ISO 14171:2016

Overview

ISO 14171:2016 - "Welding consumables - Solid wire electrodes, tubular cored electrodes and electrode/flux combinations for submerged arc welding of non‑alloy and fine grain steels - Classification" - establishes a harmonized classification system for submerged arc welding (SAW) consumables and the weld metal they produce. The standard applies to non‑alloy and fine grain steels with minimum yield strength up to 500 MPa or minimum tensile strength up to 570 MPa, and supports both as‑welded and post‑weld heat‑treated conditions.

Key topics and requirements

• Two classification systems:
  • System A: classification based on yield strength and average impact energy 47 J.
  • System B: classification based on tensile strength and average impact energy 27 J.
    Tables and clauses are suffixed with “A” or “B” to indicate applicability.
• Consumable types covered: solid wire electrodes, tubular cored electrodes, and electrode/flux combinations for submerged arc welding.
• Symbolic designation: class names are built from parts that identify the process (letter S for SAW), tensile/strength class, impact properties, flux type, chemical composition, and optional diffusible hydrogen designation.
• Classification granularity:
  • Solid wire electrodes can be classified separately by chemical composition.
  • Tubular cored electrodes are classified by the all‑weld metal composition produced with a given flux.
  • A single flux can be classified in combination with different wires.
• Testing and techniques: Mechanical tests for multi‑run and two‑run techniques are specified; fluxes for single‑run and two‑run techniques are classified on the two‑run basis.
• Reference tests and limits: mechanical testing, chemical analysis and hydrogen measurement methods are referenced to relevant ISO test methods (see Related Standards).

Practical applications - who uses ISO 14171:2016

• Welding engineers and metallurgists selecting welding consumables to match parent‑metal requirements (yield/tensile and impact properties).
• Manufacturers of wires, cored electrodes and fluxes for product classification and labelling.
• Procurement and quality managers specifying consumables in technical contracts and purchase orders.
• Inspection and certification bodies verifying compliance and interchangeability of electrode/flux combinations.
• R&D teams developing new SAW consumables and validating weld metal properties.

Related standards

Important referenced standards include (normative): ISO 14174 (flux classification), ISO 3690 (hydrogen measurement), ISO 15792‑1/2 (all‑weld metal test methods and specimen preparation), ISO 544, ISO 6847, ISO 13916, and ISO 14344.

ISO 14171:2016 is essential for consistent specification, testing and communication of SAW consumables and weld metal performance in industrial welding of non‑alloy and fine grain steels.