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IS 812:1957 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method for coding of covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding. IS 812 provides a comprehensive glossary of standard terms and definitions relating to the welding and cutting of metals. It ensures uniform terminology across Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), inspection reports, and engineering drawings.
Describes a method for coding covered electrodes used in manual metal arc welding.
! Use IS 812 to ensure correct terminology when drafting WPS and PQR documents to avoid misinterpretation.
! Note: The title 'Method for Coding of Covered Electrodes' provided in the source often refers to IS 815 or IS 814. IS 812 strictly acts as the glossary of welding terms.
metalssteelwelding electrodes
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
AWS A5.1/A5.1MAmerican Welding Society (AWS), USA
HighCurrent
Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Both standards provide a classification system for carbon steel covered electrodes based on weld metal mechanical properties, usability, and position.
ISO 2560International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
HighCurrent
Welding consumables — Covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding of non-alloy and fine grain steels — Classification
Provides a global classification system for the same type of electrodes; recent versions of the Indian Standard are harmonized with this.
EN ISO 2560European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
HighCurrent
Welding consumables - Covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding of non-alloy and fine grain steels - Classification
The European regional adoption of the ISO standard, making it technically identical and the primary standard for the EU.
JIS Z 3211Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), Japan
MediumCurrent
Covered electrodes for mild steel, high tensile strength steel and low temperature service steel
Covers similar electrode types but uses a distinct national classification system with different designators and property levels.
Key Differences
≠The fundamental designation structure is different. Older IS codes use a format like 'E4111', where AWS uses 'E6013'. The latest IS 814 is now harmonized with ISO 2560, using a more complex system like 'E 43 B...'
≠Tensile strength is indicated in different units within the code. The IS code '41' (in E4111) represents a minimum UTS of 410 MPa, whereas the AWS code '60' (in E6013) represents 60 ksi (approx. 414 MPa).
≠The designator for coating type, welding position, and current type is consolidated differently. In the older IS system, this is the 4th digit. In AWS, it's the last two digits. In ISO 2560, it's a letter code (e.g., R for Rutile, B for Basic).
≠Hydrogen content designation, crucial for low-hydrogen electrodes, is more explicitly coded in modern ISO and AWS standards (e.g., H4, H8 suffixes) than in the older IS 814:1991 system.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on classifying electrodes by the properties of the deposited weld metal, not the electrode itself.
≈The core parameters for classification are consistent across all standards: tensile strength, impact toughness, elongation, welding position, and coating/usability characteristics.
≈All systems use a designator to indicate all-position welding capability (e.g., the first '1' in IS E_ _ _1_ and the third digit '1' in AWS E_ _1_).
≈The fundamental types of electrode coatings are recognized by all standards, such as cellulosic, rutile, and basic (low-hydrogen), although they are coded differently.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard Basis
IS 814 (Note: The topic of electrode coding is covered by IS 814, not IS 812)
AWS A5.1
AWS A5.1
Typical General-Purpose Electrode
E4111 (per older IS 814:1991)
E6013
AWS A5.1
Tensile Strength Code
41 (indicates 410 MPa min. UTS)
60 (indicates 60 ksi or 414 MPa min. UTS)
AWS A5.1
Position & Usability Code
Fourth digit '1' (All position, Rutile, AC/DC-)
Last two digits '13' (All position, Rutile, AC/DC-/+)
AWS A5.1
All-Position Indicator
Included in 4th digit (usability code '1')
Third digit '1' (e.g., E_ _1_)
AWS A5.1
Impact Toughness Designation
Fifth digit (e.g., '2' for 47J @ 0°C)
Typically no mandatory designator; optional suffixes like '-1' exist for specific requirements (e.g., E7018-1).
AWS A5.1
Coating Type Designation (System)
Numeric (part of the usability digit)
Alphabetic (e.g., 'R' for Rutile, 'B' for Basic)
ISO 2560
Typical Low-Hydrogen Electrode
E5118 (per older IS 814:1991)
E7018
AWS A5.1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
No quick reference values available for this code yet.