Materials System Specification

20-SAMSS-001 13 February 2012

Welding and Brazing Consumables
Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
3 References.................................................... 2
4 General Requirements.................................. 3
5 Special Requirements................................... 3
6 Packaging...................................................... 4
7 Marking, Documentation and Identification… 5

Previous Issue: 12 October 2005 Next Planned Update: 13 February 2017

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Primary Contact: Sanyasi Rao on 966-3-880-9535

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2012. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Issue Date: 13 February 2012
Next Planned Update: 13 February 2017 Welding and Brazing Consumables

1 Scope

This specification provides the requirements for welding and brazing consumables
(electrodes, rods, wires, and fluxes) to be purchased by Saudi Aramco. It is intended
primarily for but is not restricted to items for SAMS stock. All Direct Charge Purchase
Orders shall also comply with this specification.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.3 If approval of a new electrode is required a request for approval shall be sent from
Standardization to the Chairman of the Welding Standards Committee in CSD.

3 References

Material or equipment supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition
of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco Documents

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME SEC II-C Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and
Filler Metals

American Welding Society

AWS A5 Series Filler Metal Specifications

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Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Issue Date: 13 February 2012
Next Planned Update: 13 February 2017 Welding and Brazing Consumables

AWS 5.01 Filler Metal Procurement Guidelines

4 General Requirements

4.1 Consumables shall be in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code Section II, Part C (ASME SEC II-C) [same as American Welding
Specifications series A5 (AWS A5 Series)]. Approval for consumables not
meeting these requirements shall be obtained following paragraph 2.3. Welding
consumables meeting European or Japanese specifications can be also used after
evaluation and approval by the Chairman of the Welding Standards Committee.

4.2 All consumables shall be tested in accordance with AWS A5.01 (or
European/Japanese equivalent) and the following table for Lot Classification
and Level of Testing. Additional testing requirements may be included in the
purchase order. Certifications shall accompany all materials shipped.

Consumable Type Lot Classification Level of testing

Schedule G for carbon steel
Covered Electrodes Class C1 Schedule H for all other
materials
Bare Solid Electrodes and Rods, Schedule G for carbon steel
Brazing and Braze Welding Filler Class S1 Schedule H for all other
Metal and Consumable Inserts materials
Schedule G for carbon steel
Flux Cored Electrodes and Metal
Class T1 Schedule H for all other
Cored Electrodes and Rods
materials
Flux for Submerged Arc Welding
Class F1 Schedule G for carbon steel
and Brazing and Braze welding

5 Special Requirements

5.1 SMAW electrodes intended specifically for SAMS stock either to replace an
existing item or as a new item shall be field tested in Saudi Arabia by Saudi
Aramco welders designated by the Chairman of the Welding Standards
Committee. Submit requests for approval of new or replacement items in
accordance with paragraph 2.3. The Chairman has the authority for specifying
the type and details of the test requirements for each type of electrode,
conducting the tests, and determination of the acceptability of the electrode
tested. These tests may include but are not restricted to “weldability” trials
(operating characteristics), mechanical properties, chemical composition, and
weld quality.

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Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Issue Date: 13 February 2012
Next Planned Update: 13 February 2017 Welding and Brazing Consumables

5.2 Flux-cored wire shall be produced using a continuous type flux void detection
system. Submit detection system details for approval in accordance with
paragraph 2.3.

6 Packaging

6.1 All welding consumables shall be packaged to prevent damage through normal
handling incurred by ship, air, rail, or truck transportation.

6.2 All welding consumables purchased in shipments greater than 454 kg (1000 lb)
net weight shall be palletized, i.e., boxes or crates placed on pallets and securely
fastened down.

6.3 Submerged-arc welding (SAW) flux shall withstand storage in the original,
unopened package for at least six months in covered sheds at temperatures up
50°C (130°F) and humidity up to 100% without adversely affecting the flux
welding characteristics or exceeding the specified moisture content.

6.4 Coated Electrodes

6.4.1 All coated electrodes shall be hermetically sealed in metal containers at

the factory. The use of cardboard or any paper product container
including plastic-sealed paper boxes is unacceptable. Any containers
received with punctures or with seals otherwise broken shall be rejected.
Low hydrogen electrodes shall conform to AWS A5 Series (or
European/Japanese equivalent) specification covering moisture content
and, if applicable, absorbed moisture and diffusible hydrogen limits, and
shall not require baking on-site prior to use.

6.4.2 Coated electrodes shall be packaged in containers not exceeding 5 kg

(11 lb) net weight. “High usage” consumables may be approved in
larger containers. Requests to use the larger packaging sizes shall be
submitted in accordance with paragraph 2.3. The container size will be
indicated in the Purchase order description.

6.5 Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes

6.5.1 Bare rods (i.e., straight lengths) may be packaged in containers up to

5 kg (10 lb) net weight.

6.5.2 Coils or spools may be purchased in any size allowed by ASME SEC II-C
(or European/Japanese equivalent).

6.5.3 Bare filler metals may be packaged in water resistant paper or cardboard
containers.

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Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Issue Date: 13 February 2012
Next Planned Update: 13 February 2017 Welding and Brazing Consumables

7 Marking, Documentation and Identification

7.1 All electrodes, filler rods and SAW fluxes shall be marked and identified in
accordance with the requirements of ASME SEC II-C (or European/Japanese
equivalent).

7.2 Bare GTAW filler rods supplied in straight lengths shall be individually marked
by tags, stencils, or stamping with the ASME/AWS classification (or
European/Japanese equivalent) or the manufacturer's designation.

7.3 Testing certificates shall accompany all materials shipped in accordance with
paragraph 4.2

Revision Summary
13 February 2012 Major revision to allow using welding consumables that meet European or Japanese
Specifications.

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