Find product HS Code and trade information for welding wire

Welding Wire

Welding wire, also known as filler metal, is a consumable electrode used in various welding processes to join metallic parts. It provides the material for the weld and, in some processes, also shields the weld from atmospheric contamination.

Material

Welding wires are manufactured from a wide range of materials, selected based on the base metal being welded and the desired weld properties. Common materials include:

• Carbon Steel: The most frequently used type, offering good strength and economy. Various carbon content levels exist to match different steel grades.
• Stainless Steel: Provides corrosion resistance and is used for welding stainless steels and other corrosion-resistant alloys. Different grades (304, 308, 316, etc.) offer varying levels of resistance.
• Aluminum Alloys: Used for welding aluminum and aluminum alloys, offering good corrosion resistance and lightweight properties.
• Nickel Alloys: Employed for welding nickel-based alloys, providing high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance.
• Copper Alloys: Used for welding copper and copper alloys, offering high conductivity and corrosion resistance.
• Other Alloys: Wires are also available in alloys containing chromium, molybdenum, manganese, and other elements to achieve specific weld characteristics.

Purpose

The primary purpose of welding wire is to:

• Join Metals: Create a strong metallurgical bond between two or more metal pieces.
• Fill Gaps: Provide material to fill any gaps or spaces between the parts being welded.
• Add Material: Build up worn or damaged surfaces through welding.
• Provide Protection: In some processes (e.g., GMAW/MIG), the wire also provides shielding gas to protect the weld pool from atmospheric contamination.

Function

Welding wire functions by:

• Electrical Conduction: Conducting the welding current to create an arc and melt the filler metal and base metal.
• Arc Stabilization: Maintaining a stable arc for consistent weld quality.
• Metal Transfer: Transferring molten metal from the wire to the weld pool.
• Slag Formation (in some processes): Forming a protective slag layer over the weld to slow cooling and prevent contamination.
• Deoxidation: Removing impurities from the weld pool.

Usage Scenarios

Welding wire is used in a vast array of applications across numerous industries:

• Construction: Welding structural steel for buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure.
• Manufacturing: Fabricating metal products, including automotive parts, machinery, and appliances.
• Automotive: Welding car frames, exhaust systems, and other components.
• Aerospace: Welding aircraft components, requiring high strength and precision.
• Shipbuilding: Welding ship hulls and other marine structures.
• Pipeline Welding: Joining pipeline sections for transporting oil, gas, and other fluids.
• Repair and Maintenance: Repairing damaged metal parts and structures.
• Robotic Welding: Automated welding processes in manufacturing environments.

Common Types

Welding wires are categorized based on the welding process they are used in and their composition. Some common types include:

• Solid Wire: A single, continuous metal wire used in GMAW/MIG welding. Offers high deposition rates and clean welds. Examples include ER70S-6 (carbon steel) and ER308L (stainless steel).
• Flux-Cored Wire: A tubular wire filled with flux. Provides shielding gas and deoxidation. Suitable for out-of-position welding and dirty or rusty materials. Examples include E71T-1 (carbon steel) and E308L-13 (stainless steel).
• Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) Wire: Thicker wires used in SAW welding, providing high deposition rates and deep penetration.
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG) Wire: A broad category encompassing solid wires and flux-cored wires used in GMAW/MIG welding.
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/Stick) Electrodes: Coated with flux, providing shielding gas and deoxidation.
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) Rods: Used in GTAW/TIG welding, requiring high precision and control.

Welding wire encompasses several categories of products used in joining metals through the application of heat and, in some cases, a filler material. The specific classification and applicable tariff rates depend on the composition of the wire, its intended use, and whether it is coated or cored with flux.

Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided reference material:

• 7217.30.45.04: This HS code covers Wire of iron or nonalloy steel: Plated or coated with other base metals: Round wire: Other Containing by weight less than 0.20 percent of carbon, and suitable for electric arc welding.

  • 72: Iron and steel.
  • 17: Wire of iron or steel.
  • 30: Plated or coated with other base metals.
  • 45: Round wire.
  • 04: Other (specifically, containing less than 0.20% carbon and suitable for electric arc welding). The total tax rate is 37.5%.

• 7217.90.50.30: This HS code covers Wire of iron or nonalloy steel: Other: Other Containing by weight less than 0.25 percent of carbon.

  • 72: Iron and steel.
  • 17: Wire of iron or steel.
  • 90: Other.
  • 50: Other (specifically, containing less than 0.25% carbon). The total tax rate is 30.0%.

• 7229.20.00.10: This HS code covers Wire of other alloy steel: Of silico-manganese steel Round, with a diameter of less than or equal to 1.6 mm, containing by weight less than 0.20 percent of carbon, more than 0.9 percent of manganese, and more than 0.6 percent of silicon, and suitable for electric arc welding: Plated or coated with copper.

  • 72: Iron and steel.
  • 29: Other alloy steel.
  • 20: Of silico-manganese steel.
  • 00: Other (specifically, round wire with a diameter of ≤1.6mm, containing <0.20% carbon, >0.9% manganese, >0.6% silicon, and suitable for electric arc welding). The total tax rate is 30.0%.

• 7229.90.50.06: This HS code covers Wire of other alloy steel: Other: Other: Round wire With a diameter of less than or equal to 1.6 mm, containing by weight less than 0.20 percent of carbon and more than 0.3 percent of nickel or more than 0.08 percent of molybdenum, and suitable for electric arc welding: Plated or coated with copper.

  • 72: Iron and steel.
  • 29: Other alloy steel.
  • 90: Other.
  • 50: Other (specifically, round wire with a diameter of ≤1.6mm, containing <0.20% carbon and >0.3% nickel or >0.08% molybdenum, and suitable for electric arc welding). The total tax rate is 30.0%.

• 8311.10.00.00: This HS code covers Wire, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes and similar products of base metal or of metal carbides, coated or cored with flux material, of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding or deposition of metal or of metal carbides; wire and rods, of agglomerated base metal powder, used for metal spraying; base metal parts thereof: Coated electrodes of base metal, for electric arc-welding.

  • 83: Miscellaneous manufactured articles.
  • 11: Wire, rods, etc., coated or cored.
  • 10: Coated electrodes of base metal for electric arc-welding. The total tax rate is 55.0%.

• 8311.20.00.00: This HS code covers Wire, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes and similar products of base metal or of metal carbides, coated or cored with flux material, of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding or deposition of metal or of metal carbides; wire and rods, of agglomerated base metal powder, used for metal spraying; base metal parts thereof: Cored wire of base metal, for electric arc-welding.

  • 83: Miscellaneous manufactured articles.
  • 11: Wire, rods, etc., coated or cored.
  • 20: Cored wire of base metal for electric arc-welding. The total tax rate is 55.0%.