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Welding & Joining Technology: Welding Codes & Standards

This Libguide will help students in the welding program learn about welding fundamentals and process

Welding

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Welding Codes & Standards

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Welding codes & standards

A welding code or standard is a detailed listing of the rules or principles that are to be applied to a specific classification or type of product.

A welding specification is a detailed statement of the legal requirements for a specific classification or type of weld to be made on a specific product. Products manufactured to code or specification requirements commonly must be inspected and tested to ensure compliance. 

Codes & Standards

Codes & Standards

Many welding organizations create codes and standards for welding. Choosing the right codes and standards to use are based on the following requirements:

  • Local, state, or federal government regulations
  • Bonding or insuring company
  • End user (customer) requirements
  • Standard industrial practices

The most common used codes or regulations are API Standard 1104, American Petroleum Institute— Used for pipelines, ASME Section IX, American Society of Mechanical Engineers—Used for pressure vessels and nuclear components, and AWS D1.1, American Welding Society—Used for bridges, buildings, and other structural steel.

Terminology

A welding procedure specification: a set of written instructions by which a sound weld is made. Normally, the procedure is written in compliance with a specific code, specification, or definition. Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) is the standard terminology used by the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

 

Welding Schedule: the standard federal government, military, or aerospace terminology denoting a WPS. The shortened term welding procedures is the most common term used by the industry to denote a WPS. 

 

Procedure Qualification Record (PQR): A record of a test weld performed and tested (more rigorously) to ensure that the procedure will produce a good weld.

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Free Downloads 

The following are free downloadable PDFs available to all users on standards and codes. Click on a document, and you can download the PDF to your PC.