AWS C3.3:2008R2016

This standard lists the necessary steps to assure the suitability of brazed components for critical applications. Although such applications vary widely, they have certain common considerations with respect to materials, design, manufacture, and inspection. It is the intent of this document to identify and explain these common considerations and the best techniques for dealing with them. It is beyond the scope of this document to provide specific details on these techniques, which the user must adapt to fit each particular application.
Scope : 1.1 Scope. These recommended practices encompass those procedures that should be followed in the design, manufacture, and examination of brazed joints for critical components in order to assure their reliability in service. The procedures recommended represent the best current practice and are necessary to the control of brazed joint quality. These practices are applicable to all products and brazing processes. Whenever any or some of these practices are omitted when producing critical components, the omission should be the result of a rational decision, not the result of a lack of knowledge of the best practice. This document is divided into clauses addressing materials, design, manufacturing, and examination. These clauses are followed by Annex A, which presents a list of informative references; Annex B, which presents sample specifications that are intended as guides for the preparation of the userâ??s documents; Annex C, which presents a discussion of brazing risk management; Annex D, which presents a table relating to the quantification of the scope and magnitude of braze-induced discontinuities; Annex E, which presents systematic criteria for design of brazed components; and Annex F, which presents guidelines for the requesting of an official interpretation of an AWS standard.1.2 Units of Measurement. This standard does not require units of measure. Therefore, no equivalents or conversions are contained except when they are cited in examples. 1.3 Safety. Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard; some safety and health information is provided, but such issues are not fully addressed herein. Safety and Health information is available from the following sources: American Welding Society: (1) ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes (2) AWS Brazing Handbook (3) AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets (4) Other safety and health information on the AWS website Material or Equipment Manufacturers: (1) Safety Data Sheets supplied by the materials manufacturers (2) Operating Manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers Applicable Regulatory Agencies: (1) United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) (2) Equivalent agencies of other countries and individual states Work performed in accordance with this standard may involve the use of materials that have been deemed hazardous, and may involve operations or equipment that may cause injury or death. This standard does not purport to address all safety and health risks that may be encountered. The user of this standard should establish an appropriate safety program to AWS C3.3:2008 (R2016) address such risks as well as to meet applicable regulatory requirements. ANSI Z49.1 should be considered when developing the safety program.