AS NZS 2980:2018 – Qualification of welders for fusionwelding of steels—Additional requirements for Australia and New Zealand.
(a) self-shielded tubular cored arc welding;
(ii) MAG welding with flux cored electrode; and
(iii) MAG welding with metal cored electrode.
(c) Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is also known as ‘TIG’ in Australia and New Zealand. The term ‘TIG’ is used within AS/NZS ISO 9606.1 with four variations based on the consumables or shielding gases used.
(d) Manual metal arc welding (MMAW) is known by the same terminology within Australia and New Zealand but users of North American Standards should note the use of the alternative term ‘shielded metal arc welding’ (SMAW).
A2.5 Filler material grouping
Most of the ISO consumable classification Standards provided as examples in
AS/NZS ISO 9606.1 (Table 2) have been adopted in Australia and New Zealand. See
Clause 3.3 for Australian or Australian/New Zealand Standards that may be used as
alternatives to these ISO Standards for the application of this Standard.
A2.6 Test pieces
The test piece lengths (see AS/NZS ISO 9606.1, Clause 6.2) are suitable for most welding processes; however, users should note that longer test pieces may be required where the weld procedure is being qualified as part of the welder’s qualification test process, particularly where additional tests not listed within this Standard may be required.
For high speed or higher amperage welding processes, longer test pieces may be required to ensure adequate crater fill, e.g. SAW.
A2.7 Welding conditions (Section 6.3)
The qualification test of welders should follow weld procedure documents (pWPS or WPS) prepared in accordance with the application Standard or AS/NZS 1554.1 unless otherwise specified. All pWPS or WPS documents should report the material group number (see ISO/TR 15608 and Appendix D of this Standard) of parent materials.
A2.8 Test methods
Test methods should follow those specified in the application Standards or Appendix B unless otherwise specified. The methods are similar to those listed within AS/NZS ISO 9606.1 Clause 6.4 or provide an equivalent technical outcome.
A2.9 Acceptance
AS/NZS ISO 9606.1 (Clause 7) provides for the use of alternative acceptance criteria for imperfections. Two alternative criteria are provided for in the Appendices of this Standard and are identical to that published in the superseded AS/NZS 2980. Appendix B conforms to the requirements of a number of Standards including category SP of AS/NZS 1554.1 and AS/NZS 1554.4. Where required by the specification, other alternatives may be used,
e.g. Category FP of AS/NZS 1554.5, AS/NZS 1554.6, etc. Where alternative acceptance criteria is utilized, the welder’s certificate should indicate the name of both the test standard, i.e. AS/NZS 2980, and the alternative acceptance criteria.
A2.1O Revalidation
Revalidation (AS/NZS ISO 9606.1 Clause 9.3) was referred to as Prolongation in AS/NZS 2980 and previous editions of ISO 9606-1. A variety of methods are now available to extend the period of qualification. Welders who change employment during the life of their certificate may be able to obtain ongoing confirmation and validation with their new employer provided that the requirements of Clauses 9.2 and 9.3 are met.
B3.3 Transverse guided bend tests
Bend test specimens shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of AS 2205.3.1 using a former with a diameter as specified in Clause 6.5.2.3 of AS/NZS ISO 9606.1.
Bend-test specimens shall not reveal any discrete discontinuity 3 mm in any direction. Discontinuities appearing at the edges of a test specimen during testing shall be ignored in the evaluation unless there is evidence that cracking is due to incomplete penetration, slag or other discontinuity. The sum of the greatest discontinuities exceeding 1 mm but less than 3 mm in any one bend specimen shall not exceed 10 mm.
83.4 Fracture tests
83.4.1 Nick break test
Specimens for the nick break test shall be tested in accordance with AS 2205.4.1.
The fractured surface of the weld shall conform to Table B3.2(A) and the following
requirements:
(a) The weld shall be free from individual pores or inclusions, the areas of which exceed 5 mm.
(b) The total area of all internal imperfections shall not exceed 24 mm2 over the examination length of the weld, or 5% of the fractured weld surface area, whichever is the lessor.
83.4.2 Fillet break test
Specimens for fillet break test shall be tested in accordance with AS 2205.4.2.
The fractured surface of the weld shall conform to Table B3.2(A) and the following
requirements:
(a) The weld shall be free from individual pores or inclusions, the areas of which exceed 5 rnm.
(b) The total area of all internal imperfections shall not exceed 24 mm2 over the examination length of the weld, or 5% of the fractured surface area, whichever is the lesser.
83.5 Macroctch examination
The specimen shall be prepared and examined in accordance with AS 2205.5.1.
For acceptable qualification, the specimen when examined, shall conform to Table B3.2(A) and the following requirements.