What is the scope of AWS A5.30 / A5.30M?
AWS A5.30/A5.30M is the American Welding Society specification that prescribes requirements for the classification of consumable inserts used in conjunction with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and related fusion welding processes.
The standard covers consumable inserts made from plain carbon steel, chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel, chromium-nickel stainless steel, nickel alloy, and copper-nickel alloy.
Five classes of consumable inserts are defined based on cross-sectional design, and each class is further subdivided into two or three styles based on the shape of the insert.
The chemical composition of each consumable insert is specified either within the standard itself or by reference to the composition limits of another AWS A5 solid wire specification.
The standard also addresses dimensional requirements, packaging, marking, and application guidelines.
The current edition is AWS A5.30/A5.30M:2022, which is the fourth edition and revises the 2007 edition.
A revision project designated BSR/AWS A5.30/A5.30M-202x has been initiated to further update the specification.
The specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and SI units, and each system must be used independently of the other.
What is the classification system used in AWS A5.30 / A5.30M?
The AWS A5.30 classification system is structured around two parallel dimensions: cross-sectional design class and chemical composition.
The class designation (Class 1 through Class 5) describes the cross-sectional geometry of the consumable insert, which determines its intended joint configuration and root-pass application.
Within each class, the style designation (Style A, B, C, D, or E) further defines the physical shape of the insert, such as a coiled wire, a preformed ring with an open lap joint, or a preformed ring with an open butt joint.
The chemical composition of the insert is identified by a classification code that follows the “IN” prefix system, where “IN” denotes an insert.
The composition designator may be a numeric code specific to A5.30 (such as IN61, IN62, IN67, or IN6A) or may reference the composition limits of a corresponding solid wire specification, such as ER70S-2 for carbon steel or ER308L for stainless steel.
This dual classification approach allows welding engineers to specify both the mechanical fit of the insert in the joint and the metallurgical properties of the deposited weld metal.
Verify the complete designator rules with the latest edition.
What is the complete list of AWS A5.30 / A5.30M classifications?
The classifications below are compiled from publicly available sources, including AWS reference tables, ASME SFA-5.30 adoption documents, and standard summaries.
Because AWS standards are periodically revised, verify the complete and current list with the latest edition.
Carbon steel consumable insert classifications
Class 1
Class 2
These classes cover consumable inserts for plain carbon steel root-pass welding.
The insert composition typically corresponds to carbon steel filler metal compositions such as those classified under AWS A5.18/A5.18M, including ER70S-2, ER70S-3, and ER70S-6 equivalents.
Class 1 and Class 2 inserts are commonly used for pipe and tube root passes where complete joint penetration and uniform root bead geometry are required.
Verify the specific composition and dimensional requirements with the latest edition.
Chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel consumable insert classifications
Class 3
Class 3 consumable inserts are intended for chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel root-pass welding.
The composition designators for Class 3 inserts reference the alloy systems found in AWS A5.28/A5.28M, including B1 (0.5% Cr-0.5% Mo), B2 (1.25% Cr-0.5% Mo), and B3 (2.25% Cr-1% Mo).
These inserts are used in elevated-temperature service applications such as power plant piping and pressure vessel fabrication.
The Class 3 cross-sectional design typically includes styles D and E, which are preformed ring configurations with specific overlap or gap dimensions.
Verify the complete composition and style combinations with the latest edition.
Stainless steel consumable insert classifications
Class 4
IN5XX
IN3XX(X)
IN8-X
IN3XXXX
Class 4 consumable inserts cover chromium-nickel stainless steel compositions.
The “IN5XX” series corresponds to 500-series stainless steel compositions, while “IN3XX(X)” corresponds to 300-series austenitic stainless steel compositions such as 308L, 309L, 316L, and their variants.
The “IN3XXXX” designation covers higher-alloy stainless steel grades.
The “IN8-X” designation covers specialty stainless steel compositions for specific corrosion or high-temperature applications.
Stainless steel inserts are classified according to the chemical composition limits of the corresponding solid wire specification, such as AWS A5.9/A5.9M.
Verify the complete IN-series list with the latest edition.
Nickel alloy consumable insert classifications
Class 5
IN61
IN62
IN67
IN6A
Class 5 consumable inserts cover nickel alloy compositions for root-pass welding of nickel-based alloys and dissimilar metal joints.
IN61 corresponds to nickel-chromium alloy compositions, IN62 corresponds to nickel-chromium-iron alloy compositions, IN67 corresponds to nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy compositions, and IN6A corresponds to a specific nickel alloy composition within the A5.30 classification system.
These inserts reference the composition limits of corresponding nickel alloy solid wire specifications such as AWS A5.14/A5.14M.
Nickel alloy inserts are used in high-temperature, corrosion-resistant, and dissimilar metal applications.
Verify the complete IN-series list with the latest edition.
Copper-nickel alloy consumable insert classifications
Class 4 (copper-nickel compositions)
IN67
Copper-nickel consumable inserts are covered within the A5.30 specification for joining copper-nickel alloys and for dissimilar metal applications involving copper-nickel to steel joints.
The IN67 designation appears in AWS reference tables for copper-nickel insert compositions and is cited alongside ECuNi and ERCuNi filler metals.
These inserts reference the composition limits of corresponding copper-nickel solid wire specifications such as AWS A5.7/A5.7M.
Verify the complete composition and application requirements with the latest edition.
What are the cross-sectional design classes and insert styles?
The five cross-sectional design classes under AWS A5.30 define the geometry of the consumable insert and its intended joint configuration.
The styles within each class define the physical form of the insert and its preparation for installation.
The classification of an insert combines both the class designation and the style designation to fully specify its form and function.
Verify the complete class and style definitions with the latest edition.
Class 1 and Class 2 inserts
Class 1 and Class 2 consumable inserts are used for root-pass welding of plain carbon steel joints.
These classes typically include Style A (coiled consumable insert), Style B (preformed rings with an open lap joint), and Style C (preformed rings with an open butt joint).
The inserts are placed in the root gap before welding and are fully consumed by the welding arc, becoming part of the deposited weld metal.
They ensure complete joint penetration and consistent root bead geometry, particularly in pipe and tube welding applications where access to the root is limited.
Verify the specific composition and dimensional requirements with the latest edition.
Class 3 inserts
Class 3 consumable inserts are used for chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel joints.
This class includes Style D and Style E preformed ring configurations, which are designed for specific joint geometries and root gap dimensions.
The Class 3 insert design ensures proper fit-up and complete fusion in Cr-Mo steel piping and pressure vessel applications.
The chemical composition of Class 3 inserts corresponds to the B-series alloys found in AWS A5.28/A5.28M.
Verify the dimensional requirements and style definitions with the latest edition.
Class 4 and Class 5 inserts
Class 4 consumable inserts cover chromium-nickel stainless steel and copper-nickel alloy compositions.
Class 5 consumable inserts cover nickel alloy compositions.
Both classes may include multiple styles depending on the specific joint configuration and base metal combination.
The inserts in these classes are used in corrosion-resistant, high-temperature, and dissimilar metal applications where precise root-pass control is critical.
The chemical compositions reference the corresponding solid wire specifications: AWS A5.9/A5.9M for stainless steel, AWS A5.14/A5.14M for nickel alloys, and AWS A5.7/A5.7M for copper-nickel alloys.
Verify the complete class, style, and composition combinations with the latest edition.
What are the chemical composition requirements for AWS A5.30 consumable inserts?
The chemical composition requirements for AWS A5.30 consumable inserts are specified in the standard’s tables for carbon steel, chromium-molybdenum steel, chromium-nickel stainless steel, and copper-nickel and nickel alloy compositions.
The composition of the consumable insert is designed to match or closely approximate the composition of the corresponding solid wire filler metal classification.
For carbon steel inserts, the composition corresponds to ER70S-series classifications under AWS A5.18/A5.18M.
For chromium-molybdenum steel inserts, the composition corresponds to ER80S-B2, ER90S-B3, and related classifications under AWS A5.28/A5.28M.
For stainless steel inserts, the composition corresponds to ER3XX-series classifications under AWS A5.9/A5.9M.
For nickel alloy inserts, the composition corresponds to ERNiCr-series classifications under AWS A5.14/A5.14M.
The precise chemical composition tables are contained within the standard and should be consulted directly for design and qualification purposes.
Verify all compositional requirements with the latest edition of AWS A5.30/A5.30M.
What are the dimensional and mechanical property requirements?
The dimensional requirements for AWS A5.30 consumable inserts include cross-sectional dimensions, tolerances, and minimum overlap dimensions for specific class and style combinations.
The standard defines standard shapes, styles, and sizes for each class of insert.
The mechanical properties of the deposited weld metal are not specified as a separate classification requirement for the insert itself; instead, the insert composition is designed to produce weld metal with properties consistent with the corresponding solid wire classification.
The standard also includes requirements for finish and uniformity, standard package forms, insert identification, packaging, and marking of packages.
The precise dimensional tables and tolerances are contained within the standard and should be consulted directly for design and qualification purposes.
Verify all dimensional and packaging requirements with the latest edition.
AWS A5.30/A5.30M does not exist in isolation; several companion specifications provide the composition limits for the insert materials and cover related filler metal product forms.
AWS A5.18/A5.18M is the primary specification for carbon steel electrodes and rods for gas shielded arc welding and provides the composition limits for carbon steel consumable inserts.
AWS A5.28/A5.28M specifies low-alloy steel electrodes and rods for gas shielded arc welding and provides the composition limits for chromium-molybdenum consumable inserts.
AWS A5.9/A5.9M specifies bare stainless steel welding electrodes and rods and provides the composition limits for stainless steel consumable inserts.
AWS A5.14/A5.14M specifies nickel and nickel alloy bare welding electrodes and rods and provides the composition limits for nickel alloy consumable inserts.
AWS A5.7/A5.7M specifies copper and copper-alloy bare welding rods and electrodes and provides the composition limits for copper-nickel consumable inserts.
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section II, Part C, adopts AWS A5.30 as SFA-5.30/SFA-5.30M, and the ASME edition includes an informative annex that serves as a guide to the specification.
Consulting these specifications together provides a comprehensive framework for consumable insert selection, qualification, and quality assurance.
The AWS filler metal classification system is organized by welding process and product form, with each specification (A5.x) addressing a distinct filler metal category.
AWS A5.30 is unique within this system in that it addresses consumable inserts, which are a distinct product form from the electrodes, rods, and fluxes covered by most other A5 specifications.
Consumable inserts are pre-placed in the weld joint and consumed by the welding arc, serving a function similar to that of a root-pass backing or a controlled-composition filler addition.
The “A5” series covers filler metals and related consumables for arc welding, and the numbering sequence roughly corresponds to the chronological development of the specifications.
The “/A5.30M” suffix indicates that the specification includes both U.S. Customary Units and SI units, a convention applied to AWS standards that have been harmonized with ISO practices.
Users should always confirm that they are working from the most current edition of any AWS specification, as classifications and requirements may be added, revised, or withdrawn between editions.
Verify the current edition number and any superseded designations with the latest edition of AWS A5.30/A5.30M.
