ISO 14343:2025

Overview

ISO 14343:2025 - "Welding consumables - Wire electrodes, strip electrodes, wires and rods for arc welding of stainless and heat resisting steels - Classification" defines a global classification system for welding filler metals used with stainless and heat‑resisting steels. The fourth edition (2025) consolidates two widely used classification approaches: system A (nominal composition) and system B (alloy type). Classification is based on chemical composition and covers consumable forms used in a range of arc and laser welding processes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and product forms: Applies to wire electrodes, strip electrodes, wires and rods for gas‑shielded metal arc welding (GMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), plasma arc welding (PAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), electroslag welding (ESW) and laser beam welding.
• Two classification systems:
  • System A (ISO 14343‑A) - designation by nominal chemical composition; process symbol letter is prefixed (G, W, P, S, B, L) to indicate intended welding process.
  • System B (ISO 14343‑B) - designation by alloy type using three‑ or four‑digit codes; uses prefixes such as SS (solid stainless/heat‑resisting wire/rod) and BS (strip electrodes).
• Chemical composition tables: Table 1 (and annexes) provide the composition limits and symbols used to classify consumables. Classification depends on chemical analysis (Clause 6).
• All‑weld metal properties: Requirements and expected minimum tensile properties are provided (see Clause 5 and Annex A).
• Quality procedures: Clauses cover rounding procedures for analytical results, retesting, and technical delivery conditions to support procurement and conformity (Clauses 7–9).
• Designation examples: Clause 10 gives practical examples of how products are marked and specified.

Practical applications and who uses it

ISO 14343:2025 is used to standardize selection, specification and procurement of welding consumables for:

• Welding engineers and fabricators who need compatible filler metals for stainless and heat‑resisting steels.
• Consumable manufacturers for product marking, cataloguing and compliance.
• Procurement and quality managers to ensure traceability and interchangeability across suppliers and regions.
• Specifiers in industries where stainless and heat‑resisting steels are critical (power generation, petrochemical, aerospace, food and pharmaceutical processing, and heavy fabrication).

Benefits include consistent product identification, informed material selection based on chemical composition, and clearer international procurement language.

Related standards

• ISO 544 - technical delivery conditions for filler materials (dimensions, markings)
• ISO 14344 - procurement of filler materials and fluxes
• ISO 80000‑1:2022 - quantities and units

Keywords: ISO 14343:2025, welding consumables, wire electrodes, strip electrodes, stainless steels classification, alloy type, nominal composition, arc welding, filler metals.