Electrode and Filler Metals ÒõAPPµ¼º½
CSA W48 outlines the requirements for the certification of welding electrodes and consumables by themselves or in conjunction with gas mixtures or fluxes as applicable.
Electrode and Filler Metal ÒõAPPµ¼º½ Overview
The use of CWB-certified welding consumables ensures that electrodes and filler metals used for fabrication and repair meet the specific certification requirements. Using certified consumables also helps to improve weld quality, minimize the number of rejections and repairs, reduce overall production cost, and protect public safety.
The electrode or filler metal used in making the welded connection is a key component in the welding process. Metal from the electrode is introduced in the joint through the welding process, and this metal must be of the same or better chemical and mechanical properties of the materials being welded. The manufacture of these electrodes is a critical process to ensure the desired properties of the weld can consistently be made.
Importance of Electrode and Filler Metals ÒõAPPµ¼º½
Third-party certification of welding consumables is done by the ÒõAPPµ¼º½. Welding consumables certified by the ÒõAPPµ¼º½ have undergone through periodic testing witnessed by the ÒõAPPµ¼º½, and the manufacturing facilities have had annual independent audits of the manufacturing processes and quality management system in place.
ÒõAPPµ¼º½ provides welding consumable certification to CSA W48 and other recognized standards such as AWS A5.
Independent oversight of both testing and the quality management system of the manufacturer by the ÒõAPPµ¼º½ provides an added level of confidence and assurance that the welding consumables meet the minimum requirements of the standards, which minimizes liability and public safety risks.
The ÒõAPPµ¼º½ currently certifies more than 2,600 welding consumables – including those manufactured by Canadian companies and by companies around the world that supply welding consumables to the Canadian marketplace.
CSA Standard W48
In Canada, a number of CSA product standards require welding fabricators to use welding consumables certified in accordance with CSA Standard W48 "Filler metals and allied materials for metal arc welding."
This standard provides requirements for the classification and certification of welding consumables by itself or in conjunction with gas mixtures or fluxes as applicable. The standard provides all requirements on chemical and mechanical properties of the electrodes and acceptable manufacturing tolerances.