AWS B2.

4:2012
An American National Standard

Specification for
Welding Procedure
and Performance
Qualification for
Thermoplastics

AWS B2.4:2012
An American National Standard
Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
April 10, 2012

Specification for Welding Procedure and

Performance Qualification for Thermoplastics
2nd Edition

Supersedes AWS B2.4:2006

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) B2 Committee on Welding Qualification
Under the Direction of the
AWS Technical Activities Committee
Approved by the
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This specification provides the requirements for qualification of welding procedure specifications, welders, and welding
operators for manual, semiautomatic, mechanized, and automatic welding. The welding processes included are electrofusion, hot gas, socket fusion, butt contact fusion, infrared, extrusion welding, flow fusion welding, and solvent cement
welding. Base materials, filler materials, qualification variables, and testing requirements are also included.

AWS B2.4:2012

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
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standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of
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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, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.
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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 C).
With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered.
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This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS B2 Committee on Welding Qualification. It must be reviewed
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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 B2 Committee on Welding Qualification 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 B2 Committee on Welding Qualification 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 B2.4:2012

Personnel
AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification
J. J. Fluckiger, Chair
J. L. Cooley, 1st Vice Chair
E. W. Beckman, 2nd Vice Chair
A. Diaz, Secretary
D. M. Allbritten
L. P. Connor
D. W. Craig
W. D. Doty
E. H. Gray
B. J. Hable
M. Herrle
K. G. Kofford
R. A. LaFave
K. Y. Lee
G. S. Michels
A. S. Olivares
J. F. Pike
W. M. Ruof
J. J. Sekely
M. R. Stone
G. M. Wisbrock, Jr.
R. K. Wiswesser

Idaho National Laboratory

J. C. and Associates, Incorporated
International Training Institute
American Welding Society
GE Equipment ServicesRail
Consultant
Computer Engineering, Incorporated
Doty and Associates, Incorporated
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Ford Motor Company
Arise, Incorporated
Idaho National Laboratory
Consultant
U.S. Department of Transportation
Summit Consulting
HSB Global Standards
NASA Langley Research Center
Bechtel Plant Machinery, Incorporated
Welding Services, Incorporated
Canadian Welding Bureau
Consultant
Welder Training and Testing Institute

Advisors to the AWS B2 Committee on Procedure and Performance Qualification

W. L. Ballis
J. D. Duncan
N. K. Kanaya
B. B. MacDonald
A. W. Sindel
C. E. Speader, Jr.
W. J. Sperko
R. F. Waite

Consultant
Consultant
BEAR Testing Laboratory
Consultant
Alstom Power Thermal Systems
Consultant
Sperko Engineering Services
Consultant

AWS B2F Subcommittee on Plastic Welding Qualification

L. T. Hutton, Chair
J. Leary, 1st Vice Chair
G. Hopkins, 2nd Vice Chair
S. P. Hedrick, Secretary
K. Argasinski
R. Basile
M. Callahan
D. Chandler

ARKEMA Incorporated
Widos Welding
Plastek Werks
American Welding Society
Solvay Solexis Incorporated
AB Plastics
United Association Local 290
Engiplast Incorporated

AWS B2.4:2012

AWS B2F Subcommittee on Plastic Welding Qualification (Continued)

J. Craig
P. Demchko
J. J. Fluckiger
S. M Gardiner
D. P. Glavin
B. B. MacDonald
P. F. Martin
G. Sample
J. Sciadini
K. C. Thomas
M. J. Troughton
D. Ziegler
P. Zitkus

McElroy Manufacturing, Incorporated

Solvay Solexis Incorporated
Idaho National Laboratory
IPS Corporation
United Association Local 449
Consultant
United Association
Georg Fischer
Tech South, Incorporated
Quadrant EPP
TWI
Wegener Welding LLC
Wegener Welding LLC

Advisors to the AWS B2F Subcommittee on Plastic Welding Qualification

J. Hessel
R. James
A. Lopez
J. J. Sekely
G. M. Wisbrock, Jr.

Hessel Ingenieurtechnik GmbH

International Training Institute
Dow Chemical
Welding Services, Incorporated
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

vi

AWS B2.4:2012

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel ......................................................................................................................................................................v
Foreword.....................................................................................................................................................................vii
List of Tables.................................................................................................................................................................x
List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................................x
1. Scope and General Provisions .............................................................................................................................1
1.1 Scope ..............................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Responsibilities ..............................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Effective Date.................................................................................................................................................1
1.4 Safety .............................................................................................................................................................2
2. Normative References ..........................................................................................................................................2
3. Terms and Definitions ..........................................................................................................................................3
4. Procedure Qualification .......................................................................................................................................6
4.1 General ...........................................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Welding Procedures Qualified by Employers ................................................................................................6
4.3 Evaluation of Test Weldment/Coupons..........................................................................................................7
4.4 Qualification Thickness Limitations ..............................................................................................................7
4.5 Special Test Weldment/Coupon Acceptance Criteria ....................................................................................9
4.6 Test Weldment/Coupons and Test Evaluation................................................................................................9
4.7 Welding Procedure Specification Data ........................................................................................................23
4.8 Procedure Qualification Variables................................................................................................................25
5. Performance Qualification.................................................................................................................................26
5.1 General .........................................................................................................................................................26
5.2 Qualification by Standard Test.....................................................................................................................28
5.3 Test Weldment/Coupons ..............................................................................................................................28
5.4 Examination Procedures and Acceptance Criteria.......................................................................................29
5.5 Performance Qualification Variables ...........................................................................................................30
6. Examination Structure.......................................................................................................................................31
6.1 Examination Basis Documents ....................................................................................................................31
6.2 Examination Structure..................................................................................................................................31
Annex A (Informative)Recommended Hot Gas Welding Conditions........................................................................33
Annex B (Informative)Sample PQTR and WPS ....................................................................................................35
Annex C (Informative)Guidelines for Preparation of Technical Inquiries .............................................................43

ix

AWS B2.4:2012

List of Tables
Table
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
5.1
5.2
5.3
A.1
A.2

Page No.
Test Methods Required for Procedure Qualification .....................................................................................7
Thickness Limitations for Procedure Qualification .......................................................................................7
Minimum Short Term Weld Factors...............................................................................................................8
Dimensions of Test Arrangement and Test Specimens..................................................................................8
Ram Displacement Corresponding to Bend Angle of 160 in No Failure for Calculation of
the Mean Value...............................................................................................................................................8
Cross-Head Speeds for Some Thermoplastics .............................................................................................12
Symbols and Designations ...........................................................................................................................22
Testing Requirements for Performance Qualification..................................................................................28
Pipe Group Qualification .............................................................................................................................28
Base Material for Performance Qualification ..............................................................................................29
AWS Recommended Welding ConditionsFan Welding (HF) ..................................................................33
AWS Recommended Welding ConditionsSpeed Welding (HS) ..............................................................33

List of Figures
Figure
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
5.1
5.2

Page No.
Preparation of Test Piece (Bend or Tensile Specimens) ................................................................................9
Typical Bevel Profile for Sheet [>0.090 in to 0.50 in (>2.3 mm to 13 mm) in Thickness] .........................10
Typical Bevel Profile for Sheet [>0.50 in (>13 mm) in Thickness].............................................................10
Location of Control Specimens and Tensile Specimens from Pipe Weldment/Coupons ............................11
Cross Sections of Specimen Cut from Pipes................................................................................................11
Geometry of Chamfer ..................................................................................................................................13
Sketch of Test Arrangement.........................................................................................................................14
Schematic Diagram of the Determination of Bend Angle and Ram Displacement.....................................15
Minimum Bend Angle for PE (Density 0.94) ...........................................................................................16
Minimum Bend Angle for PP-B and PP-H ..................................................................................................16
Minimum Bend Angle for PP-R ..................................................................................................................17
Minimum Bend Angle for PVC-U (Unplasticized) .....................................................................................17
Minimum Bend Angle for PVDF.................................................................................................................18
Minimum Ram Displacement for PE (Density 0.94) ................................................................................18
Minimum Ram Displacement for PP-B/PP-H .............................................................................................19
Minimum Ram Displacement for PP-R .......................................................................................................19
Minimum Ram Displacement for PVC-U (Unplasticized)..........................................................................20
Minimum Ram Displacement for PVDF .....................................................................................................20
Test Preparation for Waisted Specimens......................................................................................................21
Performance Qualification Method for Standard Test .................................................................................26
Location of Horizontal and Vertical Positions Bend Specimens Blanks .....................................................30

AWS B2.4:2012

Specification for Welding Procedure and

Performance Qualification for Thermoplastics
1. Scope and General Provisions
1.1 Scope. This standard provides the requirements for qualification for welding thermoplastic materials. It addresses
requirements for procedure and performance qualifications. This standard is intended for use where referenced by product or fabrication code, specification, contract document, or internal documents such as quality control or quality assurance manuals. The requirements imposed by the Referencing Document supersede the requirements of this standard.
This standard is intended for use with the following thermoplastic welding processes:
Socket Fusion Welding (SFW)
Heated Tool Butt Welding (HT)
Flow Fusion Welding (FFW)
Electrofusion Welding (EFW)
Infrared Welding (IRW)
Hot Gas Welding (HGW)
Speed Welding (HS)
Fan Welding (HF)
Extrusion Welding (EX)
Solvent Cement Welding (SCW)
This standard is intended for use with new construction but may be applicable for retrofit, reconstruction, or repair procedures. Thermoplastic applications that are bonded to backing materials are not addressed in this standard.
This standard makes sole use of U.S. Customary Units. Approximate mathematical equivalents in the International System of Units (SI) are provided for comparison in parentheses or in appropriate columns in tables and figures.
1.2 Responsibilities
1.2.1 Employers shall be responsible for the welding performed by their organization, including the use of the general
provisions of this standard, the use of qualified welding procedures, the use of qualified welders, and the use of qualified
welding operators.
1.2.2 It is the employers responsibility to assure that Welding Procedure Specifications meet all requirements of the
Referencing Document.
1.3 Effective Date. When not otherwise specified by the Referencing Document, the edition of this specification to be
used should be established in accordance with the following:
(1) Editions may be used at any time after the effective date of issue;
(2) Latest edition of this document should be used for new contracts; and
(3) Editions established by contract date may be used during the entire term of the contract, or the provisions of later
editions may be used when agreed upon by the contracting parties.