AWS Fundamental Terms and Definitions Learning to talk like a welder

Introduction Fundamental terms and definitions used in the welding field Communicate effectively with Supervisors, Engineers, Inspectors, your co-workers and ……your Welding Instructor. Need to know for Printreading for Welders Demonstrating the knowledge and ability to communicate welding information in a professional manner may enhance your potential for career advancement.

Define - “Welding” A joining process that produces coalescence of materials by heating them to the welding temperature, with or without the application of pressure or by the application of pressure alone, and with or without the use of filler metal

Define - “Welding”

Advantages: Joins all commercial metals Most common method for joining 2 or more metals to make them act as one piece Allows the production of a monolithic structure that is strong in all directions Is the lowest cost, permanent joining method. Affords lighter weight through better use of materials Can be used anywhere Provides design flexibility

Base Metal The materials to be joined

5 Basic Joints Butt Joint Lap Joint T Joint Corner Joint Edge Joint

4 Basic Positions Flat Horizontal Vertical Overhead

Puddle Molten pool of metal that forms when base metals reach welding temperature Moved along the joint causing the base metals to coalesce forming a weld “bead”

Filler Metal Metal added to the puddle to fill the joint

Stringer Bead A weld bead formed with little or no oscillation of the source of energy

Weave Bead A weld bead formed with exaggerated oscillation of the source of energy Used to form a larger weld pool or bead

Penetration Depth of fusion

Reinforcement Filler metal extending above base metal

Types of welds Fillet Weld Joins materials at approximately right angles Has a triangular profile or section view Example – T Joint

Types of welds Groove Weld Joins materials by filling the space or “groove” between Example – Butt Joint

Types of welds Groove Weld 7 types

Types of welds Surfacing Welds Tack Welds Others Used to change the dimensions or physical properties of base metals Tack Welds Used to hold base metals in position Others Back Backing Edge Plug Slot Spot Seam

Types of welds Others Back Backing Edge Plug Slot Spot Seam

“Pass” May refer to one bead or a layer of beads.

Single-pass Refers to a joint made with a single weld bead

Multiple pass Refers to a joint made with more than one weld bead Larger weld on top of smaller Split Layer – uniform sized beads overlapped

Multiple pass

Parts of groove welds Root opening – space between base metal Root face or “land” – flat spot used to control penetration Groove or Bevel face – where weld interface occurs Bevel angle – degrees of bevel Groove angle or Included Angle – total of bevel angles

Parts of welds

Parts of fillet welds Legs – used to specify weld size Face – side from which welding is done Root – opposite the face – weakest point Toe – where face intersects the base metal Throat – gives the weld strength

Parts of welds

Welder Qualification “Certification” Part of a Quality Assurance System designed to insure as much as possible that welds of sufficient quality are being produced There is no certification that qualifies a welder for all types of work Specific to process, metal, position, progression, etc “Certified” welder has a document certifying that he or she produced a weld that met a specific standard or code.

Process Select a code (AWS, ANSI, API, CWB, etc) Write a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) Qualify the WPS Qualify the welder (welder performance qualification test) Issue documentation

Test Positions