AWS Revises major qualification standard.
Press Release Summary:
American Welding Society (AWS) published the fifth edition of AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification. This standard, known as B2.1/B2.1M:2009, explains requirements for qualifying welding procedures as well as the performance of welders and welding operators for manual, semiautomatic, mechanized, and automatic welding. It covers qualification requirements related to metals, other qualification variables, and testing requirements.
Original Press Release:
AWS Revises Major Qualification Standard
MIAMI, FL., March 16, 2009 - The fifth edition of the American Welding Society's AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, has been published. The standard, now known as B2.1/B2.1M:2009, includes major changes from the previous edition. The 298-page book provides the requirements for qualifying welding procedures as well as for qualifying the performance of welders and welding operators for manual, semiautomatic, mechanized, and automatic welding.
The new edition now incorporates SI (metric) units as well as U.S. customary units, and includes new sample forms and covers new materials, including materials from Australian and New Zealand standards. New welding procedure specification and qualification variables have been introduced, with tighter restrictions. Filler metal groupings have been revised in accordance with the latest filler metal specifications.
The standard covers qualification requirements related to base metals, filler metals, other qualification variables, and testing requirements. Processes covered include oxyfuel gas welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, submerged arc welding, laser beam welding, gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding, plasma arc welding, electroslag welding, electrogas welding, electron beam welding, and arc stud welding.
AWS B2.1/B2.1M:2009, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, is available from WEX at (888) WELDING or www.aws.org/standards for $156. American Welding Society members can purchase the standard for just $117.
About AWS
The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 50,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and student chapters. For more information, visit the society's website at www.aws.org and click on "Pressroom."
