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ASME P Number
F numbers are a means of grouping filler metals. In the beginning, when SMAW was 'King of the Mountain,' the F numbers had more validity. As mentioned by several of our community, F1 through F4 are SMAW covered electrodes used on carbon and high strength low alloy steels. The F5 group are SMAW covered electrodes used for joining stainless steels. F-Numbers of filler metals can be found in ASME Section IX’s Number Table QW-432 an extract is shown as following: F - Numbers. Electrodes/Welding Rods: F - No. 4043 filler metal has several benefits such as excellent crack and corrosion resistance, its ability to tolerate postweld heat treatment, its performance in high-temperature applications of 150 to 350 degrees F, and ductility.
To reduce the number of welding and brazing procedure qualifications required base metals have been assigned P-Numbers by the ASME BPVC. Ferrous metals which have specified impact test requirements have been assigned Group Numbers within P-Numbers.
![Filler Metal F No Filler Metal F No](/uploads/1/1/9/5/119585128/300230342.png)
These assignments have been based on comparable base metal characteristics, such as:
- Composition
- Weldability
- Brazeability
- Mechanical Properties
Indiscriminant substitution of materials in a set of P-Numbers or Group Numbers may lead to problems or potentially failures. Engineering assessment is necessary prior to a change in materials.
When a base metal with a UNS number Designation is assigned a P-Number, then a base metal listed in a different ASME material specification with the same UNS number shall be considered that P-Number.
The table below is a guide and is for instructive purposes only. Anyone specifying materials or requirements should refer directly to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code to specify materials.
P-Numbers | Base Metal (Typical or Example) |
1 | Carbon Manganese Steels (four Group Numbers) |
2 | Not Used |
3 | Half Molybdenum or half Chromium, half Molybdenum (three Group Numbers) |
4 | One and a quarter Chromium, half Molybdenum (two Group Numbers) |
5A | Two and a quarter Chromium, one Molybdenum |
5B | Five Chromium, half Molybdenum or nine Chromium, one Molybdenum (two Group Numbers) |
5C | Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium (five Group Numbers) |
6 | Martensitic Stainless Steels (Grade 410, 415, 429) (six Group Numbers) |
7 | Ferritic Stainless Steels (Grade 409, 430) |
8 | Austenitic Stainless Steels · Group 1 – Grades 304, 316, 317, 347 · Group 2 – Grades 309, 310 · Group 3 – High Manganese Grades · Group 4 – High Molybdenum Grades |
9A, B, C | Two to four Nickel Steels |
10A, B, C, F | Various low alloy steels |
10H | Duplex and Super Duplex Stainless Steel (Grades 31803, 32750) |
10I | High Chromium Stainless Steel |
10J | High Chromium, Molybdenum Stainless Steel |
10K | High Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel Stainless Steel |
11A | Various high strength low alloy steels (six Group Numbers) |
11B | Various high strength low alloy steels (ten Group Numbers) |
12 to 20 | Not Used |
21 | High Aluminum content (1000 and 3000 series) |
22 | Aluminum (5000 series – 5052, 5454) |
23 | Aluminum (6000 series – 6061, 6063) |
24 | Not Used |
25 | Aluminum (5000 series – 5083, 5086, 5456) |
26 to 30 | Not used |
31 | High Copper content |
32 | Brass |
33 | Copper Silicone |
34 | Copper Nickel |
35 | Copper Aluminum |
36 to 40 | Not Used |
41 | High Nickel content |
42 | Nickel, Copper – (Monel 500) |
43 | Nickel, Chromium, Iron – (Inconel) |
44 | Nickel, Molybdenum – (Hastelloy B2, C22, C276, X) |
45 | Nickel, Chromium |
46 | Nickel, Chromium, Silicone |
47 | Nickel, Chromium, Tungsten |
47 to 50 | Not Used |
51, 52, 53 | Titanium Alloys |
61, 62 | Zirconium Alloys |
ASME F Number
The F-number grouping of electrode and welding rod in QW-432 is based essentially on their usability characteristics, which fundamentally determine the ability of welders to make satisfactory welds with a given filler metal. This grouping is made to reduce the number of welding procedure and performance qualifications, where this can logically be done. The grouping does not imply that base metals or filler metals within a group may be indiscriminately substituted for a metal which was used in the qualification test without consideration of the compatibility of the base and filler metal from the standpoint of metallurgical properties, PWHT design and service requirements, and mechanical properties.
F Number | General Description |
1 | Heavy rutile coated iron powder electrodes :- A5.1 : E7024 |
2 | Most Rutile consumables such as :- A5.1 : E6013 |
3 | Cellulosic electrodes such as :- A5.1 : E6011 |
4 | Basic coated electrodes such as : A5.1 : E7016 and E7018 |
5 | High alloy austenitic stainless steel and duplex :- A5.4 : E316L-16 |
6 | Any steel solid or cored wire (with flux or metal) |
2X | Aluminium and its alloys |
3X | Copper and its alloys |
4X | Nickel alloys |
5X | Titanium |
6X | Zirconium |
7X | Hard Facing Overlay |
Note:- X represents any number 0 to 9
Reference: iiwindia literature and ASME Section IX
![Filler Metal F No Filler Metal F No](/uploads/1/1/9/5/119585128/451212663.png)
Keep reading, happy welding
Thank you,
KP Bhatt
This article provides information about F number in WeldingProcedure Specification based on the requirement of ASME Code Section IX.
The F number grouping of filler metals refers to theirsimilarity on their usability characteristics. The usability determines theability of a welder to deposit a sound weld metal with a certain filler metal.
The F number is essential variable in the most weldingprocess for welding procedure specification and also in welding performancequalifications. Like the P number, the Fnumber designed to reduce the number of procedure qualification and weldingperformance qualification.
I have seen some many people confusing about F number andbelieving the F number is grouping for the similar chemical composition. Thisis not true, and F number is only about of usability characteristics such aswelding position.
F number in Welding Procedure Specification
Table QW-432 in ASME Code Section IX provides the list of Fnumbers. Any change from one F number in welding to the other F number is essentialvariable in the welding procedure specification. The changing from one F numberto other F number is a little bit different in welding performancequalification. The essential variable tables in welding performancequalification (QW-352 thru 357) refer you to the QW-433 for the range of qualification.
For example, a welder qualified with F number 4, he alsowill be qualified on the F numbers 1, 2 and 3.
Some contractors use the essential variable tables (QW-352thru 357) to minimize their costs. For instance, they might test the welder forstainless steel material by using carbon steel material. Consider the actualproject material is stainless steel and you do not want to waste stainlesssteel material for testing. You ask the welder to weld in carbon steel materialbut with stainless steel filler metal. Based on the essential variable table Pnumber 1 (Carbon Steel) qualifies P 8 (Stainless Steel), and the F number isthe same. So you qualify your welder for stainless steel material by usingcarbon steel material but stainless steel filler metal.
When you have a welder or welding operator with a certainqualification, and you want to use him in some other job, you need to see ifall the variables in the essential variable table confirm his qualification forthe new job. Each of the item in the table has veto right, if 6 out of 7 is Ok,but only 1 of them is not meeting the requirements, and then you cannot usethat welder in the new job and you need to re-qualify him by the new test.
The ASME Section IX Training Course is 2 days video training course and available online and the student that successfully pass the exam, receive I4I academy certificate with 16 hours training credit.
Related Links:
Nonessential Variables, Supplementary Essential Variables, A number in WPS
Filler Metal F Notes
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