Welding Processes and Designations
AWS process designations for SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and SAW including shielding gases and equipment.
- Identify the AWS organization and its role in welding standards
- Describe the five major arc welding processes and their AWS designations
- Explain shielding gas selection for GMAW and GTAW
- Compare advantages and applications of each process
Lesson 1
AWS Organization and Process Overview
The American Welding Society
The AWS (American Welding Society) publishes welding codes and standards in the United States. Founded in 1919, AWS develops the codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides used across all welding industries. AWS also administers professional certifications including the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and Certified Welding Educator (CWE).
AWS assigns standardized letter designations to each welding process. These designations are used universally in WPS documents, drawings, and specifications.
Process Designations
| Designation | Full Name | Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| SMAW | Shielded Metal Arc Welding | Stick welding |
| GMAW | Gas Metal Arc Welding | MIG welding |
| GTAW | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding | TIG welding |
| FCAW | Flux-Cored Arc Welding | Flux-core |
| SAW | Submerged Arc Welding | Sub-arc |
Exam Tip
Memorize all five AWS process designations. The exam will ask you to identify each by its letters. SMAW = Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), GMAW = Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), GTAW = Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG).
AWS (American Welding Society) publishes welding codes and standards in the United States. Every welding process has a standardized AWS letter designation that is used on all welding documentation.