This specification prescribes the requirements for the classification of bare tungsten and oxide dispersed tungsten electrodes for gas tungsten arc welding and cutting and plasma arc welding and cutting. Classification is based upon the chemical composition of the electrode. Standard sizes, finish, lengths, quantities, product identification, color coding, and chemical composition limits are specified.
This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). Since these are not equivalent, each system must be used independently of the other.
This specification adopts the requirements of ISO 6848:2004 and incorporates the provisions of earlier versions of AWS A5.12, allowing for classifications under both specifications.