AWS API-M PDF

API 1104 provides a list of eight permitted welding processes. They are listed below:

(a) Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW).

(b) Submerged arc welding (SAW).

(c) Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

(d) Gas metal arc welding (GMAW).

(e) Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW).

(f) Plasma arc welding (PAW).

(g) Oxyacetylene welding (OAW).

(h) Flash butt welding (FW).

API 1104 also states that these processes may be applied using manual, semiautomatic, mechanized, or automatic welding techniques or a combination of these techniques. All of these techniques, except manual welding, are defined in Section 3. Study Guide Table 1.1 indicates which techniques are applicable to the permitted welding processes.

API 1104 covers procedures for various NDT methods and the acceptance standards to be applied to production welds. The NDT methods are listed below, along with their AWS abbreviations:

(a) Radiographic testing (RT).

(b) Magnetic particle testing (MT).

(c) Liquid penetrant testing (PT).

(d) Ultrasonic testing (UT).

(e) Visual testing (VT).

The numerical values stated in API 1104 are given in either U.S. Customary units or metric (SI) units. The U.S. Customary values typically appear first, followed by the SI units in parentheses, but the SI units are approximations of the corresponding U.S. customary units. API 1104 emphasizes that you must use one system or the other and not combine them.