Steel EM12K-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
Default condition: deposit tested in the as-welded state with a neutral agglomerated/fused flux for structural and plate fabrication.
Values for the AW condition
Other EM12K tempers and conditions
EM12K is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at EM12K.
- PWHT
- AW
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld heat treated | Choose when the fabrication receives code-required stress relief; strength drops slightly and ductility/toughness rise. | 420 | 520 | 30 | 155 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
AWDefaultThis page As-welded deposit | Default condition: deposit tested in the as-welded state with a neutral agglomerated/fused flux for structural and plate fabrication. | 450 | 550 | 28 | 165 HB | 10 % IACS |
What is EM12K-AW?
EM12K-AW is EM12K heat treated to AW — default condition: deposit tested in the as-welded state with a neutral agglomerated/fused flux for structural and plate fabrication. EM12K-AW has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). EM12K-AW has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
EM12K-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for EM12K-AW; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EM12K reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
EM12K-AW has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical16
EM12K-AW has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
EM12K-AW is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EM12K-AW conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EM12K-AW takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
EM12K-AW's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (80/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EM12K-AW
Is EM12K easy to machine?
As-welded deposit machines like AISI 1018 (~65 % of 1212); use sharp carbide and expect some hardness scatter across weld/HAZ boundaries.
Can EM12K be welded?
Designed for submerged arc (single/multi-wire, DCEP or AC) with neutral or slightly active fluxes; keep flux dry, control heat input to protect toughness, and select flux to hit F7A2 vs F7P2 requirements.
Can EM12K be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn coiled wire; the silicon-killed, low-carbon chemistry drawn to 2.0–6.4 mm feeds smoothly with minimal cast/helix issues.
What surface finishes work on EM12K?
Copper coating aids current pickup and shelf life; finished weldments must be painted, primed or galvanized as bare deposits rust readily.
EM12K chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CAWS A5.17 EM12K | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.25 | 1.05 |
| Sisilicon-killed | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.22 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cuincluding any copper coating | ≤ 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance | — |
EM12K-AW — frequently asked
What is EM12K-AW used for?
EM12K-AW is typically used for submerged arc welding of plate, pressure vessels, structural fabrication and shipbuilding. In short: general-purpose SAW wire; neutral-flux plate workhorse; leanest-alloy SAW option.
What is the yield strength of EM12K-AW?
EM12K-AW has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is EM12K-AW easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). As-welded deposit machines like AISI 1018 (~65 % of 1212); use sharp carbide and expect some hardness scatter across weld/HAZ boundaries.
Can EM12K-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Designed for submerged arc (single/multi-wire, DCEP or AC) with neutral or slightly active fluxes; keep flux dry, control heat input to protect toughness, and select flux to hit F7A2 vs F7P2 requirements.
What surface finishes work on EM12K-AW?
Copper coating aids current pickup and shelf life; finished weldments must be painted, primed or galvanized as bare deposits rust readily.
Can EM12K-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as cold-drawn coiled wire; the silicon-killed, low-carbon chemistry drawn to 2.0–6.4 mm feeds smoothly with minimal cast/helix issues.
What is the maximum service temperature of EM12K-AW?
EM12K-AW is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EM12K-AW and EM12K PWHT?
AW is the default condition — default condition: deposit tested in the as-welded state with a neutral agglomerated/fused flux for structural and plate fabrication. PWHT: choose when the fabrication receives code-required stress relief; strength drops slightly and ductility/toughness rise. Yield strength is 450 MPa in AW versus 420 MPa in PWHT.
Sources
- AWS A5.17/A5.17M — Carbon Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2019)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part C, SFA-5.17 — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- SAW wire/flux combination all-weld-metal data (Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Hobart) — Various filler metal producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.