AWS C3.6M/C3.

6:2008
An American National Standard

Specification for
Furnace Brazing
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
An American National Standard

Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
September 12, 2007

Specification for
Furnace Brazing

3rd Edition

Supersedes AWS C3.6:1999

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering

Under the Direction of the

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This specification provides the minimum fabrication, equipment, material, process procedure requirements, as well as
inspection requirements for the furnace brazing of steels, copper, copper alloys, and heat- and corrosion-resistant alloys
and other materials that can be adequately furnace brazed (the furnace brazing of aluminum alloys is addressed in AWS
C3.7M/C3.7, Specification for Aluminum Brazing). This specification provides criteria for classifying furnace brazed
joints based on loading and the consequences of failure and quality assurance criteria defining the limits of acceptability
in each class. This specification defines acceptable furnace brazing equipment, materials, and procedures, as well as the
required inspection for each class of joint.

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

AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-080-2

American Welding Society
550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126
2007 by American Welding Society
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America

Photocopy Rights. No portion of this standard may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form, including mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright
owner.

Authorization to photocopy items for internal, personal, or educational classroom use only or the internal, personal, or
educational classroom use only of specific clients is granted by the American Welding Society provided that the appropriate
fee is paid to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, tel: (978) 750-8400; Internet:
<www.copyright.com>.

ii
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American
Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or
made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other govern-
mental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS
standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of
those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document
that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements
of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings
together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While the AWS administers the
process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evalu-
ate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether
special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance
on this standard. AWS also makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information
published herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or
on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone
else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the
advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is
assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions are entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by the issuance of new editions. Users should ensure that they have the latest edition.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept
any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of
any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

Finally, the AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted
on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request,
in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society,
Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex B).
With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered.
These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional
advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals
do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of
AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering. It must be
reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations,
additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be
addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS C3 Committee on
Brazing and Soldering and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committees response to the comments.
Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering to express their comments
verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of
Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding
Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

iii
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

This page is intentionally blank.

iv
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

Personnel

AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering

P. T. Vianco, Chair Sandia National Laboratories
R. W. Smith, Vice Chair Materials Resources International
S. N. Borrero, Secretary American Welding Society
G. L. Alexy The Prince & Izant Company
R. Aluru Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
B. Barten Delphi Thermal & Interior
D. W. Bucholz Conforma Clad, Incorporated
D. E. Budinger General Electric Aviation
C. F. Darling Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
W. J. Engeron Engineered Alloy & Systems Support
S. L. Feldbauer Abbott Furnace Company
Y. Flom NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
D. Fortuna Sulzer Metco (U.S.), Incorporated
Y. Gao Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
R. A. Gross Gourley Curtiss-Wright
S. R. Hazelbaker The Prince & Izant Company
T. P. Hirthe Kru-Mar Manufacturing Services
F. M. Hosking Sandia National Laboratories
J. R. Jachna Modine Manufacturing Company
D. A. Javernick Los Alamos National Laboratory
D. Kane ADB Industries
G. F. Kayser Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
M. J. Kuta Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
E. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical
M. J. Lucas, Jr. General Electric Aviation
R. P. McKinney The Prince & Izant Company
C. R. Moyer Bodycote Thermal Processing
T. Oyama WESGO Metals
C. A. Paponetti, Sr. Expert Brazing & Heat Treating, Incorporated
R. L. Peaslee Wall Colmonoy Corporation
A. Rabinkin Metglas, Incorporated / Titanium Brazing
A. E. Shapiro Titanium Brazing, Incorporated
C. Walker Sandia National Laboratories

Advisors to the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering

A. Belohlav Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
S. S. Bhargava American Axle & Manufacturing Company
S. Christy Pratt and Whitney
N. C. Cole NCC Engineering
C. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
P. K. Gupta Honeywell Aerospace
M. J. Higgins Pratt and Whitney
H. Lichtenberger Williams Advanced Materials
E. Lugscheider Aachen University of Technology
W. D. Rupert Wolverine Joining Technologies

v
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

AWS C3D Subcommittee on Brazing Specifications

J. R. Jachna, Chair Modine Manufacturing Company
S. R. Hazelbaker, Vice Chair The Prince & Izant Company
S. N. Borrero, Secretary American Welding Society
R. Aluru Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
D. E. Budinger General Electric Aviation
S. L. Feldbauer Abbott Furnace Company
Y. Flom NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
C. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
Y. P. Gao Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
R. A. Gross Gourley Curtiss-Wright
T. P. Hirthe Kru-Mar Manufacturing Services
F. M. Hosking Sandia National Laboratories
D. Kane ADB Industries
G. F. Kayser Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
M. J. Kuta Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
E. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical
J. A. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical
M. J. Lucas, Jr. General Electric Aviation
R. P. McKinney The Prince & Izant Company
C. R. Moyer Bodycote Thermal Processing
J. Newman Laser Technology, Incorporated
T. Oyama WESGO Metals
C. A. Paponetti, Sr. Expert Brazing and Heat Treating, Incorporated
R. L. Peaslee Wall Colmonoy Corporation
M. J. Pohlman Honeywell Aerospace
R. W. Smith Materials Resources International
P. T. Vianco Sandia National Laboratories
C. M. Volpe Wolverine Joining Technologies
C. Walker Sandia National Laboratories
C. Wohlmuth Consultant

Advisors to the AWS C3D Subcommittee on Brazing Specifications

B. Barten Delphi Thermal & Interior
N. C. Cole NCC Engineering
P. K. Gupta Honeywell Aerospace
M. J. Higgins Pratt and Whitney
T. A. Kern Consultant
H. H. Lang York International Corporation
H. Mizuhara Consultant
W. D. Rupert Wolverine Joining Technologies
K. P. Thornberry Care Medical, Incorporated
R. W. Walls Walls Engineering

vi
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

Foreword
This foreword is not part of AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008, Specification for
Furnace Brazing, but is included for informational purposes only.

This specification is one of a series prepared at the request of the Aerospace Materials Division (AMD) of the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) and a number of other organizations to replace the military specification MIL-B-7883,
Brazing of Steels, Copper, Copper Alloys, Nickel Alloys, Aluminum, and Aluminum Alloys, which addressed all brazing
processes. It became both obsolete and very cumbersome as brazing technology proliferated and became more complex.
Addressing all of the diverse brazing processes in one concise, easily understood document was found to be impractical;
therefore, a series of five independent specifications on brazing have been written, all in the same format. These are
AWS C3.4M/C3.4, Specification for Torch Brazing; AWS C3.5M/C3.5, Specification for Induction Brazing; the present
document, AWS C3.6M/C3.6, Specification for Furnace Brazing; AWS C3.7M/C3.7, Specification for Aluminum Brazing,
and C3.8M/C3.8, Specification for the Ultrasonic Examination of Brazed Joints.
The decision to subdivide the technology in this way was based on a survey of production brazing applications conducted
by the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering. The survey demonstrated that these five specifications would cover
the vast majority of brazing performed today.
After the completion of the fourth brazing specification, it was determined that a document providing specific criteria
and requirements for the application of ultrasonic testing to brazed joints was needed. Therefore, AWS C3.8M/C3.8,
Specification for the Ultrasonic Examination of Brazed Joints, was written to complement this series.
This third edition supersedes AWS C3.6:1999, bearing the same title.
Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS
C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

vii
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

This page is intentionally blank.

viii
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel......................................................................................................................................................................v
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................vii
1. Scope.....................................................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References .........................................................................................................................................1
3. Terms and Definitions.........................................................................................................................................2
4. Classification of Brazed Joints ...........................................................................................................................2
4.1 Method of Classification..............................................................................................................................2
4.2 Class A Joints ..............................................................................................................................................2
4.3 Class B Joints...............................................................................................................................................3
4.4 Class C Joints...............................................................................................................................................3
4.5 No Class Specified.......................................................................................................................................3
5. Process Requirements .........................................................................................................................................3
5.1 Process Description .....................................................................................................................................3
5.2 Equipment....................................................................................................................................................3
5.3 Materials ......................................................................................................................................................5
5.4 Procedure Requirements..............................................................................................................................5
5.5 Brazing Procedure Qualification .................................................................................................................6
5.6 Safety and Health.........................................................................................................................................6
6. Quality Assurance Provisions ............................................................................................................................7
6.1 Responsibility for Inspection.......................................................................................................................7
6.2 Requirements for Compliance .....................................................................................................................7
6.3 Sequence of Inspection and Manufacturing Operations..............................................................................7
6.4 Required Inspection of Brazed Joints ..........................................................................................................7
6.5 Acceptance Criteria .....................................................................................................................................9
Annex A (Informative)Informative References .....................................................................................................11
Annex B (Informative)Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries.......................................................13
List of AWS Documents on Brazing and Soldering ..................................................................................................15

ix
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

This page is intentionally blank.

x

Specification for Furnace Brazing
1. Scope
This specification presents the minimum fabrication and
quality requirements for the furnace brazing of materials
such as steels, stainless steels, nickel, nickel alloys, copper,
copper alloys, and heat- or corrosion-resistant materials
as well as other materials that can be adequately furnace
brazed. Note that the furnace brazing of aluminum alloys
is addressed in AWS C3.7M/C3.7, Specification for
Aluminum Brazing.
The purpose of this specification is to standardize fur-
nace brazing process requirements and control brazed
joint quality for all applications requiring brazed joints of
assured quality. This document establishes minimum
requirements for processes and products with a minimum
of explanatory information so that sources of ambiguity
are minimized. It assigns responsibility for the ultimate
quality of the brazed product to a single organization and
permits that organization to modify requirements if
appropriate to the application. It requires proper docu-
mentation of any such modifications.
Procedures for the protection of the safety and health of
those performing resistance brazing and related opera-
tions are of great importance. However, 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 available from other sources,
including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.1, Safety in
Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes.
This standard makes use of both the International System
of Units (SI) and U.S. Customary Units. The latter
are shown within brackets [ ], or in appropriate columns
in tables and figures. The measurements may not be
exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
independently.
2. Normative References
The standards listed below contain provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute mandatory pro-
1
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
visions of this AWS standard. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply.
For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revi-
sions of, any of these publications do not apply.
American Welding Society (AWS) standards:1
AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing,
and Nondestructive Examination;
AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions,
Including Terms for Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Solder-
ing, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying;
AWS A5.8/A5.8M, Specification for Filler Metals for
Brazing and Braze Welding;
AWS A5.31, Specification for Fluxes for Brazing and
Braze Welding;
AWS B2.2, Standard for Brazing Procedure and Per-
formance Qualification;
AWS C3.3, Recommended Practices for the Design,
Manufacture, and Examination of Critical Brazed Com-
ponents; and
AWS C3.8M/C3.8, Specification for the Ultrasonic
Examination of Brazed Joints.
American Society for Quality (ASQ) standard:2
ASQ Z1.4, Sampling Procedures and Tables for
Inspection by Attributes.
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)/Aerospace
Materials Division (AMD) standards:3
SAE AMS 2403, Plating, General Purpose;
1 AWS standards are published the American Welding Society,
550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.
2 ASQ standards are published by the American Society for
Quality, 600 North Plankinton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203-
3005.
3 SAE standards are published the Society of Automotive
Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-
0001.
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
SAE AMS 2424, Plating, Nickel, Low Stressed
Deposit;
SAE AMS 2451/1, Plating, Brush, Nickel General
Purpose; and
SAE AMS 2750, Pyrometry.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
standards:4
ASTM E 230, Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for
Standardized Thermocouples;
ASTM E 1742, Standard Practice for Radiographic
Examination; and
ASTM E 1417, Standard Practice for Liquid Pene-
trant Examination.
National Conference of Standards Laboratories (NCSL)
standard:5
NCSL Z540-1, General Requirements for Calibration
Laboratories and Measuring and Test Equipment.
3. Terms and Definitions
AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions,
Including Terms for Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Solder-
ing, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying, provides
the basis for terminology used herein.
For the purposes of this document, the following terms
and definitions apply:
braze joint. The total area, as defined by the engineering
drawing, of the faying surfaces to be joined by braz-
ing and the fillets that form at the edges of that area.
braze joint proper. The total area, as defined by the
engineering drawing, of the faying surfaces to be
joined by brazing, excluding any fillets that form at
the edges of that area.
brazing symbol. The symbol on the engineering draw-
ing designating the location, class, and configuration
of the brazed joint. Such symbols shall be in accor-
dance with AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Weld-
ing, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination.
4 ASTM standards are published by the American Society for
Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Consho-
hocken, PA 19428-2959.
5 NCSL standards are published by the National Conference of
Standards Laboratories, 2995 Wilderness Place, Suite 107,
Boulder, CO 80301-5404.
2
braze wetting. Brazing filler metal should be smooth,
adherent, and exhibiting no evidence of repulsion of
the brazing filler metal by the base metal surface.
brazing procedure specification (BPS). A document
specifying the required brazing variables for a spe-
cific application.
joint dimensions. The joint length is the greater of the
two dimensions of the joint parallel to the faying sur-
faces. The joint width is the lesser of these two dimen-
sions of the joint. The clearance between the faying
surfaces is the third dimension to be considered.
lack of bond. A condition in a brazed joint where
although brazing filler metal is present between the
faying surfaces, the filler metal does not adhere or
form a metallurgical bond with the base metal. It most
commonly occurs when brazing filler metal is pre-
placed between contaminated faying surfaces.
Organization Having Quality Responsibility. The
organization responsible to the end user of the product
for the quality of the product and its suitability for the
intended use. This organization is usually the manu-
facturer and marketer of the final product in commer-
cial business and the prime contractor in government
procurement. Although such organizations may sub-
contract brazing and related operations to others, they
cannot delegate the ultimate responsibility for the ser-
vice suitability of the product to these subcontractors.
surface porosity. A roughened or spongy appearance or
open pores on the surface of the brazed fillet. Such
pores are not sharply linear or crack-like in shape.
Surface porosity is confined to the fillet and does not
progress into the braze joint proper.
void. Any area of the braze joint proper that is not com-
pletely filled with brazing filler material.
4. Classification of Brazed Joints
4.1 Method of Classification. Furnace brazed joints are
classified in this specification based on two criteria: the
design requirements and the consequences of their fail-
ure. It is the responsibility of the Organization Having
Quality Responsibility to evaluate these or other factors
and assign the proper classification. This classification
controls which inspection methods and limits are
required.
4.2 Class A Joints. Class A joints are those joints sub-
jected to high stresses, cyclic stresses, or both, the failure
of which could result in significant risk to persons or prop-
erty, or could result in a significant operational failure.

4.3 Class B Joints. Class B joints are those joints sub-
jected to low or moderate stresses, cyclic stresses, or
both, the failure of which could result in significant
risk to persons or property, or in significant operational
failure.
4.4 Class C Joints. Class C joints are those joints sub-
jected to low or moderate stresses, cyclic stresses, or
both, the failure of which would have no significant
detrimental effect.
4.5 No Class Specified. When no class is specified on
the engineering drawing or other applicable document
approved by the Organization Having Quality Responsi-
bility, Class A requirements shall apply. However,
because of the confusion that can result, all engineering
drawings referencing this specification should state
the class of the brazed joint in the brazing symbol. Sym-
bols shall be in accordance with AWS A2.4, Standard
Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive
Examination.
5. Process Requirements
5.1 Process Description. Furnace brazing is a process in
which assembled components, with brazing filler metal
preplaced, are loaded into a furnace. The furnace is then
purged with a neutral or reducing atmosphere, or evacu-
ated of air, and heated to a certain temperature (generally
above the liquidus of the brazing filler metal, but less
than the melting point of the base metals). The braze-
ments are then cooled or quenched at an appropriate rate
so as to minimize distortion and produce the required
properties in the brazing filler metal and base material.
This cycle is designed to produce the melting and solidi-
fication of the brazing filler metal required to join the
components without melting or damaging the base metals.
5.2 Equipment
5.2.1 General Furnace Requirements. All brazing
furnaces shall have automatic temperature control and
recording devices in good working order capable of con-
trolling the temperature profile of the furnace to the
requirements of this specification. Furnaces shall have
adequate capacity to accomplish uniform heating of the
workload at the rate required to prevent both unaccept-
able thermal distortion of the assemblies and liquation of
the brazing filler metal. The furnace and associated
equipment shall be properly maintained in good working
order.
5.2.2 Temperature Measurement and Control
Instruments. In closed, batch-type furnaces, suitable
instrumentation and thermocouples (see 5.2.3) shall be
provided to measure and control the temperature of
3
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
assemblies being brazed. In equipment where SAE AMS
2750, Pyrometry, is not used in its entirety, the provi-
sions of 5.2.2 shall apply. The instrument shall be of the
potentiometer type or equivalent capable of measuring,
recording, and providing a permanent record of the tem-
perature through the entire brazing thermal cycle. In fur-
naces with multiple heating zones (i.e., preheat zone,
braze zone, postheat zone), such instrumentation shall be
provided for each zone.
All instruments used to measure the temperature of
assemblies being brazed or to control furnace tempera-
ture, or both, shall have an indicated temperature accu-
racy range of not more than 0.25% of the maximum for
which the furnace is qualified over the entire operating
range, including each furnace heat zone. The indicated
temperature accuracy of the instrument shall be deter-
mined in accordance with the equipment manufacturers
recommendations using a known electromotive force
input traceable to the National Institute of Standards and
Technology.6
All instruments shall be calibrated in accordance with
SAE AMS 2750 and NCSL Z540-1, General Require-
ments for Calibration Laboratories and Measuring and
Test Equipment. Instruments shall be calibrated on a reg-
ular schedule or whenever repairs or modifications are
made to them.
5.2.3 Workload Control Thermocouples. Workload
control thermocouples shall be of a type listed in ASTM
E 230, Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Standard-
ized Thermocouples. They shall be calibrated by compar-
ison to a known calibrated test instrument traceable to
the National Institute of Standards and Technology with
the frequency specified by AMS 2750 and replaced as
required.
5.2.4 Work-Zone Control Thermocouples. Work-
zone control thermocouples (furnace control) shall be of
a type listed in ASTM E 230. They shall be calibrated by
a comparison to a known calibrated instrument traceable
to the National Institute of Standards and Technology
with the frequency specified by SAE AMS 2750 and
replaced as required.
5.2.5 Atmosphere-Controlling Instruments
5.2.5.1 Electronic Dew Point Measuring
Devices. Electronic dew point measuring devices shall
be calibrated in accordance with the manufacturers rec-
ommendations against reference devices traceable to the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, or
6 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
Office of Standard Reference Materials, 100 Bureau Drive,
Stop 2300, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2300.
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
equivalent. Such gauges shall be calibrated before initial
use and recalibrated at a frequency not to exceed six
months.
5.2.5.2 Vacuum Measuring Devices. Thermocou-
ple gages shall be used to measure pressure higher than
0.13 Pa [103 torr]. Suitable electronic gauges shall be
used to measure pressures of 0.13 Pa [103 torr] or less.
These gauges shall be so mounted as to measure the pres-
sure within the work zone of the furnace. Suitable instru-
ments for reading and recording the pressure within the
furnace work zone shall also be provided.
These instruments and gauges shall be calibrated in
accordance with the manufacturers recommendations
against reference standards traceable to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology. Such gauges shall
be calibrated before initial use and recalibrated at a fre-
quency not to exceed six months.
5.2.6 Furnace Qualification. In equipment for which
SAE AMS 2750 is not used in its entirety, the provisions
of 5.2.6 shall apply. All furnaces shall be qualified for
temperature uniformity and control prior to initial use for
production brazing. Furnaces used for brazing above
1093C [2000F] shall be requalified at least every three
months. Furnaces used only for brazing below 1093C
[2000F] shall be requalified every six months.
All furnaces shall be requalified after any repairs or alter-
ations to the furnace that might affect furnace tempera-
ture control or uniformity (e.g., new heating elements,
new control thermocouple(s), burner tubes, replacement
of shielding burner tubes). Requalification is not
required when the repair or alteration has previously
been documented not to affect the temperature control or
uniformity of the furnace.
5.2.6.1 Furnace Qualification Procedure. Tem-
perature uniformity tests may be conducted with a fur-
nace load representative of production parts, material,
racks, or empty, and using a typical production atmo-
sphere or vacuum level. The test shall be conducted
using new or recalibrated thermocouples. The potentio-
metric measuring equipment or equivalent shall meet the
requirements of 5.2.2.
Instruments used to control the furnace during produc-
tion brazing shall not be used to monitor the qualification
thermocouples. A minimum of three thermocouples shall
be used to determine the temperature uniformity of fur-
naces having a work zone volume of 0.085 m3 (cubic
meters) [3 ft3 (cubic feet)] or less. A minimum of five
thermocouples shall be used to determine the uniformity
of furnaces having a work zone between 0.085m3 to
0.28m3 [3 ft3 to 10 ft3]. A minimum of nine thermocou-
ples or one thermocouple per 0.71m3 [25 ft3] of working
4
zone, whichever is greater, shall be used to determine the
uniformity of furnaces having a work zone larger than
0.28m3 [10 ft3]. No more than 40 thermocouples shall be
required to determine the temperature uniformity in the
work zone of any furnace.
The thermocouples shall be symmetrically distributed
within the work zone. Qualification shall be performed at
the highest and lowest brazing temperature at which the
furnace is used and at intermediate temperature such that
the difference between qualification temperatures is not
greater than 315C [600F].
The temperature of all test and furnace control thermo-
couples shall be recorded at intervals of no more than
five minutes starting immediately after heating begins.
Temperature measurement and recording shall continue
at least 30 minutes after equilibrium has been reached to
determine the temperature pattern of the furnace. The
results of the test shall be posted at the furnace and shall
include the date of testing, the due date of the next test,
the size of the work zone, and the results of the tests,
including the location within the work zone of the hottest
and coldest location.
Temperature uniformity may be run with a production
load when all requirements are met.
5.2.6.2 Temperature Uniformity Requirements.
Before temperature equilibrium has been reached, no
temperature reading shall exceed the temperature for
which the furnace is being qualified by more than 14C
[25F]. After temperature equilibrium has been reached,
the temperature recorded by any test thermocouple shall
not vary from the selected furnace control temperature
by more than 14C [25F].
5.2.7 Atmosphere Furnace Requirements. Atmo-
sphere controls shall be suitable for the intended purpose
and in good working order. The gas supply and purifica-
tion system shall be capable of supplying atmosphere
gases in accordance with the approved brazing procedure
specification (BPS) (see 5.5).
5.2.8 Vacuum Furnace Requirements. Vacuum fur-
naces shall comply with the following performance
requirements: a cold and previously outgassed furnace
shall leak no more than 2.6 Pa [20 103 torr] per hour
when the vacuum chamber is isolated from the pumping
system after being evacuated to 0.65 Pa [5 103 torr] or
less.
Such a leak rate test shall be performed at least once a
week, or whenever there is reason to suspect that an
unacceptable leak rate exists. The furnace should have
the capability of introducing argon, hydrogen, helium, or
nitrogen, if required, for rapid cooling or to backfill after
evacuation to maintain a partial pressure, if required, to

prevent sublimation of elements from the brazing filler
metal.
5.2.9 Fixtures. When required, furnace brazing fix-
tures shall be made of suitable materials that will not
contaminate the furnace or workload either upon contact
or by vaporization. Fixtures shall be designed, built, and
maintained to provide adequate support of assemblies,
maintain proper braze joint clearance, and accommodate
thermal expansion, all without adversely affecting mass
load and uniformity. Coating with stop-off, ceramic, or
other protective coating of the fixtures may be required
to prevent or minimize brazing of the assembly to the
fixtures.
5.3 Materials
5.3.1 Furnace Brazing Materials Requirements. As
a minimum, the following furnace brazing materials (as
required) shall be documented:
5.3.1.1 Brazing Filler Metals. The brazing filler
metal to be used shall be specified on the engineering
drawing or accompanying documents and shall meet the
requirements of AWS A5.8/A5.8M, Specification for
Filler Metals for Brazing and Braze Welding, unless oth-
erwise specified by the engineering drawing or accompa-
nying documents. There are brazing filler metal/base
metal combinations that can cause severe service prob-
lems under certain circumstances, e.g., nickel-based
alloys brazed with silver-bearing brazing filler metals
and iron-based alloys brazed with silver or copper-based
brazing filler metals containing high phosphorous. Care
should be exercised to ensure that the brazing filler metal
selected is metallurgically compatible with the base
metal and the furnace brazing process. Also, measures
may need to be taken to prevent bonding of the braze-
ment to the fixture material.
5.3.1.2 Fluxes. Fluxes shall be used in combina-
tion with controlled atmospheres, other than in vacuum,
only when specified on the approved BPS (see 5.5).
Fluxes are specified in AWS A5.31/A5.31M, Specifica-
tion for Fluxes for Brazing and Braze Welding. Other
fluxes may be used if permitted by the Organization
Having Quality Responsibility.
5.3.1.3 Cleaning Materials. Cleaning materials
shall leave no residue that will interfere with the wetting
or flow of the filler metal. For example, alumina, silica,
zirconia, or other nonmetallic blast cleaning media may
leave undesirable residue that could inhibit the braze
wettability. Chemical cleaning solutions that are detri-
mental to the base metal or brazing process shall not be
used (see 5.6 for Safety Precautions).
5
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
5.3.1.4 Furnace Atmosphere. Furnace atmo-
spheres shall be compatible with the brazing filler metal
and base metals and suitable for the particular application.
5.3.1.5 Braze Stopoff. Braze stopoff, if used, shall
be suitable for the intended purpose and compatible with
the base metal(s), brazing filler metal, and any protective
atmospheres used. In certain specialized applications,
residues from stopoff materials can produce unaccept-
able contamination of the product. If contamination is
suspected, approval by the Organization Having Quality
Responsibility should be obtained prior to use.
5.4 Procedure Requirements
5.4.1 Surface Preparation. The faying surfaces and
adjacent areas of components to be brazed shall be free
of oil, grease, dirt, oxides, paint, scale, or other foreign
substances that can interfere with the brazing process or
contaminate the braze joint. Burrs shall be removed as
required prior to final cleaning to permit proper assembly
and brazing filler metal flow.
5.4.2 Nickel Plating. Nickel plating is recommended
on the braze joint areas of stainless, corrosion-, or heat-
resistant steels having equal or greater percentage by
weight of the following alloying elements:
(1) Titanium0.40%,
(2) Aluminum0.40%, and
(3) Titanium plus aluminum0.70%.
Electrolytic nickel plate 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm [0.0004 in
to 0.0008 in] thick shall be applied in accordance with
SAE AMS 2403, Plating, Nickel, General Purpose, SAE
AMS 2424, Plating, Nickel Low-Stressed Deposit, or
SAE AMS 2451/1, Plating, Brush, Nickel General Pur-
pose. When the braze temperature is below 815C
[1500F], SAE AMS 2404, Plating, Electroless Nickel,
may be used. Other nickel plating methods per SAE
AMS 2451/7, Plating, Brush, Nickel Low Stress, Medium-
Hardness Deposit, may be used.
The plating shall extend 2.5 mm [0.10 in] minimum
beyond the brazed joint area indicated by the brazing
symbol on the engineering drawing unless the part con-
figuration does not permit this allowance. In addition,
nickel plate may be specified by the Organization Hav-
ing Quality Responsibility to cover any area or the entire
surface of details or assemblies at its discretion. When
the drawing or purchase documents do not specify local-
ized plating, the components may be completely plated.
CAUTION: When using nickel plating, phosphorus or
sulfurpotential ingredients in the nickel platingmay
interact with steel to form iron phosphides or sulfides
when heated to over 815C [1500F]. Temperature mon-
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
itoring shall be used, whenever possible, when heating to
ensure the nickel plating will not interact with the base
metals and form deleterious phases.
5.4.3 Joint Clearance. Joint clearance between fay-
ing surfaces to be furnace brazed shall be controlled by
the assembly procedures so that proper joint clearance at
the brazing temperature is provided. When one of the
faying surfaces is cross-hatched or straight-line knurled
in the direction of brazing filler metal flow into the joint,
a line-to-line fit is permitted. The depth of such knurling
shall not exceed 0.13 mm [0.005 in] below the original
surface. Suggested joint clearances for typical materials
may be found in the AWS Brazing Handbook.
5.4.4 Tack Welding. When tack welding is required
to maintain proper positioning of components, the tack
weld size, location, and welding filler metal shall be
specified on the engineering drawing, or in writing by
the Organization Having Quality Responsibility. Tack
welds shall be applied with adequate inert gas shielding
per the approved welding procedure to assure that oxide
contamination of the braze joint surfaces does not occur.
5.4.5 Application of Brazing Filler Metal. Brazing
filler metal specified by the engineering drawing may be
applied as a paste mixture, slurry, wire, foil, transfer
tape, cladding (braze sheet), or preformed shapes, as
defined in the approved BPS. Brazing filler metal shall
be applied to one side of the joint only or in slots
machined within the joint area so that it flows through
the joint by capillary action in order to facilitate visual
inspection.
Brazing filler metal placement between the joint faying
surfaces of Class A and Class B joints shall be permitted
only when authorized by the engineering drawing, with
the prior written approval of the Organization Having
Quality Responsibility, or if ultrasonic inspection or
another approved inspection procedure per 6.4.3.4 is per-
formed to assure proper metallurgical bonding between
the braze filler metal and base metals. After the brazing
filler metal application, assemblies shall be protected
from contamination by suitable means.
5.4.6 Application of Stopoff. Braze stopoff, if used,
shall be applied in the quantities and locations specified
in the approved BPS to control brazing filler metal flow
as required to meet the engineering drawing. It shall be
applied so as to avoid contamination of the braze joint or
the brazing filler metal.
5.4.7 Brazing Cycle. The brazing temperature and
time shall be controlled depending on the chemical com-
position of the brazing filler metal and the degree of dif-
fusion brazing desired. Heating and cooling rate shall be
controlled to prevent distortion of the specific design of
6
the component being processed. These parameters may
be defined on the engineering drawing or in writing by
the Organization Having Quality Responsibility.
5.4.7.1 Rebrazing. Rebraze cycles shall be permit-
ted only to a BPS meeting the requirements of 5.5. When
the original brazing filler metal application side is
closed, additional brazing filler metal may be added if
needed to the opposite side of the joint.
Brazed joints may be rebrazed by brazing to the original
approved BPS without the specific written approval of
the Organization Having Quality Responsibility, unless
otherwise specified by that organization. Additional
brazing filler metal of the same type used in the original
procedure may be used.
If the assembly is still not acceptable after having been
rebrazed twice, or if a brazing process or brazing filler
metal other than that approved by the qualified procedure
is to be used, or if disassembly of the brazed assembly is
required, then prior written approval of the procedures to
be used shall be obtained from the Organization Having
Quality Responsibility. If it is necessary to change the
brazing process or brazing filler metal to accomplish the
rebraze, then the new procedure shall be qualified as
specified in 5.5.
5.4.8 Postbrazing Operations. Assemblies shall be
cooled after brazing in such a manner that cracking of the
brazing filler metal or base metals does not occur and
residual stresses are minimized. Postbraze heat treat-
ments, or combined brazing and heat treating cycles, if
required, shall be performed per the engineering draw-
ing. If required, flux or stopoff residues shall be removed
by suitable means.
5.5 Brazing Procedure Qualification. Brazing equip-
ment, procedures, and process parameters shall be quali-
fied to establish the properties that are expected to result
from its application to production brazements. The con-
ditions used in making the test brazement (if required) or
production assemblies, and the results of the required
examination, shall be documented. Qualification proce-
dures may be in accordance with AWS B2.2, Standard
for Brazing Procedure and Performance Qualification,
or as required by the Organization Having Quality
Responsibility. If multiple brazing cycles are required
for product fabrication, then all cycles shall be so quali-
fied, documented, and approved. Prior to use, any modi-
fication of the approved procedure(s) shall be approved
in writing.
5.6 Safety and Health. Brazing fluxes and brazing filler
metals, particularly those containing cadmium, emit haz-
ardous fumes during the brazing cycle. It is mandatory
that all furnace brazing operations be properly and ade-

quately ventilated or that operators be provided with an
adequate breathing apparatus, or both, as required to
ensure that all relevant federal, state, and local govern-
ment safety and health requirements are met.
In addition, there are other hazards involved in furnace
brazing such as those relating to the use of corrosive
fluxes, potentially explosive gases, and hot surfaces. The
standard ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and
Allied Processes, provides further information on these
and other safety and health concerns that must be con-
trolled during furnace brazing. Information on the hazards
associated with materials used in the brazing process
may be found in the Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDSs) available from the manufacturer, as well as
the AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets available via
www.aws.org.
6. Quality Assurance Provisions
6.1 Responsibility for Inspection. Unless otherwise
specified in the contract or purchase order, the organiza-
tion performing a brazing operation is responsible for all
inspection of the brazed joints. This requirement
includes a system of quality control and documentation
that assures and can attest that all required operations and
procedures have been performed. Suppliers may use
their own facilities or any other facility acceptable to the
Organization Having Quality Responsibility for the
inspection of the final product. However, the Organiza-
tion Having Quality Responsibility shall retain the right
to perform or witness the required tests or to perform any
other tests necessary to assure that the brazed assemblies
conform to the requirements of this specification, and the
engineering drawing.
6.2 Responsibility for Compliance. All products shall
meet all requirements of this specification except when
deviation is specifically approved in writing by the Orga-
nization Having Quality Responsibility, or is part of the
engineering drawing. The braze inspections required
shall become a part of the contractors overall inspection
system or quality program. The absence of any inspec-
tion requirements in this specification shall not relieve a
contractor of the responsibility of assuring that all prod-
ucts or supplies that the contractor produces under this
specification meet all contractual obligations. The use of
inspection sampling systems (see 6.4.4) does not autho-
rize the shipment of known defective material nor does it
obligate any person or organization to accept defective
material.
6.3 Sequence of Inspection and Manufacturing Oper-
ations. Furnace brazed joints may be inspected at the
assembly or subassembly level, provided the entire joint
7
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
is accessible for inspection. Brazements requiring post-
braze heat treatment at the brazing house shall be
inspected after heat treatment has been completed, unless
otherwise specified on the engineering drawing. When
brazed joints are inspected in process prior to the
machining of joint edges, reinspection shall be required
after machining to assure that the brazed joint has not
been damaged in the machining operations. Inspection
should be performed after postbraze cleaning.
6.4 Required Inspection of Brazed Joints
6.4.1 Destructive Testing. The destructive testing of
assemblies or samples shall be performed as required for
process qualification or corrective action. The destruc-
tive testing of samples or sample parts shall not be sub-
stituted for any nondestructive examination required by
this specification except as part of an approved sampling
in accordance with the requirements of this specification
or as part of an inspection procedure complying with
6.4.3.4.
6.4.1.2 Burst Test. Burst testing shall be con-
ducted when required by the Organization Having Qual-
ity Responsibility.
6.4.2 Visual Examination. All brazed joints shall be
visually examined to the acceptance criteria specified in
6.5.
6.4.3 Nondestructive Examination. Class A and
Class B brazed joints, except as specified in 6.4.3.3 and
6.4.3.4, shall be examined either radiographically or
ultrasonically in accordance with the requirements of
6.5.2 unless otherwise specified on the engineering
drawing. The choice of process is optional, except for the
criteria established in 6.4.3.1 and 6.4.3.2. However,
ultrasonic examination is generally the preferred method
for examining brazed joints.
6.4.3.1 Radiographic Examination. Radiographic
examination shall be performed in accordance with
ASTM E 1742, Standard Practice for Radiographic
Examination. When the joint clearance is less than 2% of
the total thickness of the base metals or when the brazing
filler metal is preplaced between the faying surfaces, the
capability of the radiographic technique to detect the
minimum discontinuity size required by the Organization
Having Quality Responsibility shall be demonstrated.
NOTE: When brazing filler metal is preplaced between
the faying surfaces, unmelted filler metal may result in
unreliable interpretations.
Ultrasonic examination shall be required when the crite-
ria for radiographic examination is not met, except as
specified in 6.4.3.4.
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
6.4.3.2 Ultrasonic Examination. Ultrasonic
examination shall be performed in accordance with AWS
C3.8M/C3.8, Specification for the Ultrasonic Examina-
tion of Brazed Joints. Ultrasonic examination shall be
performed only when the following configuration and
process criteria are met:
(1) Surface through which the sonic pulse enters the
material shall be parallel to the faying surfaces, and the
assembly must be processed so that all brazing filler
metal runover onto this surface is removed prior to ultra-
sonic inspection. Excess brazing filler metal must not be
on the surfaces through which the ultrasound enters the
test specimen;
(2) A suitable ultrasonic reference standard shall be
available. It shall be identical to the assemblies it repre-
sents with respect to joint configuration, joint clearance,
and brazing filler material. The reference standard shall
have defects of known size and location suitable for cali-
brating the ultrasonic apparatus; and
(3) Ultrasonic apparatus shall produce a joint facsim-
ile suitable for making quantitative measurements of the
percentage of the brazed joint actually bonded and for
documenting the testing of the assembly.
Radiographic examination shall be required when any of
these criteria are not met except as specified in 6.4.3.4.
6.4.3.3 Leak and Pressure Testing of Class A
and Class B Joints. If specified on the engineering
drawing or approved in writing by the Organization Hav-
ing Quality Responsibility, pressure and leak testing to
the following requirements may be substituted for radio-
graphic and ultrasonic examination of Class A and Class
B joints:
(1) Class A joints shall be pressure tested at an inter-
nal pressure and according to procedures specified in
writing by the Organization Having Quality Responsibil-
ity. No measurable leakage shall be allowed. They shall
then be helium leak tested in accordance with the proce-
dure outlined in AWS C3.3, Recommended Practices for
the Design, Manufacture, and Examination of Critical
Brazed Components. Leakage of not more than 3.0
105 cc3/s [2.0 106 in3/s] shall be detected with a suit-
able mass spectrometer leak detector in good working
condition calibrated as specified by its manufacturer; and
(2) Class B joints shall be air pressure tested at an
internal pressure and according to procedures specified
in writing by the Organization Having Quality Responsi-
bility. Class B joints shall be bubble leak tested using a
selected procedure defined in AWS C3.3 or as specified
in writing by the Organization Having Quality Responsi-
bility. No visually detected leaks shall be allowed.
8
NOTE: Internal pressure test fixtures and devices shall
be suitable for the intended purpose and shall be ade-
quately shielded to prevent injury to persons in case of
catastrophic failure during pressure testing.
6.4.3.4 Alternate Examination Techniques. Cer-
tain specialized brazed components may not be inspect-
able using radiographic or ultrasonic techniques and may
be unsuitable for leak or pressure testing in accordance
with 6.4.3.3. In such cases, alternate examination tech-
niques and acceptance limits shall be as specified in writ-
ing by the Organization Having Quality Responsibility.
This organization is responsible for the suitability of the
final product for service and of the selected inspection
techniques to verify the suitability of the brazed joints. If
no such special inspection techniques and acceptance
limits have been specified in writing, all requirements of
this specification shall be met.
6.4.3.5 Fluorescent or Dye Penetrant Examina-
tion. Fluorescent or dye penetrant examination tech-
niques performed in accordance with ASTM E 1417,
Standard Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination,
shall be used only on assemblies in which the brazed
joint has been subjected to machining so as to ensure that
the joint has not been damaged in machining or that
internal voids or lack of bond has not been opened to the
surface. These examination techniques are not suitable
for the inspection of brazed fillets because they routinely
give false results.
6.4.3.6 Other Nondestructive Tests. Additional
nondestructive examination may be required by the
Organization Having Quality Responsibility at its discre-
tion. In such cases, the acceptance criteria shall be
clearly defined in writing by this organization.
6.4.4 Inspection Sampling Plans
6.4.4.1 Class A Joints. Class A Joints require the
inspection of every unit. No sample plans shall be used.
6.4.4.2 Class B Joints. Class B joints shall be
inspected using a sample plan in accordance with ASQ
Z1.4, Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection
by Attributes, and only with the written permission of
the Organization Having Quality Responsibility, provided
the following criteria are met:
(1) Sampling techniques are based upon the assump-
tion that all of the products in a given batch or lot are
identical; and
(2) Proof of such identical processing is therefore a
precondition for the approval of sample inspection plans.
Such proof shall be documented and available to the
Organization Having Quality Responsibility. No opera-
tion critical to the quality of the brazed joint shall be

directly dependent upon the skill or care of an operator,
except when a written record of the actual process variables
controlled by the operator is automatically produced.
When allowed, a random sample shall be selected from
each inspection lot in accordance with ASQ Z1.4 accept-
able quality levels (AQL) 2.5, C = 0 (i.e., no defects) and
inspected in accordance with this specification. Lot sizes
for the purposes of sampling shall consist of all brazed
parts of the same design or kind manufactured using the
same process from identical details, identically prepared
during one continuous period, and submitted for accep-
tance at the same time.
6.4.4.3 Class C Joints. Class C joints may be
inspected using sample plans in accordance with ASQ
Z1.4.
When allowed, a random sample shall be selected from
each inspection lot in accordance with ASQ Z1.4 accept-
able quality levels (AQL) 2.5, C = 0 (i.e., no defects) and
inspected in accordance with this specification. Lot sizes
for the purposes of sampling shall consist of all brazed
parts of the same design or kind manufactured using the
same process from identical details, identically prepared
during one continuous period, and submitted for accep-
tance at the same time.
NOTE: A single batch furnace run is considered one
continuous period.
6.5 Acceptance Criteria. Unless otherwise specified by
the engineering drawing or document referenced by it,
the criteria specified below are the minimum acceptance
criteria for inspection of furnace brazed joints. Any
assembly failing to meet these minimum requirements
shall be rejected.
6.5.1 External Discontinuities
6.5.1.1 Pinholes and Voids. Pinholes, voids, or
brazing filler metal skips are allowed provided they shall
not exceed the limits specified below. Discontinuities of
less than 0.38 mm [0.015 in] are uninterpretable and are
not considered as defects.
Visual inspection of the fillet provides information about
the wetting of the brazing filler metal to the base materi-
als, adequate brazing filler metal volume, and proper
brazing filler metal flow. Fillet voids, pinholes, and braz-
ing filler metal skips are acceptable as long as they do
not extend into the joint proper. Any fillet discontinuity
that extends into the joint proper shall not exceed the
following limits:
(1) Class AMaximum size 2.3 mm [0.090 in] with
a total accumulated length less than 10% of the fillet
length;
9
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
(2) Class BMaximum size 2.3 mm [0.090 in] with
a total accumulated length less than 25% of the fillet
length; and
(3) Class CMaximum size 3.1 mm [0.120 in] with
a total accumulated length less than 50% of the fillet
length.
6.5.1.2 Cracks. Cracks are unacceptable. How-
ever, discontinuities with a major dimension of less than
0.38 mm [0.015 in], which are interpretable, are not
considered defects as long as the assembly meets the
applicable leak criteria and/or pressure test acceptance
criteria.
6.5.1.3 Erosion. Any evidence of braze filler ero-
sion of the exposed base metal surfaces is unacceptable if
the erosion of either member exceeds 5% of the thick-
ness for Class A and 15% for Class B or Class C of the
thinnest component of the brazed joint.
6.5.1.4 Lack of Brazing Filler Metal Melting.
Failure of the brazing filler metal to melt completely is
unacceptable.
6.5.1.5 Edge Voids. For Class A and Class B
joints, no through-voids (i.e., voids that extend through
the entire brazed joint) are acceptable. For Class C,
through voids are acceptable. There must be evidence of
brazing filler metal penetration across the joint. Lack of
such evidence of brazing filler metal penetration is unac-
ceptable. When the assembly configuration makes
inspection of the edge opposite that to which brazing
filler metal was applied impossible, this requirement
shall not apply.
6.5.1.6 Brazing Filler Metal Penetration. If the
edge of the joint opposite that to which the brazing filler
metal is applied is visible after brazing, the brazing filler
metal shall be present at that edge of the joint. Brazing
filler metal discontinuities at this edge are acceptable, as
long as the criteria of 6.5.2 are met. This requirement
shall not apply in cases where the edge of the joint oppo-
site the edge to which filler material is applied is not
accessible for inspection, because of the configuration of
the assembly.
6.5.1.7 Flux or Flux Residue. Evidence of corro-
sive flux or corrosive flux residue is unacceptable (see
5.3.1.2).
6.5.1.8 Quality of Workmanship. The quality of
workmanship shall be such that the assemblies are suit-
able for the intended purpose and that surfaces are free of
excess braze filler material that could interfere with sub-
sequent operations or the function of the product.
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
6.5.2 Internal Discontinuities
6.5.2.1 Class A Joints. Radiographic film or ultra-
sonic facsimiles of Class A joints shall indicate that the
total measured void, or unbonded area, of the joint does
not exceed 15% of the total joint area. The width of the
largest void or unbonded area as measured parallel to the
joint width shall not exceed 60% of the total joint width.
Any such void that is wider than 40% of the width of the
joint shall extend no closer to either edge of the joint than
20% of the joint width.
10
6.5.2.2 Class B Joints. Radiographic film or ultra-
sonic facsimiles of Class B joints shall indicate that the
total measured void, or unbonded area, of the joint does
not exceed 25% of the total joint area. The width of the
largest void, as measured parallel to the joint width, shall
not exceed 70% of the total joint width. Any such area that
is wider than 60% of the joint width or larger shall extend
no closer to either joint edge than 15% of the joint width.
6.5.2.3 Class C Joints. Class C joints have no
internal inspection requirements.
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

Annex A (Informative)
Informative References
This annex is not part of AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008, Specification for
Furnace Brazing, but is included for informational purposes only.

ANSI Z49.1:2005, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied
Processes, American Welding Society.
AWS, 1991, Brazing Handbook, 4th ed., Miami: American
Welding Society.
SAE AMS 2404:1997, Plating, Electroless Nickel, Society
of Automotive Engineers.
SAE AMS 2451/7:2000, Plating, Brush, Nickel Low
Stress, Medium-Hardness Deposit, Society of Auto-
motive Engineers.

11
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

This page is intentionally blank.

12

Annex B (Informative)
Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries
This annex is not part of AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008, Specification for
Furnace Brazing but is included for informational purposes only.
B1. Introduction
The American Welding Society (AWS) Board of Directors
has adopted a policy whereby all official interpretations
of AWS standards are handled in a formal manner.
Under this policy, all interpretations are made by the
committee that is responsible for the standard. Official
communication concerning an interpretation is directed
through the AWS staff member who works with that
committee. The policy requires that all requests for an
interpretation be submitted in writing. Such requests will
be handled as expeditiously as possible, but due to the
complexity of the work and the procedures that must be
followed, some interpretations may require considerable
time.
B2. Procedure
All inquiries shall be directed to:
Managing Director
Technical Services Division
American Welding Society
550 N.W. LeJeune Road
Miami, FL 33126
All inquiries shall contain the name, address, and affilia-
tion of the inquirer, and they shall provide enough infor-
mation for the committee to understand the point of
concern in the inquiry. When the point is not clearly
defined, the inquiry will be returned for clarification. For
efficient handling, all inquiries should be typewritten and
in the format specified below.
B2.1 Scope. Each inquiry shall address one single provi-
sion of the standard unless the point of the inquiry
involves two or more interrelated provisions. The provi-
sion(s) shall be identified in the scope of the inquiry
13
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
along with the edition of the standard that contains the
provision(s) the inquirer is addressing.
B2.2 Purpose of the Inquiry. The purpose of the inquiry
shall be stated in this portion of the inquiry. The purpose
can be to obtain an interpretation of a standards require-
ment or to request the revision of a particular provision
in the standard.
B2.3 Content of the Inquiry. The inquiry should be
concise, yet complete, to enable the committee to under-
stand the point of the inquiry. Sketches should be used
whenever appropriate, and all paragraphs, figures, and
tables (or annex) that bear on the inquiry shall be cited. If
the point of the inquiry is to obtain a revision of the stan-
dard, the inquiry shall provide technical justification for
that revision.
B2.4 Proposed Reply. The inquirer should, as a
proposed reply, state an interpretation of the provision
that is the point of the inquiry or provide the wording for
a proposed revision, if this is what the inquirer seeks.
B3. Interpretation of Provisions of
the Standard
Interpretations of provisions of the standard are made by
the relevant AWS technical committee. The secretary of
the committee refers all inquiries to the chair of the par-
ticular subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the por-
tion of the standard addressed by the inquiry. The
subcommittee reviews the inquiry and the proposed reply
to determine what the response to the inquiry should
be. Following the subcommittees development of the
response, the inquiry and the response are presented to
the entire committee for review and approval. Upon
approval by the committee, the interpretation is an official
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008
interpretation of the Society, and the secretary transmits
the response to the inquirer and to the Welding Journal
for publication.
B4. Publication of Interpretations
All official interpretations will appear in the Welding
Journal and will be posted on the AWS web site.
B5. Telephone Inquiries
Telephone inquiries to AWS Headquarters concerning
AWS standards should be limited to questions of a gen-
eral nature or to matters directly related to the use of the
standard. The AWS Board Policy Manual requires that
all AWS staff members respond to a telephone request
for an official interpretation of any AWS standard with
the information that such an interpretation can be
14
obtained only through a written request. Headquarters
staff cannot provide consulting services. However, the
staff can refer a caller to any of those consultants whose
names are on file at AWS Headquarters.
B6. AWS Technical Committees
The activities of AWS technical committees regarding
interpretations are limited strictly to the interpretation of
provisions of standards prepared by the committees or to
consideration of revisions to existing provisions on the
basis of new data or technology. Neither AWS staff nor
the committees are in a position to offer interpretive or
consulting services on (1) specific engineering problems,
(2) requirements of standards applied to fabrications
outside the scope of the document, or (3) points not
specifically covered by the standard. In such cases, the
inquirer should seek assistance from a competent engi-
neer experienced in the particular field of interest.
 AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

List of AWS Documents on Brazing and Soldering

Designation Title
A2.4 Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination
A3.0 Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, Including Terms for Adhesive Bonding,
Brazing, Soldering, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying
A5.8/A5.8M Specification for Filler Metals for Brazing and Braze Welding
A5.31 Specification for Fluxes for Brazing and Braze Welding
B2.2 Specification for Brazing Procedure and Performance Qualification
C3.2M/C3.2 Standard Method for Evaluating the Strength of Brazed Joints
C3.3 Recommended Practices for Design, Manufacture, and Examination of Critical Brazed
Components
C3.4M/C3.4 Specification for Torch Brazing
C3.5M/C3.5 Specification for Induction Brazing
C3.6M/C3.6 Specification for Furnace Brazing
C3.7M/C3.7 Specification for Aluminum Brazing
C3.8M/C3.8 Recommended Practices for Ultrasonic Inspection of Brazed Joints
C3.9M/C3.9 Specification for Resistance Brazing (Forthcoming)
D10.13 Recommended Practice for the Brazing of Copper Pipe and Tubing for Medical Gas
Systems
BRH Brazing Handbook
SHB Soldering Handbook

15
AWS C3.6M/C3.6:2008

This page is intentionally blank.

16