ISO 6848-2015 PDF

Full title and description

Arc welding and cutting — Nonconsumable tungsten electrodes — Classification. This International Standard specifies requirements for the classification, designation and marking of nonconsumable tungsten electrodes used in inert-gas shielded arc welding and for plasma welding, cutting and thermal spraying; informative guidance on conditions of use is given in Annex A.

Abstract

ISO 6848:2015 defines a classification system for nonconsumable tungsten electrodes based on chemical composition (principal oxide additives and tungsten purity), provides marking and designation rules (including a colour-ring and symbol system), and gives information on intended usage and limits for impurities. The document is concise and intended to harmonize product identification and selection for welding and related processes.

General information

• Status: Published (current edition under systematic review).
• Publication date: 10 August 2015.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 25.160.20 — Welding consumables.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2015).
• Number of pages: 9 (ISO edition).

Scope

Specifies requirements for classification of nonconsumable tungsten electrodes intended for inert-gas shielded arc welding (TIG/GTAW) and for plasma welding, cutting and thermal spraying. The standard covers chemical-composition criteria (principal oxide additives and permitted impurities), designation symbols, marking (colour code or symbol marking) and gives informative guidance on conditions of use (Annex A). It is intended to replace earlier editions (2004, 1984) and to be adopted by national and regional bodies as appropriate.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification by chemical composition — identifies electrode types by principal oxide additions (for example ceria, lanthana, thoria variants) and tungsten purity.
• Designation and marking — standard symbols and a minimum-width colour ring near one end of the electrode (or surface-marked symbols) to indicate classification.
• Limits for impurities and mass‑percent ranges for oxide additives and tungsten balance.
• Information on recommended conditions of use (informative Annex A) for different electrode types and processes.
• Normative references and units (references include ISO 80000‑1 for quantities and units where applicable).

Typical use and users

Used by electrode manufacturers and suppliers to label and certify product types; by welding engineers and fabricators to select appropriate electrode chemistry for application (TIG, plasma cutting/welding, thermal spraying); by quality and procurement teams to specify and verify delivered consumables; and by standards bodies and test laboratories for conformity and harmonization of marking and delivery conditions.

Related standards

Replaces earlier editions ISO 6848:2004 and ISO 6848:1984. It is commonly published/adopted regionally as EN ISO 6848:2015 / BS EN ISO 6848:2015 and is cited by other welding procedure and specification standards (for example in materials covering welding procedure specification practices). Normative references include ISO 80000‑1:2009 (Quantities and units — Part 1: General).

Keywords

tungsten electrodes, nonconsumable electrode, TIG, GTAW, plasma welding, plasma cutting, electrode classification, marking, oxide additives, ceria, lanthana, thoria, welding consumables, ISO 6848

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 6848:2015 is an International Standard that defines the classification, designation and marking of nonconsumable tungsten electrodes used in inert-gas shielded arc welding and in plasma welding, cutting and thermal spraying.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers chemical-composition criteria (principal oxide additives and impurity limits), a symbol and colour‑ring marking system, designation rules and informative guidance on conditions of use (Annex A).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers and suppliers of tungsten electrodes, welding and fabrication engineers, procurement and quality teams, test laboratories and standards bodies adopting or referencing electrode classification in specifications and procedures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 6848:2015 is the current edition published on 10 August 2015 and it supersedes ISO 6848:2004; it is maintained under ISO’s systematic review cycle.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the portfolio of welding‑consumable standards developed under ISO/TC 44 (welding and allied processes). National and regional bodies commonly adopt it as EN ISO 6848:2015 or BS EN ISO 6848:2015.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tungsten electrodes, nonconsumable, electrode classification, oxide additives (ceria, lanthana, thoria), colour code, marking, TIG, plasma cutting/welding.