AWS A3.0M/A3.0

The purpose of this document is to establish standard terms and definitions to aid in the communication of information related to welding, additive manufacturing, adhesive bonding, brazing, soldering, thermal cutting, thermal spraying, and nondestructive examination. The standard terms and definitions published in this document should be used in the oral and written language associated with these related processes.

Whenever AWS A3.0 is mentioned in this document, it refers to the latest edition, AWS A3.0M/A3.0:2025.

When terms from AWS A3.0 are used in other AWS standards, it is intended that the AWS A3.0 definitions apply, unless a more specific meaning is intended or necessary. AWS standards may provide alternative definitions where a process-specific definition improves understanding, or when specific limits of acceptance, applicability, or performance are incorporated.

It is one of the goals of the Definitions Subcommittee that AWS A3.0 encompass all terms, not adequately defined in the dictionary, directly related to welding or allied fields. Both standard and nonstandard jargon, as well as dialect and vernacular terms, are accepted for inclusion in AWS A3.0. Nonstandard terms are primarily included to direct the user to preferred standard terms.

As this document is a comprehensive compilation of terminology, nonstandard terms are included with cross-references to the corresponding standard terms. Boldface type indicates standard terms, lightface type indicates nonstandard terms. Terms for standard welding processes and for standard welding process variations are followed by their standard letter designations.

For the user’s convenience, all new text is underlined. Additionally, a single vertical line in the margin next to a term denotes a minor change to an existing definition. A double line denotes a new term or a major change. Terms for standard processes and standard process variations are followed by their standard letter designation. All terms are arranged in word-by-word alphabetical sequence.

The principles applied by the Definitions Subcommittee for the creation of terms and definitions in AWS A3.0 are described in Annex C.