How Carbon Content Affects the Weldability of Steels

And its effects on strength, hardness, ductility and machinability

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon along with several other elements in small quantities, all of which have an impact on its properties. Steels can contain varying amounts of carbon and are typically categorized as low, medium or high carbon steels. Low carbon steels are those containing 0.30% carbon or less.  Medium carbon […]

Understanding Certificates of Conformance for Filler Metals

Manufacturers of welding consumables are required to provide certificates of conformance for all of their welding filler metals.  These certificates confirm that their consumables conform to the chemical and mechanical requirements determined by the American Welding Society for that specific filler metal.  Manufacturers are not required to test every single batch of product that they […]

Troubleshooting Weld Cracking – The importance of crack location

One of the first steps in analyzing cracks to find their root cause and take corrective action is to categorize the cracks.  We categorize cracks based on three elements. Location Direction Timing In today’s article we discuss the importance of crack location when trying to determine what caused it.  What follows is an excerpt from […]

AWS D1.1 Prequalified Welding Procedures

Prequalified WPSs for GMAW, MCAW, SMAW, FCAW & FCAW-S

Prequalified welding procedures must adhere to the strict requiremnts of the welding codes which permit their use.  AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code (Steel) is one that allows their use.  Prequalified WPSs are exempt from testing becasue there is reasonable assurance that as long as all the requirements are met the deposited weld will be sound […]

Inspection Before, During and After Welding is Critical

Checklists for the CWI, welder and other production personnel

Weld inspection should not just take place after welding. Inspection before and during welding is critical.  But what can you inspect if welding has not been performed? Take a look at the checklists below for pre, during and post weld inspection.   Most of these items fall under the responsibility of the welding inspector, but any party involved […]

5 MORE Questions You Should Know for the CWI Exam

And fundamental principles for the fabrication of steel structures

Today we’ll cover 5 more very important concepts that are governed by the AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code (Steel). If you missed our last post with the first five questions simply click here.  These concepts can show up as questions in the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Exam. As stated in our article from last week, […]

What is a Qualified Welding Procedure?

A qualified welding procedure is a welding procedure that has been proven to produce sound welds after undergoing extensive testing.  When using structural welding codes, these tests include both destructive and nondestructive tests. Some of these tests are: Visual examination Macroetch Break test Bend test Ultrasonic inspection Radiographic inspection Hardness test Tensile test The reason […]

Frequently Asked Questions about Prequalified Welding Procedures

The following FAQ are related to 322 Prequalified Welding Procedure Specifications for Steel Fabricators.   To learn more or to get your copy simply click here   Is this a physical book?  No. The procedures are provided as digital files (PDF) and are available for immediate download.  The user has the option to print the files […]

7 Tests to Qualify Welding Procedures

The qualification of welding procedures is necessary to ensure that the selected welding parameters can produce sound welds.  Qualification typically involves a combination of destructive and nondestructive testing.  When a particular code, such as AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX is used, the code will dictate the type and numbers of tests necessary in order […]

5 Building Blocks of a Weld Quality Control System

Controlling weld quality is not always an easy task.  Many fabricators struggle to manage the amount of rework, the discrepancies from one batch of product to the next, and the varying levels of productivity and workmanship amongst their welders.   This inability to control weld consistency is not surprising.  Welding has more than 20 variables that […]