Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /

Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

Specification for
An American National Standard
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

Resistance Brazing
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
An American National Standard

Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
July 30, 2008

Specification for
Resistance Brazing

1st Edition

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

Under the Direction of the

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the
AWS Board of Directors
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

Abstract
This specification provides the minimum fabrication, equipment, material, and process procedure requirements, as well as
discontinuity limits for the resistance brazing of steels, copper, copper alloys, heat- and corrosion-resistant alloys, and
other materials that can be adequately resistance brazed (the resistance brazing of aluminum alloys is addressed in AWS
C3.7M/C3.7, Specification for Aluminum Brazing). This specification provides criteria for classifying resistance 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 resistance 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 C3.9M/C3.9:2009
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-510-4

American Welding Society
550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126
© 2008 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 C3.9M/C3.9:2009

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
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

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.
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /

Finally, the AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

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 Solder-
ing and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s 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
 Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

iv
This page is intentionally blank.
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

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
K. Allen Bellman-Melcor
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
B. Freund Millennium Industries
Y. Gao Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
R. A. Gross Gourley Curtiss-Wright
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

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
G. F. Kayser Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /

M. J. Kuta Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated

E. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

M. J. Lucas, Jr. MattBraze Consulting

R. P. McKinney The Prince & Izant Company
W. Miglietti General Electric Aviation
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
M. Pohlman Honeywell Aerospace
A. Rabinkin Metglas, Incorporated/Hitachi Metals
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 & Whitney
N. C. Cole NCC Engineering
C. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
P. K. Gupta Honeywell Aerospace
M. J. Higgins Consultant

v
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

Advisors to the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering (Continued)

H. Lichtenberger Williams Advanced Materials
E. Lugscheider Aachen University of Technology
W. D. Rupert Wolverine Joining Technologies

AWS C3D Subcommittee on Brazing Specifications

J. R. Jachna, Chair Modine Manufacturing Company
M. J. Pohlman, Vice Chair Honeywell Aerospace
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
B. Freund Millennium Industries
C. E. Fuerstenau Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
Y. P. Gao Pratt & Whitney Rockeydyne
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
G. F. Kayser Pratt & Whitney Rockeydyne
M. J. Kuta Lucas-Milhaupt, Incorporated
E. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical
J. A. Liguori Scarrott Metallurgical
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

M. J. Lucas, Jr. MattBraze Consulting

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
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /

R. W. Smith Materials Resources International

Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

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
A. B. Cedilote Wabco, Incorporated
N. C. Cole NCC Engineering
P. K. Gupta Honeywell Aerospace
M. J. Higgins Consultant
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 C3.9M/C3.9:2009

Foreword
This foreword is not part of AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009, Specification for
Resistance 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 six 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; AWS
C3.6M/C3.6, Specification for Furnace Brazing; AWS C3.7M/C3.7, Specification for Aluminum Brazing; AWS
C3.8M/C3.8, Specification for the Ultrasonic Examination of Brazed Joints; and the present document, AWS
C3.9M/C3.9, Specification for Resistance Brazing.
The decision to subdivide the technology in this way was based on a survey of production brazing applications con-
ducted by the AWS C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering. The survey demonstrated that these six specifications
would cover the vast majority of brazing performed today.
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

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.
AWS C3.9M/C3.9, Specification for Resistance Brazing, has been added to this group of diverse standards on brazing
processes because resistance brazing is an additional commercial brazing method used in many industries. The specifics
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /

for this method are detailed in the same manner as the other five independent brazing specifications.
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

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
 Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

viii
This page is intentionally blank.
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

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................................................................................................................................................2
4.4 Class C Joints................................................................................................................................................2
4.5 No Class Specified........................................................................................................................................3
5. Process Requirements .........................................................................................................................................3
5.1 Process Description.......................................................................................................................................3
5.2 Equipment .....................................................................................................................................................3
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

5.3 Materials .......................................................................................................................................................4

5.4 Procedure Requirements ...............................................................................................................................4
5.5 Qualification .................................................................................................................................................5
5.6 Safety and Health..........................................................................................................................................5
6. Quality Assurance Provisions ............................................................................................................................5
6.1 Responsibility for Inspection ........................................................................................................................5
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /

6.2 Requirements for Compliance ......................................................................................................................5

6.3 Sequence of Inspection and Manufacturing Operations ...............................................................................5
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

6.4 Required Inspection of Brazed Joints ...........................................................................................................6

6.5 Acceptance Criteria.......................................................................................................................................7
6.6 Process Completion ......................................................................................................................................8
Annex A (Informative)—Informative References .......................................................................................................9
Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries.......................................................11
List of AWS Documents on Brazing and Soldering ..................................................................................................13

ix
 Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

x
This page is intentionally blank.

Specification for Resistance Brazing
1. Scope
This specification presents the minimum fabrication and
quality requirements for the resistance brazing of materi-
als such as steels, stainless steels, copper, copper alloys,
and heat- or corrosion-resistant materials as well as other
materials that can be adequately resistance brazed.
The purpose of this specification is to standardize resis-
tance brazing process requirements and control braze
joint quality for all applications requiring brazed joints of
assured quality. This document establishes the minimum
requirements for processes and products with a minimum
of explanatory information so that sources of ambiguity
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
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
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
those performing resistance brazing and related opera-
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
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 that,
through reference in this text, constitute mandatory pro-
visions of this AWS standard. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply.
1
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
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, Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Non-
destructive 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/A5.31M, Specification for Fluxes for
Braze 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.
SAE International/Aerospace Materials Division (AMD)
standards:3
SAE AMS 2403, Plating, General Purpose;
SAE AMS 2424, Plating, Nickel, Low Stressed Deposit;
1 AWS standards are published by the American Welding
Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.
2 ASQ standards are published by the American Society for
Quality (ASQ), 600 North Plankinton Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
53203-3005.
3 SAE International standards are published by the Society of
Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale,
PA 15096-0001.
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
SAE AMS 2451/1, Plating, Brush, Nickel General
Purpose; and
SAE AMS 2750, Pyrometry.
ASTM International standards:4
ASTM E 1742, Standard Practice for Radiographic
Examination; and
ASTM E 1417, Practice for Liquid Penetrant
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:
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
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
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
joined by brazing, excluding any fillets that form at
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
the edges of that area.
brazing procedure specification (BPS). A document
specifying the required brazing variables for a spe-
cific application.
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.
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-
4 ASTM International standards are published by ASTM Inter-
national, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959.
5 NCSL standards are published by National Conference of
Standards Laboratories, 2995 Wilderness Place, Suite 107,
Boulder, CO 80301-5404.
2
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 brazed 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. Resistance brazed joints
are classified in this specification based on two criteria:
the design requirements and the consequences of their
failure. It is the responsibility of the Organization Hav-
ing Quality Responsibility to evaluate these or other fac-
tors and assign the proper classification. This
classification controls which inspection methods and
design 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
property, or in 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. Symbols
shall be in accordance with AWS A2.4, Standard
Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive
Examination.
5. Process Requirements
5.1 Process Description. In resistance brazing, the resis-
tance to electrical current flow provides the heat that
melts the brazing filler metal between two components
of an assembly. The heat for resistance brazing is created
by either the components, or by the electrodes that con-
tact the components, or both, when current is passed
through them. The rate and time of current application
are controlled to bring the particular components to the
brazing temperature in the required time. Pressure from
the electrodes and application of flux can also be impor-
tant to joint quality.
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
5.2 Equipment
5.2.1 Brazing Tongs and Electrodes. Resistance
brazing tongs used as manual resistance brazing elec-
trodes shall be designed and maintained to ensure proper
contact with the components in order to achieve the
required heat distribution for the proper filler metal flow.
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
The brazing tongs shall be designed for the specific
application. A material’s intrinsic electrical conductivity
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
is the primary parameter to be considered when selecting
a resistance brazing electrode. The general principle is
that the electrical conductivity of the electrode material
should be opposite that of the components (i.e., high-
conductivity electrodes for high-resistivity components)
in order to avoid overheating the electrodes.
Electrodes are selected based upon the metals being
brazed. The resistance brazing chapter of the AWS Braz-
ing Handbook defines how to select the appropriate elec-
trode for an application. In addition, resistance brazing
electrodes are normally subjected to various service-
related forms of degradation (e.g., rubbing wear, rapid
heating and cooling, clamping pressure, liquid filler
metal attack, high-temperature oxidation, and flatness
and gap measurements). Electrodes shall be inspected on
a regular basis in accordance with a documented proce-
dure. In addition, it is necessary to maintain sufficient
contact between electrodes in order to achieve good elec-
trical current and heat flow between the electrodes and
components.
3
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
5.2.2 Power Supply and Cables. The same power
transformers and water-cooled cables that are used for
resistance welding are also well suited for resistance
brazing. Power supplies and cables shall be inspected
visually and electrically on a regular basis in accordance
with a documented maintenance procedure to ensure that
they function properly.
5.2.3 Fixtures. Fixtures, if used, shall be designed
and fabricated so that they do not adhere to the compo-
nents being joined or otherwise interfere with the brazing
process. Fixtures shall support the assembly during the
entire cycle, have thermal expansion characteristics suit-
able for the application, and maintain the components
being brazed in the proper dimensional relationships as
specified by the engineering drawing.
5.2.4 Temperature Sensing and Control Devices.
Temperature sensing and control devices shall be in good
working order and suitable for the particular application.
Automatic systems used for the brazing of Class A and
Class B joints shall be calibrated by the use of a simu-
lated assembly with suitable optical instrumentation or
thermocouples properly attached so as to accurately read
the temperature of the base metal at the joint area to ver-
ify control standard settings. Note: improperly attached
thermocouples may be heated independently by the elec-
trodes and may not accurately read the temperature of the
base metal.
The instruments used for calibration shall be calibrated
in a manner traceable to the standards of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).6 All
instruments shall be calibrated in accordance with AMS
2750 and NCSL Z540-1, General Requirements for Cali-
bration Laboratories and Measuring and Test Equip-
ment. Instruments shall be calibrated on a regular
schedule or whenever repairs or modifications are made
to them.
For joints where overheating could adversely affect the
properties of the base metals, sensors that shut down the
system shall be used if overheating occurs and shall be
calibrated as mentioned above. Each sensor shall be set
at a temperature below the temperature at which the
reduction in properties can take place. It shall be located
and aligned so that it reads the area of highest tempera-
ture. Automatic systems used to manufacture Class A
and Class B joints shall be equipped with calibrated con-
trol devices that produce a repeatable brazing cycle.
6 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
Office of Standard Reference Materials, Building 202, Room
206, Gathersburg, MD 20899.
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
5.3 Materials
5.3.1 Brazing Filler Metals. The brazing filler metal
to be used shall be specified on the engineering drawing
or accompanying documents and shall meet the require-
ments of AWS A5.8/A5.8M, Specification for Filler
Metals for Brazing and Braze Welding, unless otherwise
specified by the engineering drawing or accompanying
documents. There are brazing filler metal/base metal
combinations that can cause severe service problems
under certain circumstances, e.g., nickel-based alloys
brazed with silver-bearing brazing filler metals contain-
ing high phosphorous. Care shall be exercised to ensure
that the brazing filler metal selected is metallurgically
compatible with the base metal and the resistance braz-
ing process. Because resistance brazing is generally per-
formed in air, the lowest possible temperature is used to
minimize oxidation. Resistance brazing is generally per-
formed with brazing filler metals such as BAg and BCuP
that melt below 730°C [1346°F]. When using higher-
melting brazing filler metals, measures must be taken to
protect them from oxidation and to control the heat radi-
ating from the hot components.
5.3.2 Fluxes. Fluxes shall be compatible with the base
metal and the brazing filler metal specified by the engi-
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
neering drawing. Fluxes shall remove oxides and prevent
their reformation during the brazing operation. They
shall promote the flow and wetting of the brazing
filler metal onto the surfaces of the brazed joint.
Fluxes shall be in accordance with AWS A5.31, Specifi-
cation for Fluxes for Braze and Braze Welding, unless
otherwise specified by the Organization Having Quality
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Responsibility.
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
5.3.3 Cleaning Materials. Cleaning materials shall
leave no residue that will interfere with the wetting or
flow of the brazing 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
detrimental to the base metal shall not be used (see 5.6
for Safety Precautions).
5.3.4 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; therefore, 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
4
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 to permit proper assembly and brazing filler
metal flow. Brazing filler metal and electrodes shall also
be free of foreign substances.
5.4.2 Nickel Plating. Nickel plating is recommended
on the braze joint areas of stainless, corrosion-, or heat-
resistant alloys having equal or greater percentage by
weight of the following alloying elements:
(1) Titanium—0.40%;
(2) Aluminum—0.40%; and
(3) Titanium plus aluminum—0.70%.
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 815°C
[1500°F], 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.
NOTE: When using nickel plating, phosphorus, or
sulfur—potential ingredients in the nickel plating—may
interact with steel to form iron phosphides or sulphides
when heated to over 815°C [1500°F]. Temperature
monitoring shall be used, whenever possible, when heat-
ing 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 resistance brazed shall be controlled by
the assembly procedures so that proper clearance at the
brazing temperature is provided. Suggested joint clear-
ances for typical materials may be found in the AWS
Brazing Handbook.
5.4.4 Accessibility. Joints to be resistance brazed in
place shall be accessible for proper preparation, assem-
bly, heating, flux and filler application, cooling, flux
removal, and the proper performance of all required
inspections. Inaccessibility bears no justification for the

waiver of any requirement of the engineering drawing or
of this specification.
5.4.5 Application of Brazing Filler Metal. Brazing
filler metal shall be preplaced within the joint or adjacent
to the joint as defined in the approved brazing procedure
specification (BPS). The quantity shall be sufficient to
yield satisfactory joints without buildup on adjacent sur-
faces, which may interfere with part function.
5.4.6 Application of Flux. Flux, if used, shall be
applied in the form, quantity, and method specified in the
approved brazing procedure. Flux quantity and place-
ment shall be such as to yield a satisfactory-brazed
assembly and adequately protect adjacent surfaces from
detrimental oxidation. Flux is not generally required for
the brazing of copper and certain copper alloys when
brazing with BCuP-type brazing filler metals. When
used, flux shall not be allowed to dry after applying and
before brazing.
5.4.7 Application of Stopoff. Braze stopoff, if used,
shall be applied in the quantities and locations specified
in the approved brazing procedure 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’s surfaces, preplaced brazing filler
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
metal, or flux.
5.4.8 Brazing Cycle. The approved brazing proce-
dure shall be defined so that the braze joints are heated
uniformly to the brazing temperature. Overheating shall
be avoided. Brazements shall be cooled in such a manner
that cracking of the brazing filler metal or base metal is
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
avoided and residual stresses do not cause unacceptable
distortion.
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
5.4.9 Postbrazing Operations. Postbrazing heat
treatments shall be performed as required by the engi-
neering drawing. Chemical cleaning may be required to
remove flux residues and should be approved by the
Organization Having Quality Responsibility. Postbraze
cleaning or passivation treatments (e.g., nitric acid passi-
vation of silver- or copper-brazed assemblies) shall not
be used.
5.5 Qualification. Resistance brazing procedures, equip-
ment, brazers, and operators (as applicable) shall be
qualified in accordance with AWS B2.2, Standard for
Brazing Procedure and Performance Qualification, or as
required by the Organization Having Quality Responsi-
bility. When required, such qualification shall be docu-
mented and approved in writing by the Organization
Having Quality Responsibility prior to use.
5.6 Safety and Health. Brazing fluxes and filler metals,
particularly those containing cadmium, emit hazardous
fumes during the brazing cycle. It is mandatory that all
5
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
resistance brazing operations be properly and adequately
ventilated or that operators be provided with an adequate
breathing apparatus, or both, as required to ensure that all
relevant federal, state, and local government safety and
health requirements are met.
In addition, there are other hazards involved in resistance
brazing such as those relating to the use of corrosive
fluxes and electrical equipment. The standard ANSI
Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes,
provides further information on these and other safety
and health hazards that must be controlled in resistance
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 brazements con-
form to the requirements of this specification and the
engineering drawing.
6.2 Requirements 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 contractor’s 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. Resistance brazed joints may be inspected at the
assembly or subassembly level, provided the entire joint
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
is accessible for inspection. Brazements requiring post-
braze heat treatment shall be inspected after the 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 postbrazing 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
plan in accordance with the requirements of this specifi-
cation or as part of an inspection procedure complying
with 6.4.3.4.
6.4.1.1 Burst Test. Burst testing shall be con-
ducted when required by the Organization Having Quality
Responsibility.
6.4.2 Visual Examination. All brazed joints shall be
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
visually examined to the acceptance criteria specified in
6.5. No sampling plan is permissible.
6.4.3 Nondestructive Examination. Class A and
Class B brazed joints shall be examined either radio-
graphically or ultrasonically to determine the area of the
joint surfaces actually brazed and detect internal discon-
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
tinuities unless the requirements of 6.5.2 are met. The
choice of process is optional, except for the criteria
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
established in 6.4.3.1 and 6.4.3.2. However, ultrasonic
examination is generally the preferred method for
inspecting brazed joints. Acceptance criteria shall be as
specified in 6.5.
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.
6
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 the joint configuration, joint clear-
ance, and brazing filler material. The reference standard
shall have defects of known size and location suitable for
calibrating 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 air pressure tested at an
internal pressure and according to procedures specified
in writing by the Organization Having Quality Responsi-
bility. No measurable leakage shall be allowed. They
shall then be helium leak tested in accordance with the
procedure outlined in AWS C3.3, Recommended Prac-
tices for the Design, Manufacture, and Examination of
Critical Brazed Components. Leakage of not more than
3.0 × 10–5 cc3/s [2.0 × 10–6 in3/s] shall be detected with a
suitable mass spectrometer leak detector in good work-
ing condition calibrated as specified by its manufacturer;
(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 bubbles shall be allowed; and

(3) Internal pressure test fixtures and devices shall be
suitable for the intended purpose and shall be adequately
shielded to prevent injury to persons in case of cata-
strophic failure during pressure testing.
6.4.3.4 Alternate Inspection Techniques. Certain
specialized brazed components may not be inspectable
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 inspection techniques
and acceptance limits shall be as specified in writing by
the Organization Having Quality Responsibility. This
organization is responsible for the suitability of the final
product for service and of the selected inspection tech-
niques 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
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
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-
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
tion. In such cases, the acceptance criteria shall be
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
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 sampling plans shall be
used.
6.4.4.2 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.
7
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
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 must be
100% visually inspected.
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.
6.5 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 resistance 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.
(1) Class A—Maximum size 2.3 mm [0.090 in] with
a total accumulated length less than 10% of the fillet
length;
(2) Class B—Maximum size 2.3 mm [0.090 in] with
a total accumulated length less than 25% of the fillet
length; and
(3) Class C—Maximum 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 uninterpretable, 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
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
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. Leakage within
the leakage allowance of 6.4.3.3 shall not be considered
evidence of through-voids. 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 unacceptable. 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. This
requirement shall not apply in cases where the edge of
the joint opposite the edge to which filler metal is applied
is not accessible for inspection because of the configura-
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
tion of the assembly.
6.5.1.7 Flux or Flux Residue. Evidence of corro-
sive flux or corrosive flux residue is unacceptable (see
5.3.2).
6.5.1.8 Quality of Workmanship. The quality of
workmanship shall be such that the assemblies are suit-
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
able for the intended purpose and that surfaces are free of
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
excess brazing filler material that could interfere with
subsequent operations or the function of the product.
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
8
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 area 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.
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.
6.6 Process Completion. Joints brazed with flux may be
reworked by brazing to the original qualified BPS (see
5.5) twice without the specific written approval of the
Organization Having Quality Responsibility, unless oth-
erwise specified by that organization. Additional brazing
filler metal of the same type used in the original proce-
dure may be used.
Written prior approval of the procedures to be used shall
be obtained from the Organization Having Quality
Responsibility if (1) the assembly is still not acceptable
after having been rebrazed twice and inspected to the
requirements of 6.4, (2) a brazing process or brazing
filler metal other than that specified by the qualified BPS
is to be used, or (3) the disassembly of the brazed assem-
bly is required.
If it is necessary to change the BPS or the brazing filler
metal in order to accomplish this rework, the procedure
shall be qualified as specified in 5.5.
 AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

Annex A (Informative)
Informative References
This annex is not part of AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009, Specification for
Resistance Brazing, but is included for informational purposes only.

ANSI Z49.1:2005, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and SAE AMS 2404:2003, Plating, Electroless Nickel,
Allied Processes, American Welding Society. Society of Automotive Engineers.
AWS, 2007, Brazing Handbook, 5th ed., Miami:
American Welding Society.
SAE AMS 2451/7:2006, Plating, Brush, Nickel Low
AWS A5.31-92R, Specification for Fluxes for Braz- Stress, Medium-Hardness Deposit, Society of Auto-
ing and Braze Welding, American Welding Society. motive Engineers.
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

9
 Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

10
This page is intentionally blank.

Annex B (Informative)
Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries
This annex is not part of AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009, Specification for
Resistance 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
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
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.
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
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
11
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009
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 standard’s 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
standard, 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 subcommittee’s 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 C3.9M/C3.9:2009
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 of Directors’ policy requires
that all AWS staff members respond to a telephone
request for an official interpretation of any AWS stan-
dard with the information that such an interpretation can
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
12
be 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 C3.9M/C3.9:2009

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, Solder-
ing, 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
B2.3/B2.3M Specification for Soldering 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 Specification for the Ultrasonic Examination of Brazed Joints
C3.9M/C3.9 Specification for Resistance Brazing
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /

D10.13 Recommended Practice for the Brazing of Copper Pipe and Tubing for Medical Gas Systems
BRH Brazing Handbook
SHB Soldering Handbook
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /

13
 Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /
AWS C3.9M/C3.9:2009

14
This page is intentionally blank.
Licensed by WEX to GE ENERGY /
Downloaded: 1/6/20145:09:36AM /
Multi-User license only, copying and networking prohibited. /