EN 3884:2001

Overview

EN 3884:2001 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies the requirements for the aerospace-grade heat resisting alloy NI-WH2601 (NiCr19Nb5Mo3Ti) used as filler metal for welding. This standard ensures consistent quality and performance of the welding filler metal suitable for high-temperature aerospace applications. NI-WH2601 is a nickel-based alloy designed for excellent heat resistance, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, essential characteristics for aerospace components subjected to extreme conditions.

The standard is part of the broader aerospace series of metallic material standards and is aligned with other EN standards to provide a uniform framework for material specification, production, and testing across the aerospace sector.

Key Topics

• Material Composition: Defines the chemical composition limits of the NI-WH2601 alloy, including elements such as nickel, chromium, niobium, molybdenum, and titanium, which contribute to heat resistance and mechanical strength.
• Production Methods: Specifies vacuum melting and consumable electrode remelting for the alloy, ensuring high purity and homogeneity.
• Form and Delivery: Covers filler wire and filler rods produced through cold drawing, delivered in a cold drawn and annealed state to optimize welding performance.
• Specifications: Details dimensional limits, heat treatment procedures, and delivery condition codes relevant to the filler metal.
• Testing and Quality Control: References normative documents including EN 3879 and EN 2043 for general welding filler metal specifications, semi-finished product qualifications, and batch uniformity checks.
• Mechanical Properties: Addresses proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, hardness, and other mechanical requirements ensuring the filler metal’s fitness for aerospace welding applications.

Applications

EN 3884:2001 applies primarily to aerospace manufacturing and repair, where heat resisting filler metals are critical for welding high-temperature and corrosion-resistant components. Practical applications include:

• Welding of aerospace engine parts, turbine components, and exhaust systems exposed to extreme temperatures.
• Joining heat-resistant components in aircraft and spacecraft requiring durable and reliable welds.
• Maintenance and overhaul operations demanding standardized filler metal quality to ensure continued airworthiness.
• Fabrication of critical aerospace structures where consistent mechanical and thermal properties determine safety and performance.

The standard ensures that users procure filler metals that meet stringent aerospace quality requirements, enabling superior joint strength, heat endurance, and longevity in demanding operational environments.

Related Standards

EN 3884:2001 is part of an integrated standards family for aerospace metallic materials and welding consumables. Related standards include:

• EN 3879 - Aerospace series: Metallic materials - Filler metals for welding - Technical specifications. Complements EN 3884 regarding filler metal quality and testing protocols.
• EN 2043 - Aerospace series: Metallic materials - General requirements for semi-finished product qualification (excluding forgings and castings). Provides qualification procedures relevant to materials covered by EN 3884.
• EN 4258 - Aerospace series: Metallic materials - General organization of standardization - offers guidance on the structure and use of aerospace material standards.
• EN 4500-3 - Aerospace series: Rules for drafting and presentation of material standards - specific to heat resisting alloys, ensuring consistent documentation.

These standards form a cohesive framework supporting the aerospace industry in achieving quality control, safety, and interoperability in welding consumables and high-performance alloys.

Keywords: EN 3884:2001, heat resisting alloy, NI-WH2601, NiCr19Nb5Mo3Ti, aerospace welding filler metal, heat resistant welding wire, aerospace material standards, filler metal for aerospace, welding consumables, aerospace alloy specification, high-temperature welding alloy.