9
Table 2. Recommended Guide for Shade Numbers (Adapted from ANSI Z49.1-2012)
Operation
Electrode Size in.
(mm)
Arc Current
(Amps)
Minimum
Protective
Shade
Recommended*
Shade Number
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
(SMAW)
Less than 3/32 (2.4)
< 60
7
—
3/32 – 5/32 (2.4 – 4.0)
60-160
8
10
5/32 – 1/4 (4.0 – 6.4)
160-250
10
12
More than 1/4 (6.4)
250-550
11
14
Gas Metal Arc welding
(GMAW or MIG) and flux
Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
< 60
7
—
60-160
10
11
160-250
10
12
250-550
10
14
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
(GTAW or TIG)
< 50
8
10
50-150
8
12
150-500
10
14
Carbon Arc Cutting – Air
(CAC-A)
Light
< 500
10
12
Heavy
500-1000
11
14
Plasma arc welding (PAW)
< 20
6
6-8
20-100
8
10
10
12
11
14
Plasma arc cutting (PAC)
< 20
4
4
20-40
5
5
40-60
8
8
60-80
8
8
80-300
8
9
300-400
9
12
400-800
10
14
