Materials System Specification

20-SAMSS-001 03 October 2019

Procurement Guidelines for Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes
Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee

Contents

1 Scope ................................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ..................................... 2
3 References ......................................................... 2
4 Modifications to AWS A5.01 ............................... 2
Attachment A - AWS Filler Metal Specification by
Material and Welding Process .......................... 6
Attachment B - AWS Filler Metal Specification and
Related Document ............................................ 7
Attachment B - AWS Filler Metal Specification and
Related Document (cont’d) ............................... 8
Document History .................................................... 9

Previous Revision: 1 January 2018 Next Revision: 02 February 2022

Contact: GHAMTA0E Page 1 of 9
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved

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 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

1 Scope

This specification is an addendum to AWS A5.01 which covers welding consumables

procurement protocol including 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 Saudi Aramco Materials System (SAMS)
stock. All Direct Charge Purchase Orders shall also comply with this specification.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.
Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.

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 Procedures
SAEP-302 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
AWS 5.01 Procurement Guidelines for Consumables-Welding Allied
Processes-Flux and Gas Shielded Electrical Welding
Processes
International Organization for Standardization
ISO 14344 Welding Consumables-Procurement of Filler Materials
and Fluxes

4 Modifications to AWS A5.01

The following paragraph numbers refer to AWS A5.01, which is the basis of this
specification. The text in each paragraph below is an addition or modification to
AWS A5.01, as noted. Paragraph numbers not appearing in AWS A5.01 are new
paragraphs to be inserted in numerical order.

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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

1 Scope [Modification]
This specification provides the requirements for welding and brazing
consumables (electrodes, rods, wires, and fluxes) to be purchased by Saudi
Aramco.
5 Lot Classification [Modification]
5.5 [Addition] All consumables shall be tested in accordance with AWS A5.01
(or European/Japanese equivalent) and the following table for Lot
Classification.

Consumable Type Lot Classification

Bare Solid Electrode wires and Strips, Rods,
Brazing and Braze Welding Filler Metal and Class S1
Consumable Inserts
Tubular cored electrodes and rods Class T1
Covered Electrodes Class C1
Flux for Submerged Arc Welding Class F1

5.6 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)]. The AWS Filler Metal
Specification by Material and Welding Process are specified in Attachment
A Attachment B highlights the AWS Filler Metal Specification documents.
5.7 For welding consumables meeting European or Japanese specifications,
equivalence to an AWS classification shall be demonstrated through
comparison of the mechanical properties and chemical composition,
usability, coating type (if applicable), manufacturing tolerances, etc., or
through manufacturers certificates/data sheets showing dual certification.
6 Level of Testing
6.1 [Modification] General
The supplied products shall meet the requirement of the applicable
AWS/ISO standards (or other welding consumable standards). The supplier
shall be originally certified by international and reputable testing agencies
certifying that the products are in agreement with the corresponding welding
consumable standards.
6.8 [Addition]
All consumables shall be tested in accordance with AWS A5.01 (or
European/Japanese equivalent) and the following table for level of testing.
Additional testing requirements may be included in the purchase order.
Certifications shall accompany all materials shipped.

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 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

Consumable Type Level of testing

Bare Solid Electrodes and Rods, Schedule G for carbon steel
Brazing and Braze Welding Filler
Metal and Consumable Inserts Schedule H for all other materials

Flux Cored Electrodes and Metal Schedule G for carbon steel

Cored Electrodes and Rods Schedule G and H for all other materials
Schedule G for carbon steel
Covered Electrodes
Schedule G and H for all other materials
Flux for Submerged Arc Welding
Schedule G for carbon steel
and Brazing and Braze welding
6.9 [Addition]
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 II-C. 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.

6.10 [Addition] Flux-cored wire shall be produced using a continuous type flux
void detection system. Submit detection system details for approval in
accordance with paragraph II-C.
7 Packaging [addition]
7.1 All welding consumables shall be packaged to prevent damage through
normal handling incurred by ship, air, rail, or truck transportation.
7.2 All welding consumables purchased in shipments greater than 454 kg
(1,000 lb) net weight shall be palletized, i.e., boxes or crates placed on
pallets and securely fastened down.
7.3 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.
7.4 Coated Electrodes
7.4.1 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

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 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

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.
7.4.2 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.
7.5 Bare Welding Rods and Electrodes
7.5.1 Bare rods (i.e., straight lengths) may be packaged in containers up to
5 kg (10 lb) net weight.
7.5.2 Coils or spools may be purchased in any size allowed by ASME SEC II-C
(or European/Japanese equivalent).
7.5.3 Bare filler metals may be packaged in water resistant paper or cardboard
containers.
8 Marking and Certification [addition]
8.1 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).
8.2 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.
8.3 All tests shall be carried out by a certified testing laboratory verifying
that the supplied materials’ lots are in agreement with the corresponding
welding consumable standards. Certification that the product meets the
AWS A 5.01/ISO 14344 or equivalent standard can be done by the
manufacturer or by a third party. Third party shall witness all tests while
they are being carried out by the manufacturer. The certifying organization
shall be at least certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 17025.
8.4 Test certificates shall accompany all materials shipped in accordance with
paragraph 5.5.

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 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

Attachment A - AWS Filler Metal Specification by Material and Welding Process

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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

Attachment B - AWS Filler Metal Specification and Related Document

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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

Attachment B - AWS Filler Metal Specification and Related Document (cont’d)

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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

 Document Responsibility: Welding Standards Committee 20-SAMSS-001
Publish Date: 03 October 2019 Procurement Guidelines for
Next Revision: 02 February 2022 Consumables - Welding and Allied Processes

Document History
03 October 2019 Editorial to change due date
1 January 2018 Editorial revision to modify and/or delete Section II (Conflicts and
Deviations) and 5.7.
2 February 2017 Major revision to apply overlay format as an addendum to international
standard,
AWS A5.01.
13 February 2012 Major revision to allow using welding consumables that meet European
or Japanese Specifications.

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Saudi Aramco: Company General Use