Lincoln Electric Innershield® NR®-232-H is Lincoln's premier self-shielded flux-cored wire for heavy structural and seismic steel fabrication, classified AWS A5.20 E71T-8-H16 (also AWS A5.36 E71T8-A2-CS3-H16). Designed for 3/16" and heavier carbon steel with single or multiple pass welds, NR-232-H delivers high deposition rates, a penetrating arc, and a heavy fast-freezing slag system engineered for out-of-position structural work — including vertical-up and overhead passes on demanding joints.
NR-232-H carries AWS D1.8 Seismic Supplement lot waiver qualification, the key credential for demand-critical welds on moment-resisting frames and seismic connections in high-rise and infrastructure construction. It requires no external shielding gas, making it standard equipment for field ironworkers and structural erectors. WeldingMart is an authorized Lincoln Electric distributor. Browse individual diameter listings below, or browse all welding wire.
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.20 E71T-8-H16 / AWS A5.36 E71T8-A2-CS3-H16 |
|---|---|
| Wire Type | Self-Shielded Flux-Cored (FCAW-S) — no shielding gas required |
| Base Metal | Carbon steel, 3/16" (4.8 mm) and heavier; single and multi-pass |
| Available Diameters | .068" (1.7 mm), .072" (1.8 mm), 5/64" (2.0 mm) |
| Package Sizes | 25 lb steel spool (standard); 50 lb coil (select diameters) |
| Polarity | DCEN (DC Electrode Negative / DC−) |
| Shielding Gas | None — self-shielded |
| Welding Positions | All positions (flat, horizontal, vertical-up, overhead) |
| Diffusible Hydrogen | ≤16 mL/100g deposited weld metal (H16 designator) |
| Tensile Strength (typical) | 575–615 MPa (83–89 ksi) as-welded |
| Yield Strength (typical) | 460–520 MPa (66–75 ksi) |
| Elongation | 25–31% |
| Charpy V-Notch (typical) | 47–75 J (35–55 ft·lbf) at −29°C (−20°F) |
| Seismic Qualification | AWS D1.8 Structural Welding Code — Seismic Supplement; FEMA 353 |
| Conformances | ASME SFA-A5.20, ABS 3YSA, LR 3YS H15, DNV III YMS H15, GL 3YH10S, MIL-71T-8AS (.068"/.072"), JIS Z 3313 |
Source: Lincoln Electric Innershield NR-232 product page
- Seismic structural steel (demand-critical welds): NR-232 is the industry-standard self-shielded wire for AWS D1.8 demand-critical welds on moment-resisting frames, beam-column connections, and continuity plates in Seismic Design Category C and above. Lot waiver simplifies WPS qualification.
- High-rise building construction: Ironworkers use NR-232 for field erection welds — column splices, beam connections, and moment frame welds on structural steel frames where no gas cylinder access is feasible at elevation.
- Bridge and infrastructure fabrication: J-grade impact toughness at −29°C and H16 diffusible hydrogen control support low-temperature structural applications per AWS D1.5 bridge code requirements.
- Shipbuilding and barge fabrication: ABS and DNV/GL approvals. Self-shielded operation suits open-deck hull plate and stiffener welding exposed to wind.
- Heavy plate fabrication: Tanks, hoppers, racks, machinery bases, scaffolding, and structural components on 3/16" and thicker A36 / A572 / A588 steel.
- Military and defense applications: MIL-71T-8AS qualification (for .068" and .072") supports defense vehicle and marine fabrication procurement.
NR-232-H uses DCEN (DC Electrode Negative / DC−) polarity. If your machine is set for solid MIG wire (DCEP/DC+) or gas-shielded flux-cored wire (DCEP), you must reverse the polarity leads before running NR-232.
No shielding gas is used. The flux core generates the gas shield and slag blanket independently. Do not connect an external shielding gas supply when running any self-shielded wire.
Electrical stick-out (ESO): 3/4" to 1" (19–25 mm). ESO discipline is essential — it determines the effective preheat of the wire by the electrical resistance heating upstream of the arc. Consistent ESO = consistent arc voltage and deposition.
| .068" (1.7 mm) | Most widely used NR-232 diameter. Single and multi-pass on 3/16" and heavier. Suitable for flat, horizontal, vertical-up, and overhead positions. Available in 25 lb spool. |
|---|---|
| .072" (1.8 mm) — ED036678 | Slightly higher deposition than .068". Multi-pass structural groove welds on heavy plate. MIL-71T-8AS qualified. 25 lb spool. |
| 5/64" (2.0 mm) | Maximum deposition NR-232 diameter. Flat and horizontal production welding on heavy structural plate. Limited out-of-position use. |
NR-232-H is not available below .068". For thin-gauge (up to 5/16") self-shielded work, see Innershield NR-211-MP .035".
- What is the AWS E71T-8 classification?
- "E" = electrode, "7" = 70 ksi min tensile, "1" = all-position, "T" = tubular/flux-cored, "8" = self-shielded formulation meeting CVN toughness at −29°C, "H16" = diffusible hydrogen ≤16 mL/100g. This is the structural-grade self-shielded classification, distinct from E71T-11 (NR-211-MP) or E71T-GS.
- Is NR-232 compliant with AWS D1.1?
- Yes — it meets AWS D1.1 as an approved FCAW-S consumable, and carries AWS D1.8 seismic supplement lot waiver qualification for demand-critical welds on moment-resisting frames.
- Can I use NR-232 outdoors in wind?
- Yes. Self-shielded operation is not affected by wind like gas-shielded wires. It is specifically chosen for structural field erection because of this.
- What machine amperage is needed for .072" NR-232?
- 200–450A industrial-grade wire feeder. Not suitable for hobbyist machines. Set to DCEN polarity.
- How does NR-232 compare to Outershield 71M?
- NR-232 (FCAW-S) needs no gas — ideal for field work. Outershield 71M (FCAW-G) needs 100% CO₂ or C25 gas — preferred for shop fabrication with lower spatter and smoother arc.
- What is the difference between NR-232 and NR-211-MP?
- NR-232 = structural-grade, 3/16"+ steel, .068"–.072" diameters, industrial machines. NR-211-MP = light-gauge, up to 5/16", .030"–.035" diameters, portable machines. See NR-211-MP .035" listing.
Browse sibling wire PDPs: NR-232-H .072" 25 lb Spool (ED036678) | NR-211-MP .035" 10 lb (thin-gauge) | All Welding Wire
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