You are on page 1of 14

TGN-SG03

Weld Australia
Technical Guidance Note

AS/NZS 2980: A
Summary of Changes

www.weldaustralia.com.au
Foreword
This Technical Guidance Note contains basic information relevant to the qualification of welders using AS/NZS 2980
for structural applications. It is designed to be read in conjunction with the standard, and, to assist users in the
transition from the 2007 edition to the 2018 of the standard.

Future Revisions
This Technical Guidance Note will be revised from time to time and comments aimed at improving its value to
industry will be welcome. This publication is copyright and extracts from this publication shall not be reprinted or
published without the Publisher’s express consent.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made and all reasonable care taken to ensure the accuracy of the material contained
herein, the authors, editors and publishers of this publication shall not be held to be liable or responsible in any way
whatsoever and expressly disclaim any liability or responsibility for any loss or damage costs or expenses howsoever
caused incurred by any person whether the purchaser of this work or otherwise including but without in any way
limiting any loss or damage costs or expenses incurred as a result of or in connection with the reliance whether
whole or partial by any person as aforesaid upon any part of the contents of this Technical Guidance Note. Should
expert assistance be required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

Editor
Mr Bruce Cannon
Technical Publications Manager, Weld Australia

Weld Australia
ABN 69 003 696 526
Building 3, Level 3, Pymble Corporate Centre
20 Bridge Street, Pymble, NSW 2073
PO Box 197, Macquarie Park BC, NSW 1670
Phone: +61 (0)2 8748 0100
www.weldaustralia.com.au

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 2
About Weld Australia
Who We Are
Weld Australia represents the welding profession in Australia. Our members are made up of individual welding
professionals and companies of all sizes. Weld Australia members are involved almost every facet of Australian
industry and make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.

Our primary goal is to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains both locally and globally competitive, both
now and into the future.

A not-for-profit, membership-based organisation, Weld Australia is dedicated to providing our members with a
competitive advantage through access to industry, research, education, certification, government, and the wider
industrial community.

Weld Australia is the Australian representative member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).

Our Mission
Our mission is to represent the interests of members and safeguard the public by ensuring the integrity of
in-service welds, and to promote the use of best practice technology and quality systems.

Our Value Proposition


Weld Australia generates revenue through its commercial activities which is then reinvested back into the welding
community for the benefit of members.

Weld Australia brings individual and company members together to deliver:


• A forum for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of resources
• A voice to promote the interests of the welding community and shape the market for welding services
• Specialist technical problem solving and a conduit between industry and research organisations
• A pathway for learning and career development and the opportunity to benchmark against world’s
best practice

Our Services
Weld Australia provides:
• Events and Seminars
• Technical Publications
• Technical Support and Advisory Services
• Project Management
• Professional Development
• Qualification and Certification

Real Solutions to Real Problems…


Weld Australia has a team of highly qualified welding engineers and technologists available to provide expert
advisory services on all welding related matters. With expertise in a wide range of industries, ranging from
biotechnology to heavy engineering we have a unique capability to solve your welding problems.

Our advice can help you substantially increase the operational life of your plant and equipment and thereby reduce
your maintenance and repair overheads.

Further Information
For further information about Weld Australia and how we can help your business, please visit:
www.weldaustralia.com.au.

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 3
AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes
1.0 Introduction
In 2018, AS/NZS 2980 Qualification of welders for fusion welding of steels was revised and published by Standards
Australia. This edition of the standard now draws heavily on the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 Qualification
testing of welders — Fusion welding — Part 1: Steels upon which it is based, and in most requirements, is now
identical.

Unfortunately, due to copyright restrictions, the original text from ISO 9606-1 could not be reproduced within
the standard, meaning that AS/NZS 2980:2018 Qualification of welders for fusion welding of steels—Additional
requirements for Australian and New Zealand only contains text and requirements that vary from the original ISO
document. The 2007 edition of AS/NZS 2980 whilst being based on ISO requirements at the time of publication was
not identical although many of the ISO principles within were followed.

It is anticipated that as the original ISO standard is improved, Australia will adopt the changes and as a
consequence, it is likely that in the medium term AS/NZS 2980 will be superseded by AS/NZS ISO 9606-1.

2.0 History
AS/NZS 2980 was originally published as AS 2980 in 1987 and its contents were based on the welder qualification
requirements of the American Welding Society’s AWS D1.1 Structural welding code—Steel. A limitation of the
standard at the time was that it was not suited for qualifying welders on light gauge steels. In 2004, the standard was
revised taking cognisance of ISO 9606-1, and addressing these limitations.

Following a request from New Zealand, the standard was co jointed in 2007 allowing New Zealand to progressively
withdraw two of its aging welder qualification standards, NZS 4711 and NZS 4703. The contents of NZS 4703 have
been retained within a normative appendix of AS/NZS 2980 to provide a specific welder qualification test utilised by
the New Zealand dairy industry.

NZS 4711 had a similar approach to the 2004 edition of AS 2980 in that both standards allowed for a 2 year
validation period, simplifying the standards jointing process and allowing the NZS 4711 qualifications to be validated
(prolonged) as defined within AS/NZS 2980:2007.

In 2012, ISO completed its revision of ISO 9606-1, taking cognisance of the objections to earlier drafts by countries
including Australia, Canada, and the USA. Whilst some of the changes included in ISO 9606-1:2012 were included
within AS/NZS 2980:2007, other significant changes were made by ISO and are published within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1
and AS/NZS 2980:2018.

The followings sections describe the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018, making reference
to the key differences of the 2007 edition of AS/NZS 2980.

3.0 General
AS/NZS 2980:2018 and AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 are closely aligned for most of their core requirements.
AS/NZS 2980:2018 includes an informative Appendix (Appendix A) which provides guidance to the user on the
application of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 for Australian and New Zealand conditions.

AS/NZS 2980:2018 defers to AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 for the bulk of its requirements other than in the following instances:
1. Australian standards or Australian/New Zealand standards (including AS/NZS ISO standards) listed may be
directly substituted for the referenced ISO standards;
2. Welder qualifications for welds in structural steel (Appendix B) – Imperfection and test methods have been
retained in modified form from the 2007 edition;
3. Welder qualification test for the New Zealand dairy industry (Appendix C) has been retained in modified form.

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 4
3.1 Terminology
The terminology used in the standards is ISO based and similar in most respects to that used in the 2007 edition of
AS/NZS 2980. Primary differences are:
1. The generic term gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is used in Australia in lieu of ISO’s metal inert gas (MIG) with a
solid wire or metal active gas (MAG) with a solid wire.
Notes:
1. The term MIG is commonly used in Australia irrespective of the shielding gas type used.
2. Active gases include carbon dioxide (CO2) or argon (Ar) with additions of CO2 and/or oxygen (O2).
2. The term flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is used in Australia in lieu of the ISO’s use of tubular cored arc welding
or MAG welding with a flux cored arc electrode.
3. The generic term gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is used in Australia in lieu of ISO’s tungsten inert gas (TIG).
Note: The term TIG is also commonly used in Australia.

4.0 Essential Variables and Range of Qualification


In most respects, the essential variables remain similar across the standards with the exception that the Material
group variable has been replaced by the Filler material group giving the user a broader range of qualification within
AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018. A change in arc transfer characteristics (not present in
ISO 9606-1:1994) also applies across the standards consistent with Australian and North American practice.

There are some significant changes in the range of qualifications applicable within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and
AS/NZS 2980:2018 compared with that previously specified within AS/NZS 2980:2007.

4.1 Welding Processes


The welding processes applicable to AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018 have been expanded beyond
those originally specified within ISO 9606-1:1994 but remain restricted to those where the welding torch (or electrode
holder) can be manipulated by the welder. Whilst AS/NZS 2980:2007 referenced the automated processes such as
submerged arc (SAW) and electroslag (ESW) in keeping with previous editions of AS 2980, AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and
AS/NZS 2980:2018 refer to ISO 14732 for the qualification of operators of automated processes.

Joints may be welded as single process or multi process joints in all standards. In multi process joints, each process
also qualifies as individual single process joints based on the thickness of weld metal deposited for each process.
Single process joints may also be used in combination to qualify multi process joints.

4.2 Product Type


Two types of product are included within the standards, these being plate (including angles and rolled sections) and
pipe (including rolled hollow sections and tubulars).

4.3 Type of Weld


The standards describe three types of welds – butt welds, fillet welds and branch connections. Whilst welders who
qualified on butt welds were also deemed qualified to weld fillet welds in AS/NZS 2980 in keeping with European
and ISO practice at the time, this allowance was withdrawn in ISO standards in 2012 due to observed difficulties by
welders qualified for butt welds achieving root penetration in fillet welds.

AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018 provides two options for welders to qualify for a butt weld in
combination with a fillet weld, these being either:

a) Welding a 3-pass fillet in the joint shown below prior to completion of the butt joint; or

b) Welding a supplementary fillet weld test piece in the PB (i.e. HV or 2F) position.

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 5
4.4 Filler Material Groupings
A major change incorporated within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018 was the change from a parent
material based grouping as used within AS/NZS 2980:2007, to a 6-tier filler material system providing the welder with
the opportunity to access a broader range of qualification based upon consumable useability factors. The groups are:
• FM1 – Non-alloy and fine grain steels
• FM2 – High-strength steels
• FM3 – Creep-resisting steels Cr < 3.75%
• FM4 – Creep resisting steels 3.75 ≤ Cr ≤ 12%
• FM5 – Stainless and heat-resisting allows
• FM6 – Nickel and nickel alloys

4.5 Filler Material Types


Range of qualification types remains unchanged from that published within AS/NZS 2980:2007. Specifically:
• Cellulosic covered consumables qualifies cellulosic coverings only
• Rutile and other non-basic coverings qualifies all non basic coverings (except cellulosic coverings)
• Basic covering qualifies for all coverings other than cellulosic
• Solid wire (and rod) qualifies for solid wire and metal cored wire and vice versa.
• Rutile and other non-basic cored electrodes qualifies all non basic cored electrodes
• Basic cored electrode qualifies for all other cored electrodes (other than metal core)

4.6 Dimensions
The basis of thickness range qualified has changed from the thickness of material welded within AS/NZS 2980:2007
to the thickness of weld metal deposited within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018. The actual ranges
qualified remain largely unchanged. This change provides better clarity around the range qualified particularly for
multi process joints and for incomplete penetration butt welds for example.

4.7 Welding Positions


The weld positions qualified have been modified from that published in AS/NZS 2980:2007. Whilst the fillet weld
positions qualified are largely unchanged within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018, overhead butt welds
(position PE or 4G) no longer qualify vertical up (PF or 3G) welds. Likewise, butt and fillet welded joints require
separate qualification.

4.8 Weld Details


Qualifications regarding backing materials have been expanded from the limited options within AS/NZS 2980:2007 to
now include options for gas backing, consumable inserts and flux backing within AS/NZS 2980:2018 and
AS/NZS ISO 9606-1.

Range of qualification based on layer technique for fillet welds remains unchanged.

4.9 Examination & Testing


4.9.1 Examination
The examination requirements within AS/NZS 2980:2018 (and AS/NZS ISO 9606-1) in terms of supervision and
general requirements remains similar to those within AS/NZS 2980:2007.

4.9.2 Test Pieces


Minimum test piece length for butt welds in plates has decreased from ≥ 300mm within AS/NZS 2980:2007 to
≥ 200mm for AS/NZS 2980:2018 and AS/NZS ISO 9606-1. The change in length from that in the 2007 edition
of AS/NZS 2980 is due to the longer length of test piece typically associated with the use of automatic and fully
mechanised welding processes. A longer length may be used if required (or specified). Test piece requirements for
fillet welded joints and pipe joints remains unchanged from that originally published within AS/NZS 2980:2007.

4.9.3 Welding Conditions


All standards require that the test weld be made by the welder following a suitably qualified weld procedure (WPS), or
draft procedure (pWPS), provided that the latter is successfully qualified in conjunction with the weld test. Whilst

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 6
AS/NZS 2980:2007 is primarily aligned with the requirements of the AS/NZS 1554 series of standards (unless
otherwise specified), AS/NZS 2980:2018 and AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 requires that the procedure be prepared in
accordance with ISO 15609-1 or ISO 15609-2. This does not necessarily require the procedure to be qualified
to ISO standards, rather these ISO standards specify the parameters that must be recorded on the WPS once
qualified. Provided that the procedure being followed by the welder contains all requirements needed by the welder
to reproduce the weld as specified within the appropriate application standard (e.g. AS/NZS 3992, AS/NZS 1554.1
etc), the only additional parameters that need to be reported are the parent material group numbers (including sub-
group numbers) set out within ISO/TR 15608, and the welding process numbers as these details are recorded on the
welders certificate of test. To assist users of AS/NZS 2980, an informative appendix containing the ISO/TR 15608
based group numbers of common steels welded in Australia is included in the standard.

4.9.4 Test Methods


Test requirements specified remain unchanged across the standards and are summarised as follows:
a. Butt welds:
• VT + RT; or,
Note: If RT used with GMAW, FCAW (metal core only) or oxy-acetylene processes, additional bend or fracture tests
required (Cl 6.5.2.4).
• VT + UT (≥ 8mm ferritic steel only); or,
• VT + bend tests; or,
• VT + fracture tests; or,
• VT + notched tensile test (pipe with OD ≤25mm only).
b. Fillet and branch welds:
• VT + fracture tests; or,
• VT + macros; or;
• VT + RT (pipe only).
Notes:
1. The Australian test methods for bend testing, fracture testing, macro testing and visual examination (VT), are similar to the ISO
methods specified within AS/NZS ISO 9606-1, and provide similar technical outcomes. In some cases, the ISO test methods
provide for alternative test details not available under AS 2205 or other test methodologies.
2. For radiographic (RT) and ultrasonic (UT) examinations, the specified ISO methods must be utilised if the weld procedure being
followed by the welder is qualified to ISO standards. If the procedure was qualified to standards such as AS/NZS 1554.1,
AS/NZS 3992 or other Australian standards then the Australian RT or UT test method must be used.

The appropriate standard for the method of test will vary. In most cases, the AS 2205 Method for destructive testing
of welds in metal series tests should be utilised where AS/NZS 2980 (2007 and 2018 editions) are being followed.

Where radiography or ultrasonic examination is required, the acceptance requirements for imperfections associated
with the specified weld test acceptance criteria must be followed. For example, if either AS/NZS 1554.1 or
AS/NZS 3992 is specified, the Australian non destructive test methods referenced within must be used. If ISO 5817
is specified for test acceptance, then the ISO non destructive test methods referenced within ISO 9606-1 must be
used.

4.10 Acceptance Requirements


Default test acceptance criteria within each of the standards are as follows unless otherwise specified:
1. AS/NZS 2980:2007 – Requirements based on AS/NZS 1554.1 and AWS D1.1.
2. AS/NZS 2980:2018 – Requirements based on AS/NZS 1554.1 and AWS D1.1.
3. AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 – Requirements based on ISO 5817.

All of the above standards allow alternative acceptance criteria when specified. For example, AS/NZS ISO 9606-1
can utilise AS/NZS 1554.1 for structural applications, and as specified within AS/NZS 3992 for pressure equipment
applications.

4.11 Re-tests
Whilst AS/NZS 2980:2007 is silent on the retests in the event of a weld test failure, AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 (and similarly
AS/NZS 2980:2018) allows for the welder to repeat the test once without additional training.

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 7
4.12 Period of Validity
4.12.1 Confirmation of Validity
All standards provide a method of confirmation of validity every six months and in all cases, the basic requirements
are similar. The period of validity may be extended every six months up to the limits as indicated below. Extending
the period of validity every six months is also consistent with the requirements of application standards such as the
AS/NZS1554 series and AS/NZS 3992.

4.12.2 Revalidation/Prolongation of Qualification


AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018 offer three methods of revalidation of the welder’s certificate of test,
with AS/NZS 2980:2007 offering only one method. In summary, the methods are:
1. The welder’s qualification certificate of test remains valid for up to three years after which the welder must
be retested.
2. The welder’s qualification certificate of test remains valid for up to two years. To revalidate the certificate,
two welds produced in the previous 6 months must be tested as per the original requirements, reproducing
the original test conditions other than thickness and pipe outside diameter.
Note: A similar method was used within AS/NZS 2980:2007 that did not require the original position of test to be reproduced.
3. The welder’s qualification test is valid indefinitely provided that the certificate is reconfirmed every six
months, the employers quality program is verified as compliant with ISO 3834-2 or ISO 3834-3, and the
welder has not changed employer.

4.13 Welder’s Qualification Test Certificate


All standards require a certificate of test to be issued the welder. An electronic certificate is also acceptable.
Requirements that need to be specified are similar however the format used is at the discretion of the examining body.

Usually only one certificate is issued per test, but in the case of a multi process joint, certificates for each process
may be issued as well as the certificate for the joint as a whole.

4.14 Designation
AS/NZS 2980:2007 did not include the option to generate a qualification designation as computerised systems for
welder qualifications were not widely available in Australia at the time. Whilst a designation can easily be generated
if required, AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 and AS/NZS 2980:2018 requires that the designation be recorded on the welder’s
certificate of test. The designation enables the certificate reviewer to ascertain the basis of qualification of the
welder from the coding used, or alternatively, it enables the fabricator to rapidly search for welders with specific
attributes of test.

4.15 Job Knowledge


Job knowledge requirements across all standards are optional, and are similar in terms of syllabus items.
AS/NZS 2980:2007 does not define the syllabus other than to state that welders who have successfully completed
the AS 1796 theory examination are deemed to comply.

Whilst AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 (and by reference and AS/NZS 2980:2018) defines the syllabus items within its Annex B,
these items remain consistent with the AS 1796 theory syllabus competency requirements.

5.0 Transition Requirements


Welders who have valid AS/NZS 2980:2007 qualification test certificates are able to transition to either
AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 or AS/NZS 2980:2018 when prolongation (or validation) falls due. The following apply:
1. AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 (and AS/NZS 2980:2018) allows welders to transition directly from national standards
however the terms and conditions of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 apply for the transition process. In situations
where the welder may not have had two welds tested that reproduce the original weld test conditions
(excluding thickness and pipe diameter (where relevant)), it may be simpler (and cheaper) for the fabricator
to simply opt to retest the welder.
2. Welders qualified to weld both butt and fillet welds under AS/NZS 2980:2007 will need undertake a fillet
weld test to maintain both the fillet and butt weld qualifications, unless the welder can demonstrate the
ability to satisfactorily produce fillet welds from those produced and tested in the previous six months – see
item 1 above.

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 8
3. In cases where the welder qualifications are transitioning from AS/NZS 2980:2007, fabricators who are
required to routinely radiograph or ultrasonically examine their welds may prefer to remain with the two
year validation method, or, in all other cases, transition to the three year retest method during the transition
period irrespective of the application of AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 or AS/NZS 2980:2018.

6.0 Summary
Essential variables and significant changes to major items for the standards are summarised in Table 1.

7.0 References
Standards referenced in this note include the following:
1. AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors
2. AS 2205 Method for destructive testing of welds in metal
3. AS 2980:1987 Qualification of arc welders for welding of steels
4. AS/NZS 2980:2007 Qualification of welders for fusion welding of steels
5. AS/NZS 2980:2018 Qualification of welders for fusion welding of steels — Additional requirements for
Australian and New Zealand
6. AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding — Part 1: Steels
7. AS/NZS 3992 Pressure equipment—Welding and brazing qualification
8. NZS 4703 Welder qualification tests for stainless steel pipe for the dairy industry
9. NZS 4711 Qualification tests for metal arc welders
10. AWS D1.1 Structural welding code—Steel
11. ISO 5817 Welding — Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding excluded)
— Quality levels for imperfections
12. ISO 9606-1:2012 Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding — Part 1: Steels
13. ISO 14732 Welding personnel — Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters for mechanized
and automatic welding of metallic materials
14. ISO 15609-1 Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding
procedure specification — Part 1: Arc welding
15. ISO 15609-2 Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding
procedure specification — Part 1: Gas welding
16. ISO/TR 15608 Welding — Guidelines for a metallic materials grouping system

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 9
Table 1: Summary of essential variables and main changes

Variable AS/NZS 2980:2007 AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 & AS/NZS 2980:2018


Welding process Processes include: Changes are:
• GMAW, GTAW, MMAW, FCAW, PAW, OW • FCAW (metal core) added, additional GTAW variants
• Mechanised SAW • Part mechanised SAW only
• ESW, EGW • ESW, EGW removed
Arc transfer characteristics Change in arc transfer mode Short arc qualifies other modes but not vice versa
Multi process joint • Root process qualifies, root process and fill/cap process No change
qualifies as ssmb; both in combination and singly
• Two single process as per above qualify in combination
Product type Plate & pipe (tube) No change

Type of weld • Butt welds qualify all types except branch welds • Butt welds qualify all butt welds except branch welds
• Butt welds qualify butt and fillet welds • Options to qualify butt and fillet welds at the same time
• Fillet welds qualify fillet welds • Fillet welds qualify fillet welds
• Special welds option • Special weld option
Material groups • Qualification linked to material groups • Not essential variable
• 11 basic groups based on ISO/TR 15608 • Record details of material welded on certificate of test
Filler material group Not an essential variable • Six groups FM1 to FM6, based on composition
• Groups with similar or better useability qualifies for similar or
more useable types
Filler material type • MMAW – cellulosic qualifies cellulosic only No change
• Basic types qualifies basic, rutile and variants
• Rutile and variants qualifies rutile and variants
• Solid wire and metal core qualifies solid wire and metal core
Dimensions Butt joints – plate thickness Butt joints – deposited metal thickness
• <3mm qualifies t to 2t • <3mm qualifies greater of s to 3mm or s to 2s
• 3 to 12mm qualifies 3 to 2t • 3 to 12mm qualifies 3 to 2s
• ≥12mm qualifies ≥3mm • ≥12mm qualifies ≥3mm
Pipe Pipe
• ≤25Ø qualifies D to 2D • ≤25Ø qualifies D to 2D
• >25Ø qualifies ≥0.5D (25mm minimum) • >25Ø qualifies ≥0.5D (25mm minimum)
Fillet welds (plate thickness) Fillet welds (plate thickness)
• <3mm qualifies t to 2t • <3mm qualifies t to 2t
• ≥3mm qualifies ≥3mm • ≥3mm qualifies ≥3mm

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 10
Table 1: Summary of essential variables and main changes (continued)

Variable AS/NZS 2980:2007 AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 & AS/NZS 2980:2018


Welding position • OH (PE) qualifies all except VD (PG) • OH (PE) + VU (PF) or H-L045 qualifies all butt position
• Other positions provided including pipe, fixed and rotated • OH (PD or PE) fillet qualifies all fillets except VU (PF) & VD (PG)
Note: Positions as per AS 3545 • VU (PF) fillet qualifies F (PA), HV (PB) and VU (PF) fillets
• VD (PG) fillet qualifies VD (PG) fillet only
• Pipe positions simplified
Weld details • Backing options limited to single sides and material backing • Backing options expanded to include ceramic, flux, gas
• Single layer fillet only qualifies single layer fillet. Multilayer backings and consumable inserts.
qualifies multilayer and single layer • Single layer fillet only qualifies single layer fillet. Multilayer
qualifies multilayer and single layer
Test method options Based on ISO options but uses AS 2205 and Australian RT and UT • Both standards use same options as AS/NZS 2980:2007
methods • AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 test methods ISO based. Australian RT and
UT methods used if Australian acceptance criteria specified.
• AS/NZS 2980:2018 uses AS 2205 and Australian RT and UT
methods
Acceptance criteria Based on AWS D1.1 unless otherwise specified • AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 – ISO unless specified otherwise
• AS/NZS 2980:2018 as per AS/NZS 2980:2007 unless specified
otherwise
Retests Not considered Retest once without additional training if failed
Period of validity • 2 years – validity prolonged based on 2 tests reproducing 3 options:
original conditions other than position, thickness and pipe OD. • 3 years – retest required
• Requires confirmation every 6 months • 2 years - validity prolonged based on 2 tests reproducing
• Welder may change employer original conditions other than thickness and pipe OD
• Indefinite if employer’s quality program verified to AS/NZS ISO
3834 2 or AS/NZS ISO 3834 3
• All options require confirmation every six months
• Welder may change employer other than for indefinite option

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 11
Weld Australia Technical Notes
TN 1 - The Weldability of Steels
Gives guidance on the preheat and heat input conditions (run size, current, voltage) required for acceptable welds
and to avoid cold cracking in a wide variety of steels. The Note is applicable to a wide range of welding processes.

TN 2 - Successful Welding of Aluminium


This note covers the major welding processes as they are used for the welding and repair of aluminium and its alloys.
Information is given on the processes, equipment, consumables and techniques. It also provides information on the
range of alloys available and briefly covers safety, quality assurance, inspection and testing, costing and alternative
joining processes.

TN 3 - Care and Conditioning of Arc Welding Consumables


Gives the basis and details for the correct care, storage and conditioning of welding consumables to control
hydrogen and to ensure high quality welding.

TN 4 - The Industry Guide to Hardfacing for the Control of Wear


Describes wear mechanisms and gives guidance on the selection of hardfacing consumables and processes for a
wide range of applications. Includes Australian Hardfacing Suppliers Compendium 1998.

TN 5 - Flame Cutting of Steels


Gives a wealth of practical guidance on flame cutting including detailed procedures for efficient cutting, selection of
equipment and gases, practices for identifying and curing defective cutting, methods of maximising economy and
other important guidance on the use of steels with flame cut surfaces.

TN 6 - Control of Lamellar Tearing


Describes the features and mechanisms of this important mode of failure and the means of controlling tearing
through suitable design, material selection, fabrication and inspection. Acceptance standards, repair methods,
specification requirements and methods of investigation are proposed. Four appendices give details on the
mechanism, material factors, tests for susceptibility and the important question of restraint.

TN 7 - Health and Safety in Welding


Provides information on all aspects of health and safety in welding and cutting. Designed to provide this information
in such a way that it is readily useable for instruction in the shop and to provide guidance to management.
Recommendations are given for safe procedures to be adopted in a wide variety of situations in welding fabrication.

TN 8 - Economic Design of Weldments


Principles and guidance are given on methods and procedures for optimising design of weldments and welded joints
and connections to maximise economy in welding fabrication. Factors influencing the overall cost of weldments
which need to be considered at the design stage are discussed.

TN 9 - Welding Rate in Arc Welding Processes: Part 1 MMAW


Gives practical guidance and information on the selection of welding conditions to improve productivity during manual
metal arc welding (MMAW). Graphs are provided showing rates as a function of weld size. The graphs enable a direct
comparison of different types of welding electrodes when used for butt and fillet welds in various welding positions.

TN 10 - Fracture Mechanics
Provides theory and gives practical guidance for the design and fabrication of structures, planning of maintenance
and assessment of the likelihood of brittle or ductile initiation from flaws in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
Engineering critical assessment case histories are discussed.

TN 11 - Commentary on the Structural Steel Welding Standard AS/NZS 1554


The Note complements AS/NZS 1554 parts 1 to 7, by presenting background information which could not be

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 12
included in the Standard. It discusses the requirements of the Standard with particular emphasis on new or revised
clauses. In explaining the application of the Standard to welding in steel construction, the commentary emphasises
the need to rely on the provisions of the Standard to achieve satisfactory weld quality.

TN 12 - Minimising Corrosion in Welded Steel Structures


Designed to provide practical guidance and information on corrosion problems associated with the welding of steel
structures, together with possible solutions for minimising corrosion.

TN 13 - Stainless Steels for Corrosive Environments (A Joint publication with ACA)


Provides guidance on the selection of stainless steels for different environments. Austenitic, ferritic and martensitic
stainless steels are described together with the various types of corrosive attack. Aspects of welding procedure,
design, cleaning and maintenance to minimise corrosion are covered.

TN 15 - Welding and Fabrication of Quenched and Tempered Steel


Provides information on quenched and tempered steels generally available in Australia and gives guidance on welding
processes, consumables and procedures and on the properties and performance of welded joints. Information is also
provided on other fabrication operations such as flame cutting, plasma cutting, shearing and forming.

TN 16 - Welding Stainless Steel


This Technical Note complements Technical Note Number 13 by detailing valuable information on the welding of
most types of stainless steels commonly used in industry.

TN 18 - Welding of Castings
Provides basic information on welding procedures for the welding processes used to weld and repair ferrous and
non-ferrous castings. It also provides information on the range of alloys available and briefly covers non-destructive
inspection, on-site heating methods and safety.

TN 19 - Cost Effective Quality Management for Welding


Provides guidelines on the application of the AS/NZS ISO 9000 series of Quality Standards within the welding and
fabrication industries. Guidance on the writing, development and control of Welding Procedures is also given.

TN 20 - Repair of Steel Pipelines


Provides an outline of methods of assessment and repair to a pipeline whilst allowing continuity of supply.

TN 21 - Submerged Arc Welding


Provides an introduction to submerged arc welding equipment, process variables, consumables, procedures and
techniques, characteristic weld defects, applications and limitations. Describes exercises to explore the range of
procedures and techniques with the use of solid wire (single and multiple arcs) and provides welding practice sheets,
which may be used as instruction sheets to supplement demonstrations and class work, or as self-instruction units.

TN 22 - Welding Electrical Safety


Provides information and guidance on welding electrical safety issues: welding equipment, the body and the workplace.

TN 23 - Environmental Improvement Guidelines


Provides information and guidance on how to reduce consumption in the Welding and Fabrication industry, while
reducing the impact on the environment at the same time.

TN 25 – Welding Specification for the Water Industry


Published with the Water Services Association of Australia. Applies to all metal fabrication and repair work involving
welding, carried out by a Water Agency (WA) and its Contractors/Subcontractors. Prescribes weld preparation,
qualification of welding procedures and personnel, workmanship and inspection requirements for welds related to the
arc welding by manual metal arc and other processes approved by the WA responsible Welding Coordinator.

Weld Australia Technical Guidance Note | AS/NZS 2980: A Summary of Changes | © 2018 13
Weld Australia
ABN 69 003 696 526
Building 3, Level 3, Pymble Corporate Centre
20 Bridge Street, Pymble, NSW 2073
PO Box 197, Macquarie Park BC, NSW 1670
Phone: +61 (0)2 8748 0100
www.weldaustralia.com.au

You might also like