ER630 – wire and rod for 17-4PH and 15-5PH
Precipitation-hardenable 16Cr-4.8Ni-3.6Cu-Nb filler metal, for welding 17-4PH and 15-5PH steels with an aging response.
Product forms and equivalents
| Process | Classification |
|---|---|
| TIG rod (GTAW) | ER630 |
| Solid MIG/MAG wire (GMAW) | ER630 |
| Covered electrode (SMAW) | E630-15/-16 – AWS A5.4 |
| Designation | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS | ER630 |
| Specification | AWS A5.9/A5.9M / ASME SFA-5.9 |
| UNS | S17480 |
| Others | EN ISO 14343-A: W/G Z 17 4 Cu Nb*; W.Nr. 1.4542* |
| Trade designation | 17-4PH (designação de material) |
Chemical composition (%)
| Element | wt. % |
|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.05 |
| Cr | 16.00 – 16.75 |
| Ni | 4.5 – 5.0 |
| Cu | 3.25 – 4.00 |
| Nb | 0.15 – 0.30 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.75 |
| Mn | 0.25 – 0.75 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 |
Properties of the deposited metal
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength of deposited metal | ≥ 930 MPa (AWS A5.4 minimum for E630, after solution treatment and aging, reference) |
| Elongation | ≥ 7 % (AWS A5.4 minimum for E630, reference)* |
Materials welded with ER630
Why the composition differs from the base metal
The niobium in the wire is much lower than in 17-4PH (0.15–0.30 % versus up to about 0.45 %) and the Cr and Ni ranges are narrow. This reduces hot cracking and adjusts the ferrite content of the bead, which solidifies without the hot working of the bar.
Welding precautions
- Preheating is normally not needed in thin sections; in thick sections, 100–150 °C.
- To recover strength, solution treat (about 1040 °C) and age (e.g. H1150 or H1025) after welding; aging alone already improves it considerably.
- Preferably weld the material in the solution-annealed (Cond. A) or overaged condition.
Frequently asked questions
What is ER630 used for?
Precipitation-hardenable 16Cr-4.8Ni-3.6Cu-Nb filler metal, for welding 17-4PH and 15-5PH steels with an aging response.
Why is the composition of ER630 different from the material it welds?
The niobium in the wire is much lower than in 17-4PH (0.15–0.30 % versus up to about 0.45 %) and the Cr and Ni ranges are narrow. This reduces hot cracking and adjusts the ferrite content of the bead, which solidifies without the hot working of the bar.
Which covered electrode corresponds to ER630?
E630-15/-16 – AWS A5.4.
What precautions apply when welding with ER630?
Preheating is normally not needed in thin sections; in thick sections, 100–150 °C. To recover strength, solution treat (about 1040 °C) and age (e.g. H1150 or H1025) after welding; aging alone already improves it considerably. Preferably weld the material in the solution-annealed (Cond. A) or overaged condition.
