes has been a point 3 American Welding Society. Specification for Furthermore, SMAW electrodes can of confusion because SMAW elec- Carbon Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc be used for tack welding without pre- trodes with low hydrogen coatings Welding. (ANSI/AWS A5.1-91), 1994. heat if the electrode has an H4 desig- are not tied to any specific hydrogen 4 nator, according to AWS D1.5. level. American Welding Society. Standard Methods for Determination of Diffusible Hydrogen Content of Martensitic, Bainitic, and Ferritic Other agencies such as the United 3. “Low hydrogen” should not be speci- Steel Weld Metal Produced by Arc Welding. States Military8 and the American fied in order to achieve specific (AWS A4.3-93), 1993, p. 16. Bureau of Shipping9 also set limits on impact properties. If notch tough- 5 American Welding Society. Structural Welding the diffusible hydrogen levels. Both ness is required, then it should be Code – Steel. (AWS D1.1:2000), 2000. use limits of 15, 10 and 5 mL/100g, listed separately from the hydrogen 6 and the military specification has a limits (if any). Federal Emergency Management Agency. stricter limit of 2 mL/100g for some Interim Guidelines: Evaluation, Repair, Modification and Design of Welded Steel applications. Today, a logarithmic sys- 4. Job specifications should be written Moment Frame Structures. (FEMA 267), tem (i.e., H16, H8, H4, and H2) is pre- clearly and precisely regarding the August 1995, p. 8-11. ferred in the United States. use of “low hydrogen.” The intent of 7 the specifier should be listed in such American Welding Society. Bridge Welding Code. (AWS D1.5-95), 1995. a way that the contractor will under- Other Issues stand what is required. 8 United States Military. Military Specification – Using an H8, or even an H4, electrode Electrodes – Welding, Flux Cored, Ordinary with controlled diffusible hydrogen 5. If a contractor has any questions Strength and Low Alloy Steel, (MIL-E- 24403/1D), November 14, 1985. alone provides no guarantee of elimi- regarding in the intent of the engi- nating problems related to hydrogen neer, or if the specifications are not 9 American Bureau of Shipping. Rule during or after welding. In addition to clear, the contractor should seek Requirements for Materials and Welding, the electrode, several other factors can clarification before welding. For Part 2, 1997. influence the diffusible hydrogen level example, if “use low hydrogen elec- and the potential for cracking. These should be considered as well.
Welding for Challenging Environments: Proceedings of the International Conference on Welding for Challenging Environments, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 15–17 October 1985
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