If you’ve ever dabbled in welding, you probably know there are numerous materials and alloys to choose from. One less common but highly versatile alloy is AWS Class ERZR-4, a zirconium-containing alloy often used in the aerospace and nuclear industries. This post thoroughly explores this mysterious material, examining its composition, mechanical and physical properties, corrosion resistance, and applications to provide a comprehensive guide.
What is AWS Class ERZR-4 MIG & TIG?
AWS Class ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Zirconium Alloy is a type of specialized zirconium alloy used for welding and fabrication tasks due to its superior properties. Combining MIG (Metal Inert Gas) and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding techniques with zirconium gives it improved strength, corrosion resistance, high-temperature performance, excellent weldability, and increased longevity. This makes it an ideal choice for applications with essential durability, such as aerospace components or industrial parts exposed to extreme temperatures or harsh chemicals.
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Welding Wire Composition
AWS Class ERZR-4 is a zirconium-based alloy often containing small amounts of copper and nickel. It offers good corrosion resistance and high-strength properties, making it an ideal material for high-pressure applications, aerospace, and nuclear power generation. Adding copper and nickel enhances its mechanical properties, making it highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking.
| Cr | Fe | O | Sn | Zr |
| 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.12 | 1.4 | 98.5 |
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Coated Wire Mechanical Properties
AWS Class ERZR-4 exhibits remarkable mechanical properties, including high ultimate tensile strength and elongation. It has a tensile strength of 75,000 psi and 15% elongation, meaning it can withstand considerable loads before deforming. Moreover, the alloy’s ductility and toughness make it less susceptible to brittle fracture failures, making it ideal for welding applications.
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | Tensile Strength, Yield | MPa @Strain | Elongation at Break | Modulus of Elasticity | Poissons Ratio | Shear Modulus |
| 413 MPa | 214 | 20 % | 0.200 % GPa | 99.3 | 0.37 | 36.2 GPa |
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Welding Wire Physical Properties
AWS Class ERZR-4 filler wire has a 6.52g/cm3 density, slightly higher than pure zirconium. It also has a melting point of 3,578°F and a 13 W/m·K thermal conductivity. These properties make it an excellent choice for high-temperature applications and harsh environments that require materials to withstand intense heat.
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Coated Wire Trade Name
| Class | UNS |
| ERZR-4 | R60707 |
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Welding Wire Parameters
| Diameter |
Process |
Volt | Amps |
Shielding Gas |
|
| in | (mm) | ||||
| 1/16 | 1.6 |
GTAW |
12-15 |
80-150 |
100% Argon |
| 3/32 | 2.4 |
GTAW |
12-15 |
130-200 |
100% Argon |
| 1/8 | 3.2 |
GTAW |
112-15 |
180-225 |
100% Argon |
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Coated Wire Applications
AWS Class ERZR-4 filler metal is extensively used in the aerospace and nuclear industries. Since it demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance, it’s often employed in pressure vessel applications, such as fuel cladding in nuclear reactors. It’s also used in aerospace, where its high strength-to-weight ratio is leveraged.
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Welding Wire Corrosion Resistance
AWS Class ERZR-4 exhibits excellent corrosion resistance properties, superior to pure zirconium. Its corrosion resistance is attributed to forming a protective oxide layer on its surface, which inhibits further corrosion. Additionally, the alloy’s presence of nickel and copper further improves its corrosion resistance.
ERZR-4 MIG & TIG Coated Wire Heat Treatment
AWS Class ERZR-4 can be heat-treated using conventional techniques, such as annealing, normalizing, and stress-relieve. These treatments change the alloy’s microstructure and enhance its mechanical properties, making it more resilient against cracking and deformation.
Conclusion
In summary, AWS Class ERZR-4 is a versatile alloy with impressive properties that make it ideal for high-pressure and high-temperature applications. Its mechanical and physical characteristics allow it to withstand harsh environments and loads. Additionally, its corrosion-resistant properties make it an excellent material for applications in the nuclear and aerospace industries. Hopefully, this post has helped you understand AWS Class ERZR-4 better and how to leverage its properties in your welding applications.
Meet Heer, a dynamic and driven writer learning tricks of her trade in the metal industry. With a background in Digital Marketing, Heer brings a unique perspective to her writing, sharing valuable insights. Apart from blogging she like reading and hiking.
