Coded welding is the use of codes that indicates welding specifications. Once the weld has been completed, the testing personnel will assess the result to see if it has met the standard requirements set by accredited certifying bodies. There are 3 welding methods that are commonly used in coded welding and these are the stick welding, TIG and MIG welding. So depending on the code, you must choose the type of electrode and filler materials for every code.
Many times people ask are there actually codes involved in the coded welding? Yes, there are. When you are applying for a welding job and the employer asks you if you understand codes and you say yes, he expects that once he gives you the metal to fuse and the codes, you know what to do. So what are these codes?
Welding codes are a combination of letters and numbers that specify specific welding work. The general welding code standards being used today are the BS 4872, BS EN 15614, EN 287, ASME IX, BS EN 287-1, EN ISO 9606-1 and the CAA A8-10. Each code specifies a certain position in welding as well as the required thickness of the weld. For example, the ASME IX is the American code qualification that generally applies to an inclined joint while the BS 4872 is the British version that refers to beam welding joints or plate work. Note that there could be differences and similarities among these codes for every country. Like the BS EN 287-1 which is the European standard and is used in Europe’s machinery and industries almost has the same qualification standards as the ASME IX.