Overview
EN ISO 14174:2019 - "Welding consumables - Fluxes for submerged arc welding and electroslag welding - Classification" - defines a uniform system to classify granular fluxes used in submerged arc welding (SAW) and electroslag welding (ESW) for both joining and overlay welding with wire, tubular cored and strip electrodes. Published by CEN (adopted from ISO 14174:2019), the standard replaces the 2012 edition and is intended to help manufacturers, welding engineers and procurement specialists specify and identify fluxes consistently across Europe and internationally.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Classification rules for fluxes that influence weld chemistry and mechanical properties for SAW and ESW processes.
- Compulsory classification elements:
- Product/process symbol (S for SAW, ES for ESW).
- Method of manufacture (F = fused, A = agglomerated, M = mixed).
- Flux type / characteristic chemical constituents (tabulated in the standard).
- Application / flux class (classes for joining and overlay uses).
- Optional classification elements:
- Metallurgical behaviour (effects on weld metal).
- Type of current (recommended current polarity/type).
- Diffusible hydrogen content (applicable to class 1 fluxes; measurement referenced to ISO 3690).
- Additional technical clauses: particle size range, rounding procedures, retest requirements, technical delivery conditions, marking and designation rules.
- Supporting material: Annex A (example of determining characteristic constituents from analysis) and Annex B (descriptions of flux types and behavior, including interlaboratory testing notes).
Practical applications and users
- Flux manufacturers use EN ISO 14174 to mark, label and classify products for sale and technical datasheets.
- Welding engineers and procedure writers reference the standard when developing weld procedures (WPS) and when specifying flux selection for joint or overlay applications.
- Quality and procurement teams rely on the classification for purchasing the right flux for intended metallurgical performance and hydrogen control.
- Testing laboratories use referenced methods (e.g., ISO 3690 for diffusible hydrogen) to verify declared properties.
- Fabricators in steel, pressure vessel, offshore, rail and heavy engineering sectors benefit from consistent flux selection for reproducible weld chemistry and mechanical properties.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 14174, flux classification, submerged arc welding flux, electroslag welding flux, welding consumables, SAW flux, ESW flux, flux marking, diffusible hydrogen.
