AWS D14.4/D14.

4M:2005
An American National Standard

Specification for
Welded Joints in
Machinery and
Equipment
Key Words —Classification, equipment, inspection AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005
and weld repair, joint design, An American National Standard
machinery
Approved by
American National Standards Institute
June 10, 2005

Specification for
Welded Joints in
Machinery and Equipment

3rd Edition

Supersedes ANSI/AWS D14.4-97

Prepared by
AWS D14 Committee on Machinery and Equipment

Under the Direction of

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This specification establishes common acceptance criteria for classifying and applying carbon and low-alloy steel
welded joints used in the manufacture of machines and equipment. It also covers weld joint design, workmanship, qual-
ity control requirements and procedures, welding operator and welding procedure qualification, weld joint inspection
(visual, radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant), repair of weld defects, and heat treatment.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida 33126

 AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel......................................................................................................................................................................v
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................vii
List of Tables ..............................................................................................................................................................xii
List of Figures........................................................................................................................................................... xiii
1. Scope .....................................................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References ...........................................................................................................................................1
3. Definitions.............................................................................................................................................................2
4. Classification of Welded Joints.............................................................................................................................3
4.1 Joint Classes ................................................................................................................................................3
4.2 Intermittent Welded Joints...........................................................................................................................3
4.3 Quality Control Requirements.....................................................................................................................3
5. Welded Joint Design .............................................................................................................................................3
5.1 Stresses in Weld Metal ................................................................................................................................3
5.2 Fatigue Stress Provisions.............................................................................................................................3
5.3 Combined Unit Stresses and Toughness Requirements ..............................................................................6
5.4 Filler Metals.................................................................................................................................................6
5.5 Lap Joints.....................................................................................................................................................6
5.6 Corner and T-Joints ...................................................................................................................................12
5.7 Prohibited Types of Joints and Welds in Dynamic Applications ..............................................................12
5.8 Combinations of Welds .............................................................................................................................15
5.9 Welds in Combination with Rivets and Bolts ...........................................................................................15
5.10 Fillet Weld Details.....................................................................................................................................15
5.11 Eccentricity of Connections.......................................................................................................................15
5.12 Connections or Splices in Tension and Compression Members ...............................................................16
5.13 Connections or Splices in Compression Members with Milled Joints ......................................................16
5.14 Connections of Components of Built-Up Members ..................................................................................16
5.15 Transition of Thicknesses or Widths at Butt Joints ...................................................................................16
5.16 Girders and Beams.....................................................................................................................................16
5.17 Effective Weld Areas, Lengths, and Throats.............................................................................................18
5.18 Fillers .........................................................................................................................................................20
5.19 Partial Joint Penetration Groove Weld Restrictions ..................................................................................20
5.20 Joint Qualification .....................................................................................................................................20
5.21 Details of Fillet Welds ...............................................................................................................................21
5.22 Details of Plug and Slot Welds..................................................................................................................21
5.23 Complete Joint Penetration Groove Welds................................................................................................22
5.24 Partial Joint Penetration Groove Welds.....................................................................................................24
6. Workmanship ......................................................................................................................................................24
6.1 General.......................................................................................................................................................24
6.2 Preparation of Materials ............................................................................................................................24
6.3 Assembly ...................................................................................................................................................25

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AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005

Page No.
7. Qualification........................................................................................................................................................26
Part A—General Qualification Requirements ....................................................................................................26
7.1 Approved Procedures.................................................................................................................................26
7.2 Other Procedures .......................................................................................................................................26
7.3 Welders, Welding Operators, and Tack Welders ......................................................................................26
7.4 Qualification Responsibility ......................................................................................................................27
Part B—Welding Procedure Qualification .........................................................................................................27
7.5 General.......................................................................................................................................................27
7.6 Limitation of Variables..............................................................................................................................27
7.7 Types of Tests and Purposes......................................................................................................................30
7.8 Base Metal and Its Preparation ..................................................................................................................30
7.9 Position of Test Welds...............................................................................................................................31
7.10 Production of Test Samples .......................................................................................................................34
7.11 Test Specimens—Number, Type, and Preparation....................................................................................34
7.12 Method of Testing Specimens ...................................................................................................................35
7.13 Test Results Required ................................................................................................................................42
7.14 Records ......................................................................................................................................................45
7.15 Retests........................................................................................................................................................45
Part C—Welder Qualification.............................................................................................................................45
7.16 General.......................................................................................................................................................45
7.17 Qualification Tests Required .....................................................................................................................45
7.18 Limitation of Variables..............................................................................................................................45
7.19 Groove Weld Plate Qualification Test for Plate of Unlimited Thickness .................................................46
7.20 Groove Weld Plate Qualification Test for Plate of Limited Thickness.....................................................46
7.21 Groove Weld Qualification Test for Butt Joints on Pipe or Square or Rectangular Tubing .....................47
7.22 Groove Weld Qualification Test for T-, Y-, or K-Connections on Pipe or Square or Rectangular
Tubing........................................................................................................................................................47
7.23 Fillet Weld Qualification Test ...................................................................................................................47
7.24 Positions of Test Welds .............................................................................................................................48
7.25 Base Metal .................................................................................................................................................49
7.26 Welding Procedure ....................................................................................................................................49
7.27 Test Specimens—Number, Type, and Preparation....................................................................................49
7.28 Method of Testing Specimens ...................................................................................................................50
7.29 Test Results Required ................................................................................................................................53
7.30 Retests........................................................................................................................................................56
7.31 Period of Effectiveness ..............................................................................................................................56
7.32 Records ......................................................................................................................................................56
Part D—Welding Operator Qualification...........................................................................................................56
7.33 General.......................................................................................................................................................56
7.34 Limitation of Variables..............................................................................................................................58
7.35 Qualification Tests Required .....................................................................................................................58
7.36 Base Metal .................................................................................................................................................59
7.37 Welding Procedure ....................................................................................................................................59
7.38 Test Specimens—Number, Type, and Preparation....................................................................................59
7.39 Test Results Required ................................................................................................................................60
7.40 Retests........................................................................................................................................................60
7.41 Period of Effectiveness ..............................................................................................................................60
7.42 Records ......................................................................................................................................................60
Part E—Qualification of Tack Welders ..............................................................................................................60
7.43 General.......................................................................................................................................................60
7.44 Limitation of Variables..............................................................................................................................60

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 AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005

Page No.
7.45 Qualification Tests Required .....................................................................................................................60
7.46 Base Metal .................................................................................................................................................60
7.47 Test Specimens—Number, Type, and Preparation....................................................................................60
7.48 Method of Testing Specimens ...................................................................................................................61
7.49 Test Results Required ................................................................................................................................61
7.50 Retests........................................................................................................................................................61
7.51 Period of Effectiveness ..............................................................................................................................62
7.52 Records ......................................................................................................................................................62
8. Inspection ............................................................................................................................................................62
8.1 Visual Inspection .......................................................................................................................................62
8.2 Radiographic Inspection ............................................................................................................................66
8.3 Ultrasonic Inspection .................................................................................................................................74
8.4 Magnetic Particle Inspection .....................................................................................................................85
8.5 Liquid Penetrant Inspection.......................................................................................................................87
9. Repair ..................................................................................................................................................................88
9.1 Weld Repairs .............................................................................................................................................88
9.2 Base Metal Repairs ....................................................................................................................................89
9.3 Repair Procedure .......................................................................................................................................90
10. Postweld Treatments ...........................................................................................................................................90
10.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................90
10.2 Thermal Residual Stress Reduction...........................................................................................................91
10.3 Peening ......................................................................................................................................................91
10.4 Vibratory Conditioning..............................................................................................................................92
Mandatory Annex .......................................................................................................................................................93
Annex I—Prequalified Weld Joints ............................................................................................................................93
Nonmandatory Annexes............................................................................................................................................104
Annex A—Guidelines for Preparation of Technical Inquiries for AWS Technical Committees ..............................113
Annex B—Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................115
List of AWS Documents on Machinery and Equipment............................................................................................117

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AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005

List of Tables
Table Page No.
1 Weld Inspection Requirements ......................................................................................................................6
2 Maximum Allowable Stress in Weld Metal...................................................................................................9
3 Stress Categories to Determine the Allowable Stress Range in Tables 4 and 5 ..........................................10
4 Allowable Fatigue Stress Range for Redundant Load Path Structures........................................................13
5 Allowable Fatigue Stress Range for Non-Redundant Load Path Structures ...............................................14
6 Base Metal and Filler Metal Relationship....................................................................................................15
7 Effective Weld Sizes of Flare Groove Welds ..............................................................................................19
8 Minimum Fillet Weld Size for Prequalified Joints ......................................................................................23
9 Minimum Size of Full Strength Double Fillet Welds ..................................................................................23
10 Minimum Weld Size for Partial Joint Penetration Groove Welds...............................................................24
11 Maximum Allowable Chemical Composition Limits for Steels Prequalified for Welding.........................27
12 Procedure Qualification—Type and Position Limitations...........................................................................34
13 Procedure Qualification—Number and Type of Test Specimens Required and Range of Thickness
Qualified for Complete Joint Penetration Groove Welds ............................................................................39
14 Procedure Qualification—Number and Type of Test Specimens Required and Range of Thickness
Qualified for Fillet Welds ............................................................................................................................42
15 Welder and Welding Operator Qualification—Type and Position Limitations ..........................................54
16 Welder and Welding Operator Qualification—Number and Type of Specimens Required and
Range of Thickness Qualified......................................................................................................................55
17 Acceptance Criteria for Visual Inspection ...................................................................................................63
18 Standard Hole-Type and Wire Image Quality Indicator Requirements.......................................................67
19 Examples of Acceptable Indications............................................................................................................71
20 Limits on Acceptability and Repair of Cut Edge Discontinuities of Plate ..................................................89

xii
 AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005

List of Figures
Figure Page No.
1 Classification of Welded Joints......................................................................................................................4
2 Illustrative Examples for Table 3...................................................................................................................7
3 Design Stress Range Curves for Categories A to F Redundant Structures..................................................13
4 Design Stress Range Curves for Categories A to F Non-Redundant Structures .........................................14
5 Fillet Welds on Opposite Sides of a Common Plate of Contact ..................................................................15
6 Transition of Thickness at Butt Joints of Parts Having Unequal Thickness................................................17
7 Transition of Width at Butt Joints of Parts Having Unequal Width ............................................................18
8 Combination of Bevel Groove and Fillet Weld Profiles..............................................................................19
9 Splices or Connections with Fillers Less Than 1/4 in. [6 mm] Thick .........................................................20
10 Splices or Connections with Fillers 1/4 in. [6 mm] or Thicker....................................................................21
11 Details for Prequalified Fillet Welds ...........................................................................................................22
12 Workmanship Tolerances in Assembly of Groove Welded Joints ..............................................................26
13 Positions of Groove Welds ..........................................................................................................................32
14 Positions of Fillet Welds ..............................................................................................................................33
15 Positions of Test Plates for Groove Welds ..................................................................................................35
16 Positions of Test Pipe or Tubing for Groove Welds ....................................................................................36
17 Positions of Test Plates for Fillet Welds ......................................................................................................37
18 Positions of Test Pipe for Fillet Welds ........................................................................................................38
19 Procedure Qualification—Location of Test Specimens for 2 in. [50 mm] or 3 in. [75 mm]
Diameter Pipe...............................................................................................................................................38
20 Procedure Qualification—Location of Test Specimens for 6 in. [150 mm] or 8 in. [200 mm]
Diameter Pipe...............................................................................................................................................40
21 Procedure Qualification—Location of Test Specimens for Electroslag and Electrogas
Welded Plate ................................................................................................................................................40
22 Procedure Qualification—Location of Test Specimens for Welded Test Plate Over
3/8 in. [10 mm] Thick ..................................................................................................................................41
23 Procedure Qualification—Location of Test Specimens for Welded Test Plate
3/8 in. [10 mm] Thick ..................................................................................................................................41
24 Procedure Qualification—Fillet Weld Soundness Test (Plate to Plate) ......................................................43
25 Procedure Qualification—Fillet Weld Soundness Test (Pipe to Pipe) ........................................................44
26 Procedure Qualification—Fillet Weld Soundness Test (Pipe to Plate) .......................................................44
27 Welder Qualification—Test Plate for Unlimited Thickness........................................................................46
28 Welder Qualification—Optional Test Plate for Unlimited Thickness—Horizontal Position......................47
29 Welder Qualification—Test Plate for Limited Thickness—Flat Position ...................................................48
30 Welder Qualification—Optional Test Plate for Limited Thickness—Horizontal Position .........................49
31 Welder Qualification—Fillet Weld Break and Macroetch Test Plate—Option 1 .......................................50
32 Welder Qualification—Fillet Weld Root-Bend Test Plate—Option 2 ........................................................51
33 Welder Qualification—Plate and Pipe Butt Joint Without Backing............................................................52
34 Welder Qualification—Pipe Butt Joint With Backing.................................................................................52
35 Welder Qualification—Test Joint for T-, Y-, and K-Connections on Pipe or Square or
Rectangular Tubing......................................................................................................................................52
36 Welder Qualification—Optional Test Joint for T-, Y-, and K-Connections on Square or
Rectangular Tubing......................................................................................................................................53
37 Welder Qualification—Location of Test Specimens for Welded Test Pipe and Square or
Rectangular Tubing......................................................................................................................................57

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AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005

Figure Page No.

38 Welding Operator Qualification—Test Plate for Unlimited Thickness.......................................................58
39 Welding Operator Qualification—Electroslag and Electrogas Welded Butt Joint......................................59
40 Tack Welder Qualification—Fillet Weld Break Specimen .........................................................................61
41 Tack Welder Qualification—Method of Rupturing Fillet Weld Break Specimen ......................................61
42 Cracks in Welded Joints...............................................................................................................................64
43 Acceptable and Unacceptable Weld Profiles ...............................................................................................65
44 Radiographic Identification and Hole-Type or Wire IQI Locations on Approximately Equal
Thickness Joints 10 in. [250 mm] and Greater in Length ............................................................................68
45 Radiographic Identification and Hole-Type or Wire IQI Locations on Approximately Equal
Thickness Joints Less Than 10 in. [250 mm] in Length ..............................................................................68
46 Radiographic Identification and Hole-Type or Wire IQI Locations on Transition Joints
10 in. [250 mm] and Greater in Length .......................................................................................................69
47 Radiographic Identification and Hole-Type or Wire IQI Locations on Transition Joints
Less Than 10 in. [250 mm] in Length..........................................................................................................69
48 Examples of Aligned Rounded Indications .................................................................................................72
49 Examples of Groups of Aligned Rounded Indications ................................................................................72
50 Charts for Thickness Equal to 1/8 in. [3 mm] to 1/4 in. [6 mm], Inclusive .................................................72
51 Charts for Thickness Over 1/4 in. [6 mm] to 3/8 in. [10 mm], Inclusive ....................................................73
52 Charts for Thickness Over 3/8 in. [10 mm] to 3/4 in. [20 mm], Inclusive ..................................................73
53 Charts for Thickness Over 3/4 in. [20 mm] to 2 in. [50 mm], Inclusive .....................................................74
54 Charts for Thickness Over 2 in. [50 mm] to 4 in. [100 mm], Inclusive.......................................................75
55 Charts for Thickness Over 4 in. [100 mm] ..................................................................................................76
56 70° Calibration Standard..............................................................................................................................78
57 60° Calibration Standard..............................................................................................................................79
58 45° Calibration Standard..............................................................................................................................80
59 Typical Screen Calibration...........................................................................................................................81
60 Test Procedure—Butt Joint Welds...............................................................................................................82
61 Method for Detecting Longitudinal Discontinuities in Butt Joint Welds Not Ground Flush ......................82
62 Method for Detecting Longitudinal Discontinuities in Butt Joint Welds Ground Flush .............................83
63 Method for Detecting Longitudinal Discontinuities in Corner Welds Not Ground Flush...........................84
64 Procedure for Testing T-Joint Welds ...........................................................................................................84
65 Alternate Procedure for Testing T-Joint Welds ...........................................................................................84
66 Edge Discontinuities in Cut Material...........................................................................................................90
I.1 Prequalified Complete Joint Penetration Groove Welded Joints.................................................................93
I.2 Prequalified Partial Joint Penetration Groove Welded Joints ....................................................................104

xiv

Specification for Welded Joints
in Machinery and Equipment
1. Scope
This specification sets forth the classification of
welded joints of carbon and low-alloy steels for use in
the design and manufacture of machinery and equipment
subjected to static and dynamic loading. This specifi-
cation is not intended to dictate load determination,
design assumptions, safety factors, or calculation meth-
ods. These are the responsibility of the design engineer.
The intent of this document is to establish the effect of
weld joint geometry, welding practices, and quality con-
trol on allowable stress levels. The specification also
provides practices that can be used for qualification and
examination of welded joints used in fabrication of
machinery and equipment. It is not the intent of this
specification to restrict the use of other proven methods
and procedures which achieve acceptable results and
which have been agreed to in writing by the Owner and
Manufacturer.
This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary
Units and the International System of Units (SI). The
measurements may not be exact equivalents; therefore
each system must be used independently of the other
without combining in any way. The specification with
the designation D14.4 uses U.S. Customary Units. The
specification D14.4M uses SI Units. The latter are shown
in appropriate columns in tables and figures or within
brackets [ ] when used in the text. Detailed dimensions
on figures are in inches. A separate tabular form that
relates the U.S. Customary Units with SI Units may be
used in tables and figures.
Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the
scope of this standard, and therefore are not fully
addressed herein. Safety and health information is avail-
able from other sources, including, but not limited to,
ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Pro-
cesses, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Some sources of safety and health information can be
found in Annex C.
AWS D14.4/D14.4M:2005
2. Normative References
The following standards contain provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this AWS standard. For undated references, the latest
edition of the referenced standard shall apply. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of,
any of these publications do not apply.
2.1 American Welding Society (AWS)1
(1) AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Welding,
Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination
(2) AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and
Definitions
(3) AWS A5.1, Specification for Carbon Steel
Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding
(4) AWS A5.5, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel
Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding
(5) AWS A5.17, Specification for Carbon Steel
Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding
(6) AWS A5.18, Specification for Carbon Steel
Filler Metals for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
(7) AWS A5.20, Specification for Carbon Steel
Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding
(8) AWS A5.23, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel
Electrodes and Fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding
(9) AWS A5.28, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel
Filler Metals for Gas Shielded Arc Welding
(10) AWS A5.29, Specification for Low-Alloy Steel
Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding
(11) AWS A5.32, Specification for Welding Shielding
Gases
(12) AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure
and Performance Qualification
(13) AWS B4.0-98, Standard Methods for Mechanical
Testing of Welds, (U. S. Customary units only)
(14) AWS B4.0M:2000, Standard Methods for
Mechanical Testing of Welds, (SI units only)
1. AWS standards are published by the American Welding
Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.