This specification prescribes requirements for the classification of bare stainless steel wire, strip, composite metal cored, and stranded welding electrodes and rods for gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc, submerged arc, and other fusion welding processes. The chromium content of these filler metals is not less than 10.5 percent and the iron content exceeds that of any other element. For purposes of classification, the iron content shall be derived as the balance element when all other elements are considered to be at their minimum specified values.

Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard and, therefore, are not fully addressed herein. Some safety and health information can be found in Informative Annex Clauses A6 and A11. Safety and health information is available from other sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes,¹ and applicable federal and state regulations.

This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). The measurements are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other without combining in any way. The specification designated A5.9 uses U.S. Customary Units; and the specification designated A5.9M uses SI Units. The latter units are shown within brackets [ ] or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. Standard dimensions based on either system may be used for sizing of filler metal or packaging or both under A5.9 or A5.9M specification.

¹ ANSI Z49.1 is published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.