This International Standard specifies requirements for classification of tubular flux and metal cored electrodes and rods, based on the all-weld metal chemical composition, the type of electrode core, shielding gas, welding position and the all-weld metal mechanical properties, in the as-welded or heat-treated conditions, for gas shielded and non-gas shielded metal arc welding of stainless and heat-resisting steels. This International Standard is a combined standard providing for classification utilizing a system based upon nominal composition or utilizing a system based upon alloy type. a) Clauses, subclauses, and tables which carry the suffix letter “A” are applicable only to products classified using the system based upon nominal composition. b) Clauses, subclauses, and tables which carry the suffix letter “B” are applicable only to products classified using the system based upon alloy type. c) Clauses, subclauses, and tables which do not have either the suffix letter “A” or the suffix letter “B” are applicable to all tubular cored electrodes classified in accordance with this International Standard. It is recognized that the operating characteristics of tubular cored electrodes can be modified by the use of pulsed current. However, this International Standard does not use pulsed current for determining the electrode classification.