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AEROSPACE AMS6457™ REV. E

MATERIAL SPECIFICATION Issued 1979-10

Revised 2017-11
Reaffirmed 2022-06

Superseding AMS6457D

Steel, Welding Wire

0.95Cr - 0.20Mo (0.28 - 0.33C) (SAE 4130)
Vacuum Melted, Environment Controlled Packaging
(Composition similar to UNS K13147)

RATIONALE

AMS6457E results from a Five-Year Review and update of this specification that revises hydrogen to be determined in the
finished wire (3.1.1.1), and revises testing requirements (3.5.3, 4.2).

AMS6457E has been reaffirmed to comply with the SAE Five-Year Review policy.
1. SCOPE

1.1 Form

This specification covers a low-alloy steel in the form of welding wire.

1.2 Application

This wire has been used typically as filler metal for gas-tungsten-arc and gas-metal-arc welding of low-alloy steels where
the joint is capable of being heat treated to a minimum tensile strength up to 180 ksi (1241 MPa), but usage is not limited
to such applications.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

The issue of the following documents in effect on the date of the purchase order forms a part of this specification to the
extent specified herein. The supplier may work to a subsequent revision of a document unless a specific document issue
is specified. When the referenced document has been cancelled and no superseding document has been specified, the
last published issue of that document shall apply.

2.1 SAE Publications

Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA
and Canada) or +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.

AMS2259 Chemical Check Analysis Limits, Wrought Low-Alloy and Carbon Steels

AMS2370 Quality Assurance Sampling and Testing, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Wrought Products and Forging Stock

AMS2813 Packaging and Marking of Packages of Welding Wire, Standard Method

AMS2814 Packaging and Marking of Packages of Welding Wire, Premium Quality

AMS2816 Identification, Welding Wire, Tab Marking Method

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Executive Standards Committee Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is
entirely voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be revised, reaffirmed, stabilized, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and
suggestions.
Copyright © 2022 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada)
Tel: +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA)
For more information on this standard, visit
Fax: 724-776-0790 https://www.sae.org/standards/content/AMS6457E/
Email: [email protected]
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
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AMS2819 Identification, Welding Wire, Direct Color Code System

AMS6350 Steel Sheet, Strip, and Plate, 0.95Cr - 0.20Mo (0.28 - 0.33C) (SAE 4130)

ARP1876 Weldability Test for Weld Filler Metal Wire

ARP1917 Clarification of Terms Used in Aerospace Metals Specifications

ARP4926 Alloy Verification and Chemical Composition Inspection of Welding Wire

2.2 ASTM Publications

Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, Tel:
610-832-9585, www.astm.org.

ASTM A370 Mechanical Testing of Steel Products

ASTM D2650 Chemical Composition of Gasses by Mass Spectroscopy

ASTM E350 Chemical Analysis of Carbon Steel, Low-Alloy Steel, Silicon Electrical Steel, Ingot Iron, and Wrought Iron

ASTM E1032 Radiographic Inspection of Welds

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Composition

Wire shall conform to the percentages by weight shown in Table 1, determined by wet chemical methods in accordance
with ASTM E350, by spectrochemical methods, or by other analytical methods acceptable to purchaser.

Table 1 - Composition

Element Min Max

Carbon (3.1.1.1) 0.28 0.33
Manganese 0.40 0.60
Silicon 0.15 0.35
Phosphorus -- 0.008
Sulfur -- 0.008
Phosphorus + Sulfur -- 0.012
Chromium 0.80 1.10
Molybdenum 0.15 0.25
Nickel -- 0.25
Copper -- 0.10
Vanadium -- 0.06
Oxygen (3.1.1.1) -- 0.0025 (25 ppm)
Nitrogen (3.1.1.1) -- 0.005 (50 ppm)
Hydrogen (3.1.1.1) -- 0.0010 (10 ppm)

3.1.1 Chemical analysis of initial ingot, bar, or rod stock before drawing, other than those analyses required to be done
on the finished wire, is acceptable provided the processes used for drawing or rolling, annealing, and cleaning are
controlled to ensure continued conformance to requirements.

3.1.1.1 Hydrogen shall be determined on each lot of finished wire (see 4.2.1) in accordance with ASTM D2650. Carbon,
oxygen and nitrogen shall be periodically determined on finished wire (see 4.2.2).
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3.1.2 Check Analysis

Composition variations shall meet the applicable requirements of AMS2259; the limit for phosphorus plus sulfur shall be
0.005% over maximum. No variation is permitted for oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

3.2 Melting Practice

Steel shall be multiple melted using vacuum consumable electrode process in the remelt cycle or shall be vacuum
induction melted.

3.3 Condition

Cold worked, bright finish, in a temper and with a surface finish that will provide proper feeding of the wire in machine
welding equipment.

3.4 Fabrication

3.4.1 Wire shall be formed from rod or bar descaled by a process which does not affect the composition of the wire.
Surface irregularities inherent with a forming process that do not tear the wire surface are acceptable provided the
wire conforms to the tolerances of 3.7.

3.4.2 In-process annealing, if required, between cold rolling or drawing operations, shall be performed in vacuum or
protective atmosphere to avoid surface oxidation and absorption of other extraneous elements.

3.4.3 Butt welding is permissible only at diameters larger than final finished product size provided both ends to be joined
are either alloy verified using a method or methods capable of distinguishing the alloy from all others processed in
the facility, or the repair is made at the wire processing station. The butt weld shall not interfere with uniform,
uninterrupted feeding of the wire in machine welding equipment.

3.4.4 Drawing compounds, oxides, dirt, oil, and other foreign materials shall be removed by cleaning processes which
will neither result in pitting nor cause gas absorption by the wire or deposition of substances harmful to welding
operations.

3.4.5 Residual elements, drawing compounds, oxides, dirt, oil, dissolved gases and other foreign materials picked up
during wire processing that can adversely affect the welding characteristics, the operation of the equipment, or the
properties of the weld metal, shall be removed by cleaning processes that will neither result in pitting nor cause
gas adsorption by the wire or deposition of substances harmful to the welding operations.

3.5 Properties

Wire shall conform to the following requirements:

3.5.1 Weldability

Melted wire shall flow smoothly and evenly during welding and shall produce acceptable welds, determined by a procedure
agreed upon by purchaser and producer. ARP1876 may be used to resolve disputes.

3.5.2 Spooled Wire

Shall conform to 3.5.2.1, 3.5.2.2 and 3.5.2.3.

3.5.2.1 Cast

Wire, wound on standard 12 inch (305 mm) diameter spools, shall have imparted to it a curvature such that a specimen
sufficient in length to form one loop with a 1 inch (25 mm) overlap, when cut from the spool and laid on a flat surface, shall
form a circle 15 to 50 inches (381 to 1270 mm) in diameter.
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3.5.2.2 Helix

The specimen on which cast was determined, when laid on a flat surface and measured between adjacent turns, shall
show a vertical separation not greater than 1 inch (25 mm).

3.5.2.3 Winding

Filler metal in coils and on spools shall be wound so that kinks, waves, sharp bends, overlapping, or wedging are not
encountered, leaving the filler metal free to unwind without restriction. The outside end of the electrode (the end where
welding is to begin) shall be identified so it can be located readily and shall be fastened to avoid unwinding. The winding on
spools shall be level winding.

3.5.3 Tensile Properties

When specified, specimens, prepared in accordance with 4.3.1 and tested in accordance with ASTM A370, shall have
average tensile strength not lower than 90% of the average of the control specimens of 4.3.1; elongation of the welded
specimens shall be not less than 6% in 2 inches (50.8 mm) (see 8.5).

3.6 Quality

Wire, as received by purchaser, shall be uniform in quality and condition, sound, and free from foreign materials and from
imperfections detrimental to welding operations, operation of welding equipment, or properties of the deposited weld metal.

3.6.1 Surface irregularities inherent with a forming process that does not tear the wire surface are acceptable provided
the wire conforms to the tolerances of 3.7.

3.7 Sizes and Tolerances

Wire shall be supplied in the standard sizes and to the tolerances shown in 3.7.1 and 3.7.2.

3.7.1 Diameter

Shall be as shown in Table 2.

Table 2

Table 2A - Sizes and diameter tolerances, inch/pound units

Tolerance
Nominal Diameter Inch
Form Inch Plus and Minus
Cut Lengths 0.030, 0.045 0.001
Cut Lengths 0.062, 0.078, 0.094, 0.125 0.002
Spools 0.007, 0.010, 0.015 0.0005
Spools 0.020, 0.030, 0.035, 0.045 0.001
Spools 0.062, 0.078, 0.094 0.002

Table 2B - Sizes and diameter tolerances, SI units

Tolerance
Nominal Diameter Millimeter
Form Millimeters Plus and Minus
Cut Lengths 0.76, 1.14 0.025
Cut Lengths 1.57, 1.98, 2.39, 3.18 0.05
Spools 0.18, 0.25, 0.38 0.013
Spools 0.51, 0.76, 0.89, 1.14 0.025
Spools 1.57, 1.98, 2.39 0.05
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3.7.2 Length

Cut lengths shall be furnished in 18, 27, or 36 inch (457, 686, or 914 mm) lengths, as ordered, and shall not vary more
than +0, -0.5 inch (+0, -13 mm) from the length ordered.

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

4.1 Responsibility for Inspection

The producer of wire shall supply all samples for producer's tests and shall be responsible for the performance of all
required tests. Purchaser reserves the right to sample and to perform any confirmatory testing deemed necessary to
ensure that the wire conforms to specified requirements.

4.2 Classification of Tests

4.2.1 Acceptance Tests

Composition (3.1), including hydrogen (3.1.1.1), tensile properties when specified (3.5.3), sizes and tolerances (3.7), and
alloy verification (5.2) are acceptance tests and shall be performed on each heat or lot as applicable.

4.2.2 Periodic Tests

Determination of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen (3.1.1.1), weldability (3.5.1), cast (3.5.2.1), and helix (3.5.2.2), are periodic
tests and shall be performed at a frequency selected by the producer unless frequency of testing is specified by purchaser.

4.3 Sampling and Testing

Shall be in accordance with AMS2370 and as specified herein.

4.3.1 Specimens for Tensile Property Testing

Shall be obtained from a single-vee-groove, butt-joint weld made between two pieces of AMS6350 plate, 0.250 inch
(6.35 mm) in nominal thickness, chamfered full depth to a 60° included angle; the weld shall be perpendicular to the
longitudinal grain direction of the test pieces. Test pieces, prior to machining the test specimens, shall be heat treated to a
tensile strength not lower than 180 ksi (1241 MPa). After heat treatment, the weld metal shall be finished flush with the
parent metal on both faces and standard sheet-type, rectangular tensile specimens shall be prepared in accordance with
ASTM A370, with the weld in the approximate center of the gage length. The weld in the specimens, prior to tensile testing,
shall be free from defects detrimental to tensile properties of the weld, determined by radiographic inspection in
accordance with ASTM E1032. Three control standard sheet-type, rectangular tensile specimens shall be machined from
0.250 inch (6.35 mm) AMS6350 plate of the same heat of steel as that used for the welded specimens, heat treated with
the welded specimens, and tested for comparative tensile properties in accordance with ASTM A370.

4.4 Reports

The producer of wire shall furnish with each shipment a report showing the results of tests for the full chemical
composition of each heat, and hydrogen content of each lot, and stating that the wire conforms to the other technical
requirements. This report shall include the purchase order number, heat and lot numbers, AMS6457E, product form,
nominal size, and quantity.

4.5 Resampling and Retesting

Shall be in accordance with AMS2370.

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5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

5.1 Wire shall be supplied either on spools in one continuous length for machine welding or in cut lengths for manual
welding, as ordered. Wire on each spool or in each package of cut lengths shall be from the same heat of steel.

5.2 Alloy Verification

Wire from each spool or package of cut lengths shall be alloy verified by a method acceptable to purchaser. The alloy
verification procedures of ARP4926 are recommended.

5.2.1 An 8 inch (203 mm) length of wire shall be made accessible at both ends of each spool for alloy verification.

5.3 Identification

Shall be in accordance with AMS2816 unless AMS2819 or another method is specified by purchaser.

5.4 Packaging and Marking

Shall be by the premium quality method in accordance with AMS2814 unless the standard method in accordance with
AMS2813 or another method is specified by purchaser.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A producer shall include this specification number and its revision letter in all quotations and when acknowledging
purchase orders.

7. REJECTIONS

Wire not conforming to this specification, or to modifications authorized by purchaser, will be subject to rejection.

8. NOTES

8.1 Revision Indicator

A change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions, not
editorial changes, have been made to the previous issue of this document. An (R) symbol to the left of the document title
indicates a complete revision of the document, including technical revisions. Change bars and (R) are not used in original
publications, nor in documents that contain editorial changes only.

8.2 Terms used in AMS are clarified in ARP1917.

8.3 Dimensions and properties in inch/pound units and the Fahrenheit temperatures are primary; dimensions and
properties in SI units and the Celsius temperatures are shown as the approximate equivalents of the primary units
and are presented only for information.

8.4 Removal of wire from the package may result in variations of oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen content and developing
oxides and rust on the surface of the wire.
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8.5 Purchase documents should specify not less than the following:

AMS6457E
Size and form (spools or cut lengths) of wire desired
Length of cut lengths or weight of spools desired
Quantity of wire desired
If tensile testing is required (see 3.5.3)
Special packaging, if required

8.6 AMS6457 Revision C may be used for purchase of Type 2 - copper coated wire that was deleted from this
document.

PREPARED BY AMS COMMITTEE "E"