Section 1 General

1.1.1 Provision is made in this Chapter for the approval by Clasifications Register (hereinafter referred to as 'LR') of electrodes, wires, fluxes and other consumables intended for use in the welding of the following types of materials:

1. Steel of various grades as represented by Grade A through to Grade EH96, see Ch 11, 3 Electrodes for manual and gravity welding to Ch 11, 7 Consumables for use in one-side welding with temporary backing materials.

2. A wide range of low-temperature service steels, see Ch 11, 3 Electrodes for manual and gravity welding to Ch 11, 7 Consumables for use in one-side welding with temporary backing materials.

3. Stainless steels including nitrogen strengthened grades and some of the duplex varieties, see Ch 11, 8 Consumables for welding austenitic and duplex stainless steels.

4. Aluminium alloys, see Ch 11, 9 Consumables for welding aluminium alloys.

5. High strength steels for special marine applications, see Ch 11, 10 Consumables for high strength steel for special marine applications.

1.1.2 For this purpose, welding, consumables are categorised and subject to the special requirements of different Sections of this Chapter.

1. Covered electrodes for manual welding and gravity welding.

2. Combinations of wire and flux for automatic submerged-arc welding.

3. Combinations of wire and gas for gas metal-arc welding and wires for self-shielding welding.

4. Combinations for electro-slag and electro-gas welding.

5. Combinations with temporary backing materials for one-side welding.

6. Consumables for welding austenitic and duplex stainless steels.

7. Combinations for welding aluminium.

8. Combinations for welding high strength steel for special marine applications.

1.2.1 Consumables for welding structural steels are graded into twelve strength levels, and each of these is further subdivided into several levels in respect of notch toughness. The five basic levels of toughness are indicated by a number (1 to 5). Normal tensile strength is indicated by `N'. Higher tensile strength is indicated by `Y', and if the yield strength is higher than 375 N/mm² the Y is followed by a number (40 to 96), as shown in Table 11.1.1 Welding consumable grades appropriate to structural and low temperature service steel grades.

1.2.2 In addition to the grade, consumables are also allocated a suffix indicating the welding technique used. These are defined in the context of the following Sections of this Chapter.

1.2.3 Consumables for structural and low temperature service steels may be controlled low hydrogen and approved as such. Grade marking H15, H10 or H5 will be applied, as appropriate.

1.2.4 For joining higher strength steels, approval granted for 1Y consumables will be limited to maximum material thickness of 25 mm.

1.2.5 Test assemblies are not to be subjected to any heat treatment, except in those higher strength grades where it is considered necessary to use the welded joint in the stress relieved (tempered) condition. In those cases, the code 'sr' will be added to the approval grade.

1.2.6 Further details of grading are given in subsequent Sections of this Chapter.

1.3.1 The manufacturer's plant and method of production of welding consumables are to be such as to ensure reasonable uniformity in manufacture.

1.4.1 Welding consumables will be approved subject to a satisfactory inspection of the works by the Surveyor for compliance with the test requirements detailed in subsequent Sections in this Chapter.

1.4.2 The test assemblies are to be prepared under the supervision of the Surveyor, and using samples selected by him. All tests are to be carried out in his presence.

1.4.3 For Charpy V-notch tests, a set of three test specimens is to be prepared and the average energy value is to comply with the requirements of subsequent Sections in this Chapter. One individual value may be less than the required average value provided that it is not less than 70 per cent of this value.

1.4.4 Where chemical analysis is required for approval, the results of the analysis are not to exceed the limit values specified in the standards or by the manufacturer, the narrower tolerances being applicable in each case.

1.4.5 LR may require, in any particular case, such additional tests or requirements as may be necessary.

1.4.6 A List of Approved Welding Consumables is published by LR.

1.4.7 LR is to be notified of any alteration proposed to be made in the process of manufacture subsequent to approval. Sufficient detail is to be provided to determine the need for further testing to maintain the approval.

1.4.8 Consideration will be given to alternative procedures for approval in the case of manufacturers producing consumables under the control of another manufacturer or plant already having approval of one or more products.

1.5.1 All establishments where approved welding consumables are manufactured, and the associated quality control procedures, are to be subjected to annual inspection. On these occasions, samples of the approved consumables are to be selected by the Surveyor and subjected to the tests detailed in subsequent Sections in this Chapter. These are to be completed and reported before the end of the one year period beginning at the initial approval date, and repeated annually so as to provide at least an average of one annual test per year.

1.6.1 Changes in grading of welding consumables will be considered only at the manufacturer's request, preferably at the time of annual testing. For upgrading in connection with impact properties, and uprating in connection with tensile properties, tests from butt weld assemblies will be required in addition to the normal annual approval tests. For upgrading in connection with hydrogen testing, specific tests will be required in accordance with ISO 3690. Downgrading and downrating may be imposed by LR where tests and re-tests fail to meet the requirements of this Chapter.

1.7.1 As an alternative to Ch 11, 1.5 Annual inspection and tests, manufacturers may seek maintenance of approval based on acceptance by LR of their `in house` quality assurance system, and by regular audit of that system carried out in accordance with procedures approved by LR.

1.8.1 Each carton or package of approved consumables is to contain a certificate from the manufacturer, generally in accordance with the following: ‘The <insert name of manufacturer> company certifies that the composition and quality of these consumables conform with those of the consumables used in making the test pieces submitted to and approved by the approval bodies nominated on the label of this package.’