AWS B2.1:2005

An American National Standard

Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification

Key Words—Welding performance qualification,

welding procedure qualification, welding procedure specification, welding processes, filler metals, base metals, welding qualification variables

AWS B2.1:2005

An American National Standard

Approved by American National Standards Institute

November 5, 2004

Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification

Supersedes AWS B2.1:2000

Prepared by AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification

Under the Direction of AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This specification provides the requirements for qualification of welding procedure specifications, welders, and welding operators for manual, semiautomatic, mechanized, and automatic welding. The welding processes included are oxyfuel gas welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, submerged arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, plasma arc welding, electroslag welding, electrogas welding, electron beam welding, laser beam welding, and stud arc welding. Base metals, filler metals, qualification variables, and testing requirements are also included.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida 33126

Statement on Use of AWS American National 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 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.

International Standard Book Number: 0-87171-742-5 American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

© 2005 by American Welding Society. All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

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.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether spe- cial, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is not undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity. Nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances.

This standard may be superseded by the issuance of new editions. Users should ensure that they have the latest edition.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

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

On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writ- ing, to the Managing Director, Technical Services Division, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex C). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. However, 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 interpreta- tions 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 (recom- mendations, 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 Com- mittee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision con- cerning 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, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

Photocopy Rights

Authorization to photocopy items for internal, personal, or educational classroom use only, or the internal, personal, or educational classroom use only of specific clients, is granted by the American Welding Society (AWS) provided that the appropriate fee is paid to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: 978-750-8400; online: https://www.copyright.com.

Dedication

The AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification dedicates this edi- tion of AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, to the memory of Paul B. Dickerson.

Paul was an AWS Fellow and contributed unselfishly to several technical committees of the American Welding Society. He is missed by all for whom he so generously shared his prodigious knowledge and wisdom.

The AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification dedicates this edi- tion of AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, to the memory of Paul B. Dickerson.

Paul was an AWS Fellow and contributed unselfishly to several technical committees of the American Welding Society. He is missed by all for whom he so generously shared his prodigious knowledge and wisdom.

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Personnel

AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification

G. M. Wisbrock, Chair Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control—Dallas

J. J. Fluckiger, 1st Vice Chair Battelle Energy Alliance—Idaho National Laboratory

**P. B. Dickerson, 2nd Vice Chair Consultant

L. P. Connor, Secretary American Welding Society

T. J. Anderson Consultant

E. W. Beckman International Training Institute

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

W. D. Doty Doty & Associates

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

M. Herrle ARISE, Incorporated

*M. J. Houle Welding Engineering Services

1. W. Johnson A. W. Johnson & Associates

   *N. K. Kanaya BEAR Testing Laboratory

   R. A. LaFave Elliott Turbomachinery Company

   K. Y. Lee The Lincoln Electric Company

2. B. MacDonald United Association

3. Martin Canadian Welding Bureau

1. M. McTague Factory Mutual

   1. S. Olivares Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company

*G. W. Oyler Consultant

*J. F. Pike NASA Langley Research Center

W. M. Ruof Bechtel Plant Machinery, Incorporated

J. J. Sekely Welding Services, Incorporated

*J. B. Shore Brooks Automation

*A. W. Sindel Sindel & Associates

*C. E. Spaeder, Jr. Aristech Chemical Corporation

*W. J. Sperko Sperko Engineering Services

*R. F. Waite Consultant

R. K. Wiswesser Welder Training & Testing Institute

*Advisor

** Deceased

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Foreword

(This Foreword is not a part of AWS B2.1:2005, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, but is included for informational purposes only.)

This specification provides requirements for welding procedure and welding performance qualification. It is the in- tent that this specification be referenced by other documents, such as codes, standards, specifications, and contracts.

This specification defines and establishes qualification variables. The criterion for determining if a welding condition is a procedure qualification variable is whether or not a change in that condition beyond the allowable tolerance affects the properties of a sound weld to the extent that the properties may not meet the specified minimum.

Qualification requirements are based on the premise that the referencing document will specify fabrication, design, base metal, filler metal, preheat, interpass temperature, postweld heat treatment, nondestructive examination, and test re- quirements applicable to the product. Welding procedure and performance qualifications which meet the requirements of other documents are acceptable, provided they also meet the requirements of this specification.

Welding Procedure Qualification

The purpose of a welding procedure qualification is to provide test data for assessing the properties of a welded joint. The proof of production weld soundness is determined by the type and extent of testing and examination applied to the production product. Product acceptance criteria must be detailed in the referencing document.

This specification also provides for welding procedure qualification of special test weldments by performing tests simulating service conditions, which may include impact loading, flexural loading, static loading, or cyclic loading. The details of testing and examination of special test weldments shall be specified by the referencing document.

AWS Standard Welding Procedure Specifications published by AWS may be used without performing additional procedure qualification tests when the requirements of the referencing document for the applications involved are met and no change is made beyond the specified range of variables shown in the Standard Welding Procedure. Standard Welding Procedures are not intended as a substitute for the engineering judgment which must be exercised in determin- ing the suitability of these procedures for use on a welded assembly or connection. Welding procedures other than AWS Standard Welding Procedure Specifications must be qualified by testing to demonstrate that minimum requirements are met.

Welding Performance Qualification

The purpose of welder qualification testing is to determine the ability of welders to produce a sound weld in the weld- ing positions which will be encountered in production applications. The purpose of welding operator qualification tests is to determine the ability of welding operators to operate mechanized or automatic equipment.

Performance qualification shall be determined by mechanical or nondestructive examination of welds, or both, except that provision is made for qualification by visual examination only, when permitted by the referencing document.

Materials

Base metals and filler metals have been grouped into categories that will minimize the number of qualification tests required. Substitution of one base metal or filler metal for another, even when within the allowable rules, should only be made after an evaluation of the factors involved. For some materials, additional tests may be required. Materials not listed require separate qualification.

A vertical line in the margin indicates a revision from the 2000 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, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the Managing Director, Technical Services Division, American Welding Society. A formal reply will be issued after it has been reviewed by the appropriate personnel following established procedures.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables x

List of Figures xi

1. General Provisions 1

   1. Scope. 1

   2. References. 1

   3. Terms and Definitions 1

   4. Responsibilities 3

   5. Effective Date 3

   6. Safety Precautions 3

2. Procedure Qualification 5

   1. General 5

   2. Standard Welding Procedure Specifications 5

   3. Welding Procedures Qualified by Employer 7

   4. Evaluation of Test Weldments. 8

   5. Qualification Thickness Limitations. 8

   6. Special Test Weldment Acceptance Criteria 11

   7. Pipe and Plate Groove Test Weldments and Acceptance Criteria 11

   8. Fillet Test Weldments and Acceptance Criteria 13

   9. Cladding Test Weldment and Acceptance Criteria 17

   10. Hardfacing Test Weldment and Acceptance Criteria 17

   11. Stud Welds and Acceptance Criteria 18

   12. Sheet Metal Weldment and Acceptance Criteria 19

   13. Welding Procedure Specification Data 20

   14. Procedure Qualification Variables 22

3. Performance Qualification 29

   1. General 29

   2. Qualification by Standard Test 31

   3. Qualification by Workmanship Test 31

   4. Test Weldments 33

   5. Examination Procedures and Acceptance Criteria 35

   6. Performance Qualification Variables 37

Mandatory Annexes 45

Annex I—Basis for Establishing a Standard Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) 45

Annex II—Illustrations—Weld Position, Test Specimens, and Text Fixtures 47

Annex III—Filler Metal Grouping 65

Annex IV—Base Metal Grouping 69

Annex V—Radiographic Examination Procedure 245

Nonmandatory Annexes 249

Annex A—Example Performance Qualification Test Record 249

Annex B—Macroetch Procedure 251

Annex C—Guidelines for Preparation of Technical Inquiries for AWS Technical Committees 253

List of AWS Documents on Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification 255

List of Tables

Table Page No.

1. Test Methods Required for Procedure Qualification 9

2. Thickness and Size Limitations for Fillet Welds for Procedure Qualification 9

3. Thickness Limitations of Plate and Pipe for Groove Welds for Procedure Qualification 10

4. Thickness Limitations for Cladding and Hardfacing for Procedure Qualification 10

5. Thickness Limitations for Procedure Qualification—Sheet Metal Groove Welds 10

6. Minimum Shear Strength for Aluminum Fillet Welds 16

7. Minimum Tensile Load Requirements for Aluminum Stud Welds 19

8. Minimum Torque Requirements for Steel Stud Welds 19

9. Minimum Torque Requirements for Aluminum Stud Welds 19

1. Examination Requirements for Performance Qualification 30

2. Number of Bend Tests for Performance Qualification 31

3. Allowable Base Metals for Performance Qualification 33

4. Allowable Filler Metals for Performance Qualification 33

5. Position Limitations for Performance Tests 34

6. Limitations for Performance Qualification on Groove Welds in Pipe and Tube 40

7. Limitations for Performance Qualification in Plate Groove Welds 40

8. Limitations for Performance Qualification in Pipe Fillet Welds 43

9. Limitations for Performance Qualification in Sheet Metal 44

1. Grouping of Welding Electrodes and Rods for Qualification 66

2. Classification of Ferrous Weld Metal for Procedure Qualification 67

IV-1 Listing of Base Metal Specifications—Ferrous Alloys 70

1. Listing of Base Metal Specifications—Nonferrous Alloys 105

2. M-Number Listing of Base Metals—Ferrous Alloys 128

1. M-Number Listing of Base Metals—Nonferrous Alloys 187

2. Listing of Base Metal Specifications—Iron Castings 242

1. Acceptable Linear Discontinuities for Radiographic Examination 246

2. Acceptable Rounded Discontinuities for Radiographic Examination 247

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. Welding Procedure Selection Criteria 6

2. Location of Groove Weld Test Specimens—Pipe 11

3. Location of Test Specimens for Welded Box Tubing 12

4. Location of Tension, Longitudinal Bend, and Toughness Specimens—Plate and Sheet 13

5. Location of Tension, Toughness, and Transverse Bend Specimens—Plate and Sheet 14

6. Location of Fillet Weld Shear Test and Macroetch Specimens 15

7. Fillet Weld Break Test and Macroetch Specimens for Procedure Qualification 16

8. Location of Cladding Test Specimens 17

9. Location of Hardfacing Test Specimens 18

1. Selection of Performance Qualification Method—Workmanship Test or Standard Test 30

2. Typical Workmanship Test Weldments 32

3. Location of 1G, 2G, 5G, and 6G Bend Specimens—Pipe Groove Weldment 35

4. Location of Bend Specimens—Combined Pipe Positions 2G and 5G 36

5. Location of Bend Specimens for Box Tube 37

6. Location of Transverse Bend Specimens—Plate Groove Weldment 38

7. Location of Longitudinal Bend Specimens—Plate Groove Test Weldment 38

8. Location of Fillet Test Specimens—Plate 39

9. Location of Fillet Test Specimens—Alternate Weldment—Plate 41

10. Location of Fillet Test Specimens—Pipe 41

11. Location of Fillet Test Specimens—Alternate Weld—Pipe 42

12. Location of Cladding Specimens—Plate 42

13. Location of Test Specimen—Hardfacing Test Weldment—Plate 43

II-1A Welding Test Positions—Groove, Cladding, and Hardfacing Welds 48

II-1B Limits of Welding Positions—Groove, Cladding, and Hardfacing Welds 49

II-1C Welding Test Positions—Fillet Welds 50

II-1D Limits of Welding Positions—Fillet Welds 51

II-1E Welding Positions—Stud Welds 52

II-2A Transverse Face and Root Bend Specimens 53

II-2B Longitudinal Face and Root Bend Specimens 54

II-2C Transverse Side Bend Specimens 54

II-3A Reduced Section Tension Specimen—Rectangular 55

II-3B Reduced Section Tension Specimen—Round 56

II-3C Alternate Tension Specimen for Pipe 3 in. O.D. or Less 56

II-3D Alternate Tension Specimen for Pipe 2 in. O.D. or Less 57

II-4A Weld Cladding Side Bend Specimens 58

II-4B Weld Cladding and Hardfacing Chemical Analysis Specimens 58

II-5A Guided Bend Fixture—Bottom Ejecting Type 59

II-5B Guided Bend Fixture—Bottom Type 60

II-5C Guided Bend Fixture—Wrap-Around 61

II-5D Stud Weld Bend Test Fixture 62

II-5E Stud Weld Torque Test Fixture 62

II-5F Stud Weld Tension Test Fixture 63

V-1 Rounded Indication Charts for Radiographic Examination 249

1. Example of a Performance Qualification Test Record 252

   
   

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   Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification

   
   

   1. General Provisions

1. Scope

   This specification provides requirements for the qual- ification of welding procedures. It also provides require- ments for the performance qualification of welders and welding operators.

   This specification is intended for use where refer- enced by a product or fabrication code, specification, contract document, or internal documents such as quality control or quality assurance manuals. The requirements imposed by the Referencing Document (see 1.3.2 Sup- plemental Definitions) supersede the requirements of this specification.

   This specification is intended for use with the follow- ing welding processes:

   OFW = Oxyfuel Gas Welding SMAW = Shielded Metal Arc Welding GTAW = Gas Tungsten Arc Welding SAW = Submerged Arc Welding GMAW = Gas Metal Arc Welding FCAW = Flux Cored Arc Welding PAW = Plasma Arc Welding

   ESW = Electroslag Welding EGW = Electrogas Welding EBW = Electron Beam Welding LBW = Laser Beam Welding SW = Stud Arc Welding

   Appropriate metric conversions are included for all dimensions. However, the customary units are standard units, and the metric units are for information only. It is intended that inspection of qualification test welds is to be accepted based on the U.S. customary dimensions, not on the metric conversion values of these dimensions.

2. References

   1. AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions1

   2. AWS B4.0, Standard Methods for Mechanical Testing of Welds1

   3. AWS D1.4, Structural Welding Code—Reinforc- ing Steel1

   4. AWS D11.2, Guide for Welding Iron Casting1

   5. ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Al- lied Processes1

   6. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code2

   7. ASTM E 165, Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination3

      
      

3. Terms and Definitions

1. The welding terms used in this specification are defined in AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions.

2. Supplemental Definitions. Some AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, exceptions to AWS A3.0 terms, and additional terms as used in this specification are defined below.

1. AWS standards are published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

2. ASME standards are published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

3. ASTM standards are published by the American Society of Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Consho- hocken, PA 19428-2959.