AWS B2.3/B2.3M:2018

An American National Standard

Specification for Soldering Procedure

and Performance Qualification

AWS B2.3/B2.3M:2018

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

March 29, 2018

Specification for Soldering Procedure and Performance Qualification

3rd Edition

Supersedes AWS B2.3/B2.3M:2012

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This specification provides the requirements for qualification of soldering procedure specifications, solderers, and sol- dering operators for manual, mechanized, and automatic soldering. The soldering processes included are torch soldering, furnace soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, dip soldering, iron soldering, and infrared soldering. Base metals, soldering filler metals, soldering fluxes, soldering atmospheres, and soldering joint clearances are also included.

ISBN: 978-0-87171-950-8

© 2018 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

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Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

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This standard may be superseded by new editions. This standard may also be corrected through publication of amendments or errata, or supplemented by publication of addenda. Information on the latest editions of AWS standards including amendments, errata, and addenda is posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org). Users should ensure that they have the latest edition, amendments, errata, and addenda.

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AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Standards Development, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166 (see Annex E). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommen- dations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Perfor- mance Qualification to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

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Personnel

AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification

J. L. Cooley, Chair J. C. & Associates, Incorporated

H. R. Castner, 1st Vice Chair

1. W. Beckman, 2nd Vice Chair Consultant

   1. M. Rosario, Secretary American Welding Society

      D. M. Allbritten Salco Products

      J. Alston Jefferson Lab

      J. P. Bell Yates Construction

      M. Bernasek C-SPEC

      K. L. Bingham Los Alamos National Laboratory

      1. W. Bumgarner Consultant

         M. C. Cook St. Louis Carpenters Apprenticeship Program

         1. A. Davenport PRL Industries, Incorporated

            1. J. Fluckiger Idaho National Laboratory

               E. H. Gray U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

               M. F. Herrle Arise

            2. G. Kofford Idaho National Laboratory

G. S. Michels Summit Design and Engineering Services

S. D. Mobley Oak Ridge National Laboratory

C. D. Morell U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Retired)

T. C. Mueller TransCanada Pipelines

W. M. Ruof Bechtel Plant Machinery, Incorporated

J. J. Sekely Welding Services, Incorporated

M. L. Thomas Rocky Mountain Testing, LLC

G. M. Wisbrock, Jr. Consultant

R. K. Wiswesser Welder Training & Testing Institute

Advisors to the AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification

L. P. Connor Consultant

B. J. Hable Ford Motor Company

K. Y. Lee U.S. Department of Transportation

B. B. MacDonald Consultant

J. F. Pike NASA Langley Research Center

1. A. Schweighardt Airgas

   1. W. Sindel TRC Solutions

C. E. Spaeder, Jr. Consultant

W. J. Sperko Sperko Engineering Services, Incorporated

R. F. Waite Consultant

AWS B2E Subcommittee on Soldering Qualification

E. W. Beckman, Chair Consultant

1. M. Rosario, Secretary American Welding Society

2. L. Bingham Los Alamos National Laboratory

J. J. Fluckiger Idaho National Laboratory

AWS B2E Subcommittee on Soldering Qualification (Continued)

E. H. Gray U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

C. D. Morrell U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Retired)

P. T. Vianco Sandia National Laboratories

Advisors to the AWS B2E Subcommittee on Soldering Qualification

J. L. Cooley J. C. & Associates, Incorporated

R. A. Raymond Building Exterior Solutions, LLC

G. M. Wisbrock, Jr. Consultant

R. L. Zahner A Zahner Company

Foreword

This foreword is not part of this standard but is included for informational purposes only.

The AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification was formed in 1979. The first edition of B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, was published in 1984. This standard introduced the concept of Standard Welding Procedure Specifications (SWPSs) in addition to a set of rules for qualifying welding procedures, welders, and welding operators. The B2 Committee has published seventy-four SWPSs, B2.2/B2.2M, Stan- dard for Brazing Procedure and Performance Qualification, B2.4/B2.4M, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification for Thermoplastics, and most recently B2.3/B2.3M, Specification for Soldering Procedure and Performance Qualification.

This is the third edition of AWS B2.3/B2.3M, Specification for Soldering and Performance Qualification. This standard originated in the B2E Subcommittee on Soldering Qualification. The B2E Subcommittee was formed in 2000 in order to explicitly address the unique requirements of soldering procedure and soldering performance qualification outside the spectrum of B2.1/B2.1M, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification.

NOTE: The user’s attention is called to the possibility that compliance with this standard may require use of an invention covered by patent rights. By publication of this standard, no position is taken with respect to the validity of any such claim(s) or of any patent rights in connection therewith. If a patent holder has filed a statement of willingness to grant a license under these rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and conditions to applicants desiring to obtain such a license, then details may be obtained from the standards developer.

A vertical line in the margin or underlined text in clauses, tables, or figures indicates an editorial or technical change from the 2012 edition.

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification, American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables x

List of Figures x

List of Forms x

1. General Requirements 1

   1. Scope 1

   2. Units of Measure 2

   3. Safety 2

2. Normative References 3

3. Terms and Definitions 3

4. Soldering Procedure Qualification 4

   1. General 4

   2. Soldered Test Assemblies and Acceptance Criteria 5

   3. Qualification Variables 6

5. Soldering Performance Qualification 8

   1. General 8

   2. Qualification by Visual Examination 9

   3. Qualification by Specimen Testing 9

   4. Qualification Variables for Solderers and Soldering Operators 10

Annex A (Normative)—Soldering Tables 13

Annex B (Normative)—Base Metal Groups 23

Annex C (Normative)—Soldering Figures 39

Annex D (Informative)—Procedure and Performance Qualification—Sample Forms 51

Annex E (Informative)—Requesting an Official Interpretation on an AWS Standard 57

Annex F (Informative)—Informative Reference 59

List of AWS Documents on Procedure and Performance Qualification 61

Page No.

List of Tables

Table Page No.

1. Procedure Qualification Soldered Test Assembly 13

2. Range of Thickness Qualified 14

3. Base Metals Qualified 14

4. Soldering Position Qualified by Position of Test Assembly. 15

5. Solder Compositions—wt % (Range or Maximum) 16

6. Solder Compositions—Zinc Base Alloys 18

7. Solder Compositions—Tin Base Alloys 19

8. Solder Compositions—Cadmium Base Alloys 19

9. List of Inorganic Acid Fluxes and Metal Systems for Which Each Flux is Most Effective 20

10. Atmospheres for Soldering 22

B.1 Base Metal Groups 25

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. Cutting Plan of Soldered Test Assembly for Butt Joints in Plate 39

2. Cutting Plan of Soldered Test Assembly for Lap Joints, Single and Double Spliced Butt Joints,

   and Rabbet Joints in Plate 40

3. Cutting Plan of Soldered Test Assembly for Lap Joints and Single and Double Spliced Butt Joints

   in Plate 41

4. Cutting Plan of Soldered Test Assembly for All Joints in Pipe and Tube of Greater Than 3 in

   [76 mm] Outside Diameter 42

5. Common Joint Configurations for Workmanship Soldered Test Assemblies 43

6. Typical Joint Design 44

7. Flow Positions 45

8. Test Flow Positions 46

9. Tension Specimen for Butt Joints 47

10. Tensions Specimens for Lap Joints, Spliced Butt Joints, and Rabbet Joints 48

11. Tension Test for Small Diameter Pipe 49

12. Bend Specimen for Butt Joints 50

List of Forms

Form Page No.

1. Solderer Performance Qualification (SPQ) 52

2. Soldering Procedure Qualification Record (SPQR) 53

3. Soldering Procedure Specification (SPS) 55

Specification for Soldering Procedure and Performance Qualification

1. General Requirements

   1. Scope. This specification provides the requirements for qualification of soldering procedure specifications. This specification also provides requirements for the performance qualification of solderers and soldering operators and is intended for use where referenced by a product standard or contract document. This specification is not applicable to the soldering of electrical or electronic components, including connections and terminations.

      Employers shall be responsible for the soldering done by their organization, including the use of qualified soldering pro- cedures, qualified solderers, and qualified soldering operators. It is the Employer’s responsibility to assure that soldering procedure specifications meet any additional requirements of the Referencing Document. Each Employer shall maintain the applicable soldering procedure specifications, soldering procedure qualification records, and soldering performance qualification records.

      When not otherwise specified by the Referencing Document, the edition of the specification to be used should be estab- lished in accordance with the following:

      1. Editions may be used at any time after the effective date of issue.

      2. Latest edition of this document should be used for new contracts.

      3. Editions established by contract date may be used during the entire term of the contract, or the provisions of later editions may be used when agreed upon by the contracting parties.

This document is intended primarily for use with the following soldering processes:

1. Torch soldering (TS)

2. Furnace soldering (FS)

3. Induction soldering (IS)

4. Resistance soldering (RS)

5. Dip soldering (DS)

6. Iron soldering (INS)

7. Infrared soldering (IRS)

1.1.1 Base Metals. The grouping of base metals by Base Metal Number (BM No.) in Table B.1 has been made on the basis of metallurgical compatibility, chemical composition, and solderability to decrease the number of required solder- ing qualifications. The grouping does not imply that base metals may be indiscriminately substituted within the same BM No. without consideration of their applicability. For some materials or combinations of materials, additional tests may be required by the procuring activity or the design engineer.

Base metals are identified by their ASTM,1 ABS,2 or UNS3 designations. Cross reference specifications, listed in the Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys opposite a given UNS No., are included in the same BM No. group as the given UNS Number.

1 ASTM—American Society for Testing and Materials.

2 ABS—American Bureau of Shipping.

3 UNS—Unified Numbering System.