Originally Posted by
Max Torque
Neil, good way to view and remember the differences. What you said about overall strength is right on the money - the tube will fail before the weld.
Since there are no FAA certified welders, let's go to the place that actually does certify welders for input on filler rod - The American Welding Society(AWS) - and see what they have to say...
AWS sums it up nicely in their handbook and AWS specifications (AWS5)
From AWS’ Welding Inspection Technology book (Chapt. 3)
" ’ER’ designates the wire as being both an electrode and a rod, meaning that it may conduct electricity (electrode), or simply be applied as a filler metal (rod) when used with other welding processes."
and
“The ‘R’ designates it as a rod,‘G’ stands for gas”
However, when we go to pertinent parts of AWS5 (AW5.2 and5.18) we see the following tidbits:
“The welding electrodes and rods classified under this specification are intended for gas shielding arc welding, but that is not to prohibit their use for any other process for which they are found suitable.”
and
“The welding electrodes and rods classified under this specification are intended for oxyfuel gas welding, but that is not to prohibit their use for any other process for which they are found suitable.”
ER70S -2 and -6 are suitable for OFW welding 4130 tube. Are they the best for the application? Perhaps not, but they are suitable. However, RG45 or RG60 or RG65 are more suitable.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
Tom