AWS A5.29 Classification Breakdown: What E81T1-B2C and E81T1-B2M Mean
This table explains the AWS A5.29 E81T1-B2 classification, detailing tensile strength, positions, flux-cored construction, chemical composition and recommended shielding gases.
| Designator |
Meaning |
Specific Detail |
| E |
Electrode |
Indicates a current-carrying filler metal. |
| 8 |
Tensile strength |
80 ksi (550 MPa) minimum tensile strength. |
| 1 |
Welding Position |
All-position capability (flat, overhead, etc.) |
| T |
Tubular |
Indicates a flux-cored (FCAW) construction |
| 1 |
Usability |
Rutile slag, DCEP, gas-shielded, multi-pass |
| B2 |
Chemical Comp. |
1.25% Cr, 0.5% Mo (matches P-4/Grade 11). |
| C/M |
Shielding Gas |
C: 100% CO₂; M: 75–80% Ar / Balance CO₂. |
Chemical Composition of E81T1-B2 Weld Deposit (%)
In the E81T1-B2 weld, 1.25% chromium protects against oxidation and sulfidation up to about 550°C, while 0.5% molybdenum strengthens the weld through hardening and stable carbide formation at high temperatures.
| Element |
Requirement |
Carbon (C) |
Manganese (Mn) |
Silicon (Si) |
Chromium (Cr) |
Molybdenum (Mo) |
Phosphorus (P) |
Sulfur (S) |
Nickel (Ni) |
Vanadium (V) |
| Element |
Requirement |
0.05–0.12 |
1.25 max |
0.80 max |
1.00–1.50 |
0.40–0.65 |
0.03 max |
0.03 max |
— |
— |
The carbon range of 0.05–0.12% gives a good balance between hardness and toughness. For thin walls (12 mm or less), the B2L low‑carbon grade (C ≤ 0.05%) produces lower hardness after PWHT.
Mechanical Properties of E81T1-B2 Weld Deposit (After PWHT)
Here are the post‑weld heat‑treated mechanical properties of E81T1-B2 weld deposits. The table below shows the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and impact values in a simple, easy-to-read format.
| Property |
Requirement (PWHT) |
Tensile Strength |
Yield Strength (0.2%) |
Elongation (%) |
Charpy V-Notch (−29°C) |
Charpy V-Notch (+20°C) |
| Property |
Requirement (PWHT) |
80,000–100,000 psi (550–690 MPa) |
≥68,000 psi (470 MPa) |
≥19% |
Not required by AWS for B2 |
Not required by AWS for B2 |
AWS A5.29 limits B2 weld metal tensile strength to 100,000 psi (690 MPa) after PWHT. Higher values usually mean the heat treatment was too low or the weld chemistry is incorrect.
Base Metal Compatibility & ASME P-Number Matrix for E81T1-B2
E81T1-B2 is classified under ASME Section IX as F-6 / A-3. The wire matches all P-4 Group 1 and 2 base metals and is also acceptable for P-3 grades where slight chromium overmatching is beneficial.
| Base Metal Specification |
Grade |
ASME P-No. |
Cr-Mo Content |
Typical Application |
| SA335 / A335 |
P11 |
P-4 Grp 1 |
1.25Cr-0.5Mo |
Seamless pipe |
| SA335 / A335 |
P12 |
P-4 Grp 1 |
1.0Cr-0.5Mo |
Seamless pipe |
| SA213 / A213 |
T11 |
P-4 Grp 1 |
1.25Cr-0.5Mo |
Boiler/superheater tube |
| SA213 / A213 |
T12 |
P-4 Grp 1 |
1.0Cr-0.5Mo |
Boiler tube |
| SA387 / A387 |
Gr 11 Cl.1/2 |
P-4 Grp 1/2 |
1.25Cr-0.5Mo |
Pressure vessel plate |
| SA387 / A387 |
Gr 12 Cl.1/2 |
P-4 Grp 1/2 |
1.0Cr-0.5Mo |
Pressure vessel plate |
| SA182 / A182 |
F11, F12 |
P-4 |
1.25Cr / 1.0Cr-0.5Mo |
Forged fittings, flanges |
| SA336 / A336 |
F11, F11A |
P-4 |
1.25Cr-0.5Mo |
Forged fittings |
| SA369 / A369 |
FP11, FP12 |
P-4 |
1.25Cr-0.5Mo |
Forged pipe |
| SA335 / A335 |
P1 |
P-3 Grp 1 |
0.5Mo |
Low-Cr piping |
| SA335 / A335 |
P2 |
P-3 Grp 1 |
0.5Cr-0.5Mo |
Low-Cr piping |
Do not use E81T1-B2 wire on P-5A steels such as SA335 P22 or SA213 T22. This combination produces a weld with too little chromium, which is unsafe for long-term high‑temperature service.
Recommended Welding Parameters & Preheat/PWHT Requirements for E81T1-B2 Chrome-Moly Flux Cored Wire
Current ranges below apply to DCEP polarity with 100% CO₂ shielding. For Ar/CO₂ mixed gas, reduce the voltage by 2-5%.
| Diameter |
Wire Speed (ipm) |
Current (A) |
Voltage (V) |
CTWD |
| 0.035″ (0.9 mm) |
450–675 |
100–260 |
21–28 |
3/8–3/4″ |
| 0.045″ (1.2 mm) |
150–575 |
100–300 |
24–30 |
1/2–3/4″ |
| 0.052″ (1.4 mm) |
295–515 |
210–350 |
26–32 |
1/2–1″ |
| 1/16″ (1.6 mm) |
260–430 |
225–410 |
27–33 |
1/2–1″ |
Mandatory Preheat & Interpass Temperature
| Base Metal Thickness |
Minimum Preheat |
Maximum Interpass |
| ≤12 mm |
150–200°C (300–400°F) |
300°C (572°F) |
| 12–25 mm |
200–250°C (400–480°F) |
300°C (572°F) |
| 25–50 mm |
250–300°C (480–572°F) |
350°C (660°F) |
| >50 mm |
300–350°C (572–660°F) |
350°C (660°F) |
Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) for E81T1-B2 is mandatory at 680-730°C (1250-1350°F). Hold for at least 1 hour per 25 mm weld thickness. Limit heating to 200°C/hr above 315°C. Limit cooling to 260°C/hr down to 315°C, then air cool as per ASME Section VIII / B31.3. Keep the weld above preheat between passes. Do not exceed 730°C to avoid over-tempering.
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Industrial Applications of E81T1-B2 Flux-Cored Welding Wire
E81T1-B2 flux-cored wire is used with 1.25Cr-0.5Mo steel in high-pressure, high-temperature equipment across six sectors
Storage, Handling & Hydrogen Control for E81T1-B2 Flux Cored Wire
Hydrogen control for E81T1-B2 is a safety-critical activity. The hardenable Cr-Mo weld deposit is very likely to crack due to hydrogen. This delayed cracking often causes serious failures in pressure equipment.
- Store sealed spools in dry conditions at 15-25°C, RH below 50%.
- After opening, use promptly or keep in a heated cabinet at 40–60°C.
- Rebaking is not possible for FCAW wire.
- Handle with clean and dry gloves. No contact with carbon steel tooling.
- Packaging must be in vacuum-sealed moisture-barrier bags.
For thick sections (>25 mm), a hydrogen bake-out hold at 250-300°C for 2-4 hours after welding allows trapped hydrogen to diffuse before the microstructure hardens.
How to Order E81T1-B2 from Nicorex Alloys
When ordering E81T1-B2, the following details need to be included.
Nicorex Alloys stocks the complete matching set: E81T1-B2 FCAW + ER80S-B2 GTAW + E8018-B2 SMAW.
Frequently Asked Questions