AWS CWEng Certified Welding Engineer

In the iron-carbon phase diagram, the eutectoid reaction occurs at approximately what temperature?

• A723 degrees C (1333 degrees F)
• B912 degrees C (1674 degrees F)
• C1147 degrees C (2097 degrees F)
• D1538 degrees C (2800 degrees F)

What is the primary purpose of preheating carbon steel before welding thick sections?

• ATo increase deposition rate
• BTo reduce cooling rate and prevent hydrogen-induced cracking
• CTo remove mill scale and surface contaminants
• DTo improve arc stability

Per AWS A2.4, which symbol element indicates a weld that must be made in the field rather than in the shop?

• AA circle at the junction of the arrow and reference line
• BA flag at the junction of the arrow and reference line
• CA tail on the reference line
• DA double arrow

According to ASME Section IX, when a welding procedure uses a new base metal P-Number, what action is required?

• ANo action — any P-Number may be substituted freely
• BOnly an update to the WPS is required
• CRequalification with a new PQR is generally required
• DOnly a visual inspection of a new test plate is required

What is the purpose of the tail on an AWS welding symbol per AWS A2.4?

• ATo indicate the weld length
• BTo reference a specification, process, or other supplementary information
• CTo indicate the weld direction
• DTo show the root opening

What does FCAW-G refer to in welding process nomenclature?

• AFlux-cored arc welding with external gas shielding
• BFlux-cored arc welding self-shielded
• CFlux-coated arc welding gas
• DFlux-cored arc welding globular transfer

In GMAW spray transfer, what is the primary factor that establishes the transition from globular to spray transfer?

• AWire feed speed alone
• BA minimum current density (transition current) with argon-rich shielding
• CShielding gas flow rate
• DContact-tip-to-work distance

Which welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert shielding gas?

• ASMAW
• BGTAW
• CGMAW
• DFCAW

What is the approximate carbon content (by weight) of low-carbon (mild) steel?

• ALess than 0.30%
• B0.30% to 0.60%
• C0.60% to 1.00%
• D1.00% to 2.00%

Per AWS D1.1 Table 5.8 (prequalified preheat), what is the minimum preheat for a 1-inch (25 mm) thick ASTM A36 base metal using low-hydrogen SMAW?

• AAmbient (no preheat required)
• B50 degrees F (10 degrees C)
• C150 degrees F (66 degrees C)
• D225 degrees F (107 degrees C)

Which NDE method is MOST effective at detecting surface-breaking cracks in ferromagnetic steel?

• ARadiographic testing (RT)
• BMagnetic particle testing (MT)
• CUltrasonic testing (UT)
• DVisual testing (VT) only

What is the main cause of lamellar tearing in welded steel assemblies?

• AHydrogen contamination
• BThrough-thickness tensile strain combined with elongated non-metallic inclusions
• CRapid cooling rates
• DExcessive heat input

In a 60 Hz AC circuit, what is the angular frequency (omega) in radians per second?

• A60 rad/s
• B120 rad/s
• C377 rad/s
• D6,280 rad/s

What is the heat input formula commonly used in arc welding procedure qualification?

• AH = V * I / (1000 * S), in kJ/mm
• BH = V * I * S, in kJ/mm
• CH = 60 * V * I / (1000 * S), in kJ/mm
• DH = V / (I * S), in kJ/mm

What is the primary purpose of a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) per ASME Section IX?

• ATo instruct the welder how to make the weld
• BTo document actual variables used to make a test coupon and its test results
• CTo replace the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
• DTo certify the individual welder

What is the typical shielding gas for GTAW of aluminum?

• A100% CO2
• B75% argon / 25% CO2
• C100% argon or argon-helium mixture
• DNitrogen

What does a 'P-Number' in ASME Section IX represent?

• AA pressure rating for welded piping
• BA grouping of base metals with similar weldability characteristics
• CA post-weld heat treatment requirement
• DA porosity acceptance class

Which of the following is an essential variable for SMAW under ASME Section IX QW-253 that would require requalification if changed beyond the allowed limits?

• ABrand name of the electrode
• BA change in F-Number of the electrode
• CColor of the flux coating
• DOperator's initials

What is the main purpose of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on carbon steel pressure vessels?

• ATo increase tensile strength
• BTo relieve residual stresses and temper the HAZ microstructure
• CTo increase weld metal hardness
• DTo dissolve alloy carbides

What does the classification AWS E7018 indicate for a SMAW electrode?

• A70 ksi minimum tensile strength, all-position, iron-powder low-hydrogen coating
• B70 ksi minimum yield strength, flat position only
• C70% iron content in the flux
• D18% minimum elongation

A cantilever beam of length L carries a point load P at its free end. What is the maximum bending moment at the fixed end?

• AP * L
• BP * L / 2
• CP * L / 4
• DP * L^2 / 8

Per AWS D1.1, what is the minimum fillet weld size for joining 3/4-inch (19 mm) thick structural steel base metal?

• A1/8 inch (3 mm)
• B3/16 inch (5 mm)
• C1/4 inch (6 mm)
• D5/16 inch (8 mm)

What is the strongest axis of a single fillet weld loaded in pure shear?

• ALongitudinal (parallel to weld axis)
• BTransverse (perpendicular to weld axis)
• CNormal to the faying surface
• DAny axis — shear strength is isotropic

Which of the following is the MOST common cause of porosity in GMAW welds?

• AExcess preheat
• BInadequate shielding gas coverage (low flow, drafts, or dirty joint)
• CToo-high electrode extension
• DLow travel speed

What is the main alloying element that distinguishes austenitic stainless steels from ferritic grades?

• AChromium
• BNickel
• CMolybdenum
• DTitanium

Why are austenitic stainless steels susceptible to sensitization during welding?

• ABecause they absorb hydrogen rapidly
• BBecause chromium carbides precipitate at grain boundaries between 800 and 1500 degrees F,…
• CBecause nickel melts first
• DBecause they oxidize rapidly at room temperature

What is the purpose of a Schaeffler or WRC-1992 diagram in stainless steel welding?

• ATo predict weld hardness
• BTo estimate the ferrite content (FN) of weld metal based on chromium and nickel equivalen…
• CTo calculate heat input
• DTo determine preheat temperature

In gas metal arc welding, what is the function of CTWD (contact tip to work distance)?

• AIt has no effect on the weld
• BIncreasing CTWD increases wire resistance heating, raising deposition but lowering arc vo…
• CIncreasing CTWD cools the wire
• DIncreasing CTWD reduces deposition rate

Which mode of metal transfer in GMAW provides the lowest heat input and is best for thin materials and out-of-position welding?

• ASpray transfer
• BGlobular transfer
• CShort-circuit transfer
• DPulse spray

Per AWS D1.1, which welder qualification test coupon position covers all pipe positions for groove welds?

• A1G (flat, rolled)
• B2G (horizontal, fixed)
• C6G (inclined 45 degrees, fixed)
• D5G (horizontal, fixed)

What NDE method is MOST suitable for detecting internal planar defects in thick carbon steel welds?

• ALiquid penetrant testing (PT)
• BMagnetic particle testing (MT)
• CAngle-beam ultrasonic testing (UT)
• DVisual testing (VT)

In API 1104 radiographic acceptance, what is the acceptance limit for an individual elongated slag inclusion in a cross-country pipeline girth weld?

• ANever allowed
• BMaximum length of 2 inches (50 mm) with width up to 1/16 inch (1.6 mm)
• CMaximum length of 1/2 inch (13 mm) with width up to 1/32 inch (0.8 mm)
• DNo width restriction — length only

What is the primary function of slag in SMAW?

• ATo increase deposition rate
• BTo shield the molten pool, slow cooling, and refine the weld metal chemistry
• CTo conduct electrical current
• DTo cool the electrode core wire

A carbon steel plate has a yield strength of 36 ksi and is subjected to a tensile stress of 24 ksi. What is the factor of safety against yielding?

• A0.67
• B1.0
• C1.5
• D2.0

Which welding process is MOST productive (highest deposition rate) for heavy plate butt welds?

• ASMAW
• BGTAW
• CSubmerged arc welding (SAW)
• DOxyfuel gas welding (OFW)

In the Fe-C phase diagram, what microstructure forms when austenite is cooled slowly below 723 degrees C at 0.77% carbon?

• AMartensite
• BBainite
• CPearlite (ferrite plus cementite lamellae)
• DTempered martensite

What is the purpose of the Charpy V-notch impact test?

• AMeasure corrosion resistance
• BMeasure the energy absorbed by a notched specimen under impact loading to evaluate notch…
• CMeasure hardness
• DMeasure tensile strength