ASME 831.
3-2022
gas metal-arc welding (GMA W): an arc-welding process
that produces coalescence of metals by heating them
with an arc between a continuous filler metal (consum­
able) electrode and the work. Shielding is obtained
entirely from an externally supplied gas, or gas
mixture. Some variations of this process are called MIG
or C0 2 welding (nonpreferred terms).
gas tungsten-arc welding (GTA W): an arc-welding process
that produces coalescence of metals by heating them with
an arc between a single tungsten (nonconsumable) elec­
trode and the work. Shielding is obtained from a gas or gas
mixture. Pressure may or may not be used and filler metal
may or may not be used. (This process has sometimes been
called TIG welding.)
gas welding: a group of welding processes wherein coales­
cence is produced by heating with a gas flame or flames,
with or without the application of pressure, and with or
without the use of filler material.
groove weld: a weld made in the groove between two
members to be joined.
heat-affected zone: that portion of the base material which
has not been melted, but whose mechanical properties or
microstructure have been altered by the heat of welding,
brazing, soldering, forming, or cutting.
heat treatment: the following terms describe various types
and processes of heat treatment (see also postweld
hydrogen bakeout):
(a) annealing: heating to and holding at a suitable
temperature above the transformation temperature
range, followed by slow cooling to well below the trans­
formation temperature range.
(b) normalizing: heating a ferrous metal to a tempera­
ture above the transformation temperature range,
followed by cooling in room-temperature still air to
well below the transformation temperature range.
(c) quenching: when used as a part of a heat-treating
operation, a rapid cooling process that results in micro­
structural stabilization or changes in material properties
that would not have occurred without rapid cooling.
(d) recommended or required heat treatment: the appli­
cation of heat to a metal section subsequent to a cutting,
forming, or welding operation, as provided in para. 331.
(e) solution heat treatment: heating an alloy to a
suitable temperature, holding at that temperature long
enough to allow one or more constituents to enter into
solid solution, and then cooling rapidly enough to hold
the constituents in solution.
(fJ stress-relief: uniform heating of a structure or
portion thereof to a sufficient temperature below the
transformation temperature range to relieve the major
portion of the residual stresses, followed by uniform
cooling slowly enough to minimize development of
new residual stresses.
(g) tempering: reheating a hardened metal to a
temperature below the transformation range to
improve toughness.
(h) transformation range: the temperature range over
which a phase change occurs.
(i) transformation temperature: the temperature at
which a phase change begins or ends. In metals, phase
changes can be solid-state changes.
High Pressure Fluid Service: see fluid service.
High Purity Fluid Service: see fluid service.
hygienic clamp joint: a tube outside-diameter union
consisting of two neutered ferrules having flat faces
with a concentric groove and mating gasket that is
secured with a clamp, providing a nonprotruding, recess­
less product contact surface. See also para. U315.3(b).
indication, linear: in nondestructive examination, an indi­
cation having a length greater than 3 times its width.
indication, rounded: in nondestructive examination, an
indication with a length equal to or less than 3 times
its width. These indications may be circular, elliptical,
conical, or irregular in shape and may have tails.
inline portions of instruments: pressure-containing
portions of instruments that are in direct contact with
the fluid when installed in a piping system. Permanently
sealed fluid-filled tubing systems furnished with instru­
ments as temperature- or pressure-responsive devices,
e.g., pressure gages, pressure transmitters, and transdu­
cers, are excluded.
in-process examination: see para. 344.7.
inspection, Inspector: see para. 340.
integrally reinforced branch connection fitting: see branch
connection fitting.
joint design: the joint geometry together with the required
dimensions of the welded joint.
listed: for the purposes of this Code, describes a material or
component that conforms to a specification in Appendix A,
Appendix B, or Appendix K or to a standard in Table 326.1,
A326.l, or K326.1.
manual welding: a welding operation performed and
controlled completely by hand.
may: a term that indicates a provision is neither required
nor prohibited.
mechanical joint: a joint for the purpose of mechanical
strength or leak resistance, or both, in which the mechan­
ical strength is developed by threaded, grooved, rolled,
flared, or flanged pipe ends; or by bolts, pins, toggles,
or rings; and the leak resistance is developed by
threads and compounds, gaskets, rolled ends, caulking,
or machined and mated surfaces.