For simple, standardized communication between designers and welders, welding symbols utilize a glyph-like shorthand language. However, for the efficiency of harmonized welding practices, standard terms in an actual language are also necessary.
To meet this need, AWS A3.0M/A3.0:2020 – Standard Welding Terms And Definitions Including Terms For Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal Cutting, And Thermal Spraying defines over 1500 terms. It even includes numerous illustrations to support and clarify the definitions, along with classification charts and corollary information related to welding and allied processes. AWS A3.0:2020 revises the 2010 edition of the same American National Standard, and, since it is definition-oriented, most of its changes are through alterations and additions to the vocabulary.
Existing Terms Enhanced in AWS A3.0:2020 Include:
- Friction stir welding
- Plastics welding
- Qualification
- Resistance welding
- Soldering
- Underwater welding
- Master Chart of Processes
New Terms Added to AWS A3.0:2020 Include:
- Additive Manufacturing
- Reentrant Angle
- Waveform-Controlled Welding
- Parallel Joint (revision of “Edge Joint”)
- Bevel Depth and Groove Depth (previously “Depth of Bevel” and “Depth of Groove”)
Other Changes to the Latest Version of AWS A3.0
Beyond these updates to terms, joints were redefined in terms of butting and nonbutting workpieces, and nondestructive examination and its synonyms were modified. Furthermore, the Master Chart of Processes was revised to classify the latest process developments and enhancements.
Get AWS A3.0:2020 and Related Welding Standards
You can find AWS A3.0M/A3.0:2020 – Standard Welding Terms And Definitions Including Terms For Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal Cutting, And Thermal Spraying on the ANSI Webstore. Welders and designers might also be interested in AWS A2.4:2020, which standardizes welding symbols. You can learn more about the recent edition of this standard in our post Standard Welding Symbols – Changes to AWS A2.4:2020.
If you need both these standards, you can get them together as the AWS BUNDLE A:2010 – AWS D1.1 / AWS A2.4 / AWS A3.0M.
