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Welding symbolSymbols: The full graphic: reference line, arrow, tail, and all dimensions and glyphs. Not the same as a weld symbol.
Weld symbolSymbols: The glyph on the reference line that names the weld type (fillet triangle, V, bevel, plug, etc.).
Arrow sideSymbols: The side of the joint the arrow points to. In AWS A2.4, information below the reference line.
Other sideSymbols: The side of the joint opposite the arrow. In AWS A2.4, information above the reference line.
Field weldSymbols: Weld made on site. Shown as a flag at the arrow/reference-line junction.
All-aroundSymbols: Weld continues around the joint. Shown as a circle at the arrow/reference-line junction.
Broken arrowSymbols: A jog in the arrow shaft pointing at the member that receives the edge preparation (bevel, J, U).
Pitch (intermittent weld)Symbols: Centre-to-centre spacing of weld increments on the same side of the joint. Not the gap between welds.
CJPJoints: Complete joint penetration. Fusion through the full thickness of the joint.
PJPJoints: Partial joint penetration. Effective throat is less than member thickness.
Fillet weld sizeJoints: Leg length of the largest isosceles right triangle that fits in the fillet cross-section, unless unequal legs are specified.
Theoretical throatJoints: For an equal-leg fillet, 0.707 × leg. Shortest distance from root to hypotenuse of that triangle.
HAZMetallurgy: Heat-affected zone. Base metal not melted but whose microstructure and properties changed from the weld thermal cycle.
Heat inputMetallurgy: Energy put into the weld per unit length. HI = (V × A × 60) / (speed × 1000) in kJ/mm when speed is mm/min.
PreheatMetallurgy: Heating the joint before welding to slow cooling, reduce hydrogen-crack risk, and help fusion.
Interpass temperatureMetallurgy: Temperature of the weld area immediately before the next pass is deposited.
Hydrogen crackingMetallurgy: Delayed cold cracking in weld metal or HAZ. Needs hydrogen, a susceptible microstructure, and stress.
Carbon equivalentMetallurgy: A formula combining carbon and alloy content to estimate hardenability and preheat need.
SMAWProcesses: Shielded metal arc welding. Flux-coated consumable electrode (stick).
GMAWProcesses: Gas metal arc welding. Solid continuous electrode with external shielding gas.
FCAWProcesses: Flux-cored arc welding. Tubular electrode with flux; may be gas-shielded or self-shielded.
GTAWProcesses: Gas tungsten arc welding. Non-consumable tungsten electrode, separate filler optional, inert gas.
SAWProcesses: Submerged arc welding. Arc hidden under a blanket of granular flux. High deposition, usually mechanised.
DCEPProcesses: Direct current electrode positive (reverse polarity). Typical for SMAW low-hydrogen and GMAW.
DCENProcesses: Direct current electrode negative (straight polarity). More heat in the electrode; common in some GTAW.
Short-circuit transferProcesses: GMAW mode where the wire dips into the puddle. Low heat, out-of-position, fusion risk at toes.
Spray transferProcesses: GMAW mode of fine droplets. High heat, argon-rich gas, typically flat/horizontal.
WPSQC: Welding procedure specification. The qualified recipe for production welding.
PQRQC: Procedure qualification record. Test results that support a WPS.
Hold pointQC: Inspection stop. Work must not proceed past this point until the inspector signs it off.
NCRQC: Nonconformance report. Records a requirement, a finding, and a disposition.
DiscontinuityFaults: An interruption in the typical structure of a weld or base metal. Not automatically rejectable.
DefectFaults: A discontinuity that does not meet the applicable standard or specification. Rejectable.
UndercutFaults: A groove melted into the base metal at the toe or root and left unfilled.
OverlapFaults: Weld metal that rolls onto the base metal without fusing. A stress raiser and typically a defect.
Incomplete fusionFaults: Weld metal failed to fuse to a fusion face or to previous pass. Typically rejectable.
Incomplete penetrationFaults: Weld metal did not reach the required root penetration. Defect when CJP or a specified throat is required.
PorosityFaults: Gas pockets trapped in weld metal. Surface or subsurface. Measured by diameter and accumulation.
Slag inclusionFaults: Non-metallic solid trapped in the weld, usually from incomplete slag removal between passes.
UnderfillFaults: Weld face sits below the adjacent base-metal surface. Missing metal on a groove weld face or root.
Excess reinforcementFaults: Weld face or root push-through taller than the standard allows. A stress raiser, especially in fatigue.
Arc strikeFaults: Accidental arc on the base metal outside the weld. Can create hard spots and cracks. Usually requires dressing and inspection.
Crater crackFaults: Hot crack in the depression at a weld stop where the puddle shrank without being filled.
Lamellar tearingFaults: Terraced base-metal cracking under a T-joint from through-thickness strain and planar inclusions.
Duty cycleEquipment: Percentage of a ten-minute period a power source can deliver a stated current without overheating.
Low-hydrogen electrodeEquipment: Basic-coated electrode (e.g. E4918 / E7018) that must be kept dry to limit weld-metal hydrogen.
CSA W178.2Codes: Certification of welding inspectors. Personal certification, three levels, administered in Canada by CWB.
CSA W47.1Codes: Certification of companies for fusion welding of steel. Divisions 1, 2, 3. CWB administered.
CSA W59Codes: Welded steel construction (metal arc welding). How structural steel welds are designed, made, and accepted.
Division 1 (W47.1)Codes: Company employs a qualified welding engineer full-time.
Division 2 (W47.1)Codes: Company retains a qualified welding engineer on a part-time / contract basis.
Division 3 (W47.1)Codes: Company is not required to have a welding engineer on staff or retainer. Procedures and welders still qualified.
Level 1 inspectorCodes: Entry grade under W178.2. May conduct inspections under direct supervision of a Level 2 or 3.
Product categoryCodes: The family of standards you are endorsed to inspect (e.g. W47.1/W59 steel buildings). You do not inspect outside it.
1G / 2G / 3G / 4GProcesses: Groove-weld positions: flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead.
1F / 2F / 3F / 4FProcesses: Fillet-weld positions: flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead.
6GProcesses: Pipe axis at 45°, pipe not rotated. A demanding all-position qualification.
Effective throatJoints: The throat dimension used for design strength. For PJP, specified in the symbol/WPS; for fillets, often the theoretical throat.
Root openingJoints: The gap between members at the root of a joint before welding.
Root faceJoints: The unbevelled land at the root of a prepared groove.
Witness pointQC: The inspector is notified and may attend, but work can proceed if they choose not to.
TraceabilityQC: Ability to follow a weld back to material heat, consumable lot, welder, WPS, and inspection records.
ConvexityFaults: Extra face metal on a fillet beyond the theoretical triangle. Too much is a stress raiser and can hide undercut.
ConcavityFaults: Fillet face curved inward, reducing actual throat. Undersize throat is the reject reason, not the pretty dish.
SpatterFaults: Droplets of metal stuck beside the weld. Usually cosmetic unless it masks a discontinuity or violates contract finish.
Hi-loVisual: Internal or external misalignment of two members at a butt joint, especially pipe.
V-WAC gaugeVisual: Undercut gauge. Measures depth of a groove at the toe.
BackingJoints: Material placed at the root to support molten metal. May remain or be removed per WPS/drawing.
Back gougingProcesses: Removing metal from the second side to sound metal before depositing the second-side weld of a CJP.
Essential variableQC: A WPS item that, if changed beyond limits, requires requalification (new PQR).