SMAW · Low-alloy steel
E9018-B3
The next step up in the chrome-moly family, carrying roughly twice the chromium of the lower class for higher temperature and higher pressure piping.
What the designation means
Point at any character to see what it claims. The classification is a sentence written in fields, not a product name.
- EElectrode for shielded metal arc welding.
- 9090,000 psi minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal.
- 1All welding positions.
- 8Low-hydrogen potassium covering with iron powder, run on direct current electrode positive or alternating current.
- -B3A chromium-molybdenum deposit in the nominal 2.25 percent chromium, 1 percent molybdenum class.
At a glance
- Process
- SMAW
- Family
- Low-alloy steel
- Positions
- All positions
- Polarity
- DCEP, or AC
- Shielding
- Self-shielded by the covering
- Minimum tensile
- 90ksi
Typical uses
- Welds on 2.25 chromium 1 molybdenum high temperature piping
- Power generation headers and hot reheat lines
- Hydroprocessing equipment in refineries
How it runs
- Low-hydrogen arc that runs slightly hotter and stiffer than the carbon steel rods
- Higher hardenability, so preheat and interpass temperature control are mandatory in practice
- Dense slag requiring thorough interpass cleaning
- Deposit normally requires post weld heat treatment to reach specified toughness
Storage and handling
Hermetic packaging until opened, then a heated rod oven. Rebake according to the manufacturer schedule if the rods see atmospheric exposure.
Compare with
SMAWE8018-B2A chrome-moly low-hydrogen rod for the lower alloy grades of high temperature piping, where chromium and molybdenum together resist creep and oxidation.GTAWER90S-B3The higher alloy chrome-moly torch rod, used on the piping grades that run hotter than the lower chromium class can handle, typically with preheat and heat treatment.SMAWE7018-A1The entry point into the creep-resisting low-alloy family, adding molybdenum to a familiar low-hydrogen rod so the joint keeps its strength in hot service.