What is the scope of AWS A5.35 / A5.35M?
AWS A5.35/A5.35M is the American Welding Society specification that establishes the requirements for the classification of covered electrodes for underwater wet shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) [reference:0].
This is the first edition of the standard developed specifically for electrodes used in underwater wet welding environments [reference:1].
The specification covers ferritic steel, austenitic stainless steel, and nickel filler metals, along with any auxiliary waterproof coatings applied over the electrode covering [reference:2].
The requirements include mechanical properties of the weld metal, weld metal soundness, and usability characteristics of the electrode [reference:3].
Composition requirements for the weld metal, standard sizes and lengths, marking, manufacturing, and packaging are also included [reference:4].
The specification does not govern water depth capability or maximum exposure time for wet welding electrodes; these parameters must be recorded and are subject to marking requirements [reference:5].
The current edition is AWS A5.35/A5.35M:2015 with Amendment 1 (2016) [reference:6].
The specification uses both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI), and each system must be used independently of the other [reference:7].
What is the classification system used in AWS A5.35 / A5.35M?
The AWS A5.35 classification system is structured around a prefix that identifies the electrode as suitable for underwater wet welding, followed by designators for the base metal type, tensile strength, coating type, position capability, and weld metal soundness/mechanical property level [reference:8].
The classification designations begin with the letters “UWE” for ferritic steel electrodes, “UME” for austenitic stainless steel electrodes, and “UWENi” for nickel electrodes [reference:9].
Following this prefix, a two-digit tensile strength designator indicates the minimum tensile strength of the weld metal: for the A5.35 (U.S. Customary) system, the number multiplied by 1,000 psi gives the minimum tensile strength (e.g., UWE60 indicates 60,000 psi); for the A5.35M (SI) system, the number multiplied by 10 MPa gives the minimum tensile strength (e.g., UWE43 indicates 430 MPa) [reference:10].
The coating type and usability characteristics are denoted by a numeral following the strength designator, such as “XX” in the classification table, which indicates the specific electrode covering type and welding characteristics [reference:11].
A position designator (Z) follows: “A” designates all-position capability, “F” designates flat position only, and “H” designates flat and horizontal positions only [reference:12].
The final designator (Y) indicates the weld metal soundness and mechanical property level, with levels 1, 2, or 3 representing progressively more stringent testing and performance requirements [reference:13].
This comprehensive classification system enables welding engineers to specify electrodes that meet the unique demands of underwater wet welding applications.
Verify the complete designator rules with the latest edition.
What is the complete list of AWS A5.35 / A5.35M classifications?
The complete list of classifications under AWS A5.35/A5.35M is enumerated in the standard’s classification tables.
Based on the ASME Section II, Part C adoption of the standard, the classifications fall into three base metal categories: ferritic steel, austenitic stainless steel, and nickel [reference:14].
The classifications are presented below by base metal type, with the U.S. Customary (A5.35) and SI (A5.35M) designations shown side by side where both are specified.
Because AWS standards are periodically revised, verify the complete and current list with the latest edition.
Ferritic steel electrode classifications
UWE60XX-YZ [UWE43XX-YZ]
UWE70XX-YZ [UWE49XX-YZ]
These classifications designate ferritic steel covered electrodes for underwater wet shielded metal arc welding [reference:15].
The “XX” in the designation represents the coating type and usability characteristics, which correspond to the electrode covering classifications found in AWS A5.1/A5.1M (such as E6013, E7014, E7018, and similar types) [reference:16].
The tensile strength designators indicate minimum strengths of 60,000 psi (430 MPa) for UWE60/UWE43 and 70,000 psi (490 MPa) for UWE70/UWE49 [reference:17].
The position designator follows the “XX” coating designator, and the Y designator indicates the weld metal soundness level (1, 2, or 3) [reference:18].
Electrodes that conform to an applicable AWS specification (such as A5.1/A5.1M) carry the “E” designation in the classification number, while non-conforming electrodes use the primary alloy element followed by “XX” [reference:19].
Verify the complete list of coating types and combinations with the latest edition.
Austenitic stainless steel electrode classifications
UME33XX-16-YZ
This classification designates austenitic stainless steel covered electrodes for underwater wet welding [reference:20].
The “33” tensile strength designator corresponds to a minimum tensile strength of approximately 330 MPa (48 ksi) in the SI system, which is the specified value for this classification in A5.35M [reference:21].
The “-16” suffix indicates the electrode covering type, which in the AWS A5.4/A5.4M system designates a rutile coating suitable for AC or DCEP welding [reference:22].
The electrode composition conforms to the austenitic stainless steel classifications found in AWS A5.4/A5.4M, such as E308, E309, E316, and their low-carbon variants [reference:23].
The position designator and soundness level designator follow the same convention as the ferritic steel classifications.
Verify the complete list of stainless steel compositions and coating types with the latest edition.
Nickel electrode classifications
UWENiXX-YZ
This classification designates nickel covered electrodes for underwater wet welding [reference:24].
The “Ni” designation indicates a nickel-based electrode composition, and the “XX” designator specifies the primary alloying elements and composition range.
The standard notes that there is no applicable AWS specification for nickel underwater wet welding electrodes, meaning that the classification requirements for these electrodes are established solely within A5.35/A5.35M [reference:25].
The tensile strength and position/soundness designators follow the same convention as the other base metal categories.
Nickel electrodes are used for underwater welding of nickel alloys, dissimilar joints, and applications requiring corrosion resistance or high-temperature performance.
Verify the complete list of nickel compositions with the latest edition.
Position and soundness designators
The position designator (Z) indicates the welding positions for which the electrode is suitable: “A” for all positions, “F” for flat position only, and “H” for flat and horizontal positions only [reference:26].
The soundness/mechanical property level designator (Y) indicates the level of weld metal quality, with values of 1, 2, or 3 representing progressively more stringent testing and examination requirements [reference:27].
These designators are appended to the base classification to fully specify the electrode’s capabilities and performance level.
Verify the specific requirements for each level with the latest edition.
What do the designators in AWS A5.35 / A5.35M classifications signify?
Each element of an AWS A5.35 classification conveys specific technical information about the electrode and its performance characteristics.
The prefix “U” indicates underwater wet welding, “W” indicates wet welding, and “E” indicates a covered electrode.
The base metal type is denoted by the letters that follow: for ferritic steel electrodes, no additional letter is used beyond the “UWE” prefix; for austenitic stainless steel, “M” is used (UME); and for nickel electrodes, “Ni” is used (UWENi) [reference:28].
The tensile strength designator indicates the minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal, expressed in thousands of psi for A5.35 or tens of MPa for A5.35M [reference:29].
The coating type designator (XX) specifies the electrode covering composition and usability characteristics, which are referenced to the corresponding classifications in AWS A5.1/A5.1M for ferritic steel and AWS A5.4/A5.4M for austenitic stainless steel [reference:30].
The position designator (A, F, or H) indicates the welding positions for which the electrode is qualified [reference:31].
The soundness level designator (1, 2, or 3) indicates the level of weld metal quality based on testing and examination results [reference:32].
This systematic designation enables welding engineers to select electrodes based on base metal type, strength requirement, position capability, and quality level.
Verify the complete designator rules and any additional classification criteria with the latest edition.
What are the mechanical property and soundness requirements?
The mechanical property requirements for AWS A5.35 electrodes include minimum tensile strength, minimum yield strength, and minimum elongation, along with Charpy V-notch impact toughness where applicable.
The tensile strength designator in the classification directly correlates to the minimum specified tensile strength: UWE60/UWE43 designates 60,000 psi (430 MPa), UWE70/UWE49 designates 70,000 psi (490 MPa), and UME33 designates 330 MPa (48 ksi) [reference:33].
The weld metal soundness and mechanical property levels (1, 2, or 3) represent progressively more stringent requirements for radiographic examination, bend testing, and mechanical property verification [reference:34].
The specific soundness level requirements are determined by Table 6 of the standard, which correlates testing and examination results with level identification [reference:35].
The precise mechanical property tables are contained within the standard and should be consulted directly for design and qualification purposes.
Verify all mechanical property requirements with the latest edition.
What are the chemical composition requirements?
The chemical composition requirements for AWS A5.35 electrodes apply to the weld metal produced by the electrode.
For ferritic steel electrodes, the composition corresponds to the requirements of the applicable AWS A5.1/A5.1M classifications, such as E6013, E7014, or E7018 [reference:36].
For austenitic stainless steel electrodes, the composition corresponds to the requirements of the applicable AWS A5.4/A5.4M classifications, such as E308, E309, or E316 [reference:37].
For nickel electrodes, the standard notes that there is no applicable AWS specification, meaning that the composition requirements are established within A5.35/A5.35M itself [reference:38].
The composition requirements include limits for carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and other alloying elements as applicable to each base metal category.
The precise chemical composition tables are contained within the standard and should be consulted directly.
Verify all compositional requirements with the latest edition of AWS A5.35/A5.35M.
AWS A5.35/A5.35M does not exist in isolation; several companion specifications provide the base classifications and requirements that are referenced by the underwater wet welding electrode standard.
AWS A5.1/A5.1M specifies covered carbon steel electrodes for shielded metal arc welding and provides the coating type and composition references for ferritic steel underwater electrodes [reference:39][reference:40].
AWS A5.4/A5.4M specifies covered austenitic stainless steel electrodes for shielded metal arc welding and provides the composition references for stainless steel underwater electrodes [reference:41][reference:42].
AWS A5.01M/A5.01 (ISO 14344 MOD) provides procurement guidelines for welding consumables and is referenced for the acceptance of welding electrodes to which auxiliary waterproof coatings are to be applied [reference:43].
AWS D3.6M specifies underwater welding code requirements and provides the broader framework for qualification and application of underwater welding procedures.
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section II, Part C, adopts AWS A5.35 as SFA-5.35/SFA-5.35M, and users should confirm the corresponding SFA edition for their application [reference:44].
Consulting these specifications together provides a comprehensive framework for underwater wet welding electrode selection, qualification, and quality assurance.
The AWS filler metal classification system is organized by welding process and base metal type, with each specification (A5.x) addressing a distinct process or product form.
AWS A5.35 is unique within this system in that it addresses covered electrodes specifically for underwater wet shielded metal arc welding, a specialized application environment that imposes additional requirements beyond those of conventional surface welding.
The “A5” series covers filler metals for arc welding, brazing, and braze welding, and the numbering sequence roughly corresponds to the chronological development of the specifications.
The “/A5.35M” 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.
The 2015 edition, with Amendment 1 issued in 2016, represents the first edition of this specification, reflecting the growing importance of underwater welding in offshore structures, ship repair, and subsea pipeline applications.
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 A5.35/A5.35M.
