ANSI/AWS A3.0M/A3.0-2025: STANDARD
WELDING TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
The March 2025 release of ANSI/AWS
A3.0M/A3.0-2025, Standard Welding
Terms and Definitions Including Terms
for Additive Manufacturing, Adhesive
Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal
Cutting, Thermal Spraying, and
Nondestructive Examination, issued by
the American Welding Society (AWS),
reaffirms the foundational role of precise
terminology in welding and joining
disciplines. As the welding industry
continues to evolve with the integration
of advanced technologies and diver-
sified applications, a clear and unified
language becomes essential for effec-
tive communication, quality assurance,
and international standardization. This
updated edition, compiled with input
from a broad range of industry profes-
sionals, educators, and researchers,
solidifies ANSI/AWS A3.0 as the definitive
reference for welding-related definitions,
symbols, and concepts.
Welding operations span virtually
every major sector—from aerospace and
automotive to energy, construction, and
shipbuilding. In each of these fields, accu-
rate and consistent terminology is critical
to maintaining clarity between designers,
engineers, inspectors, technicians, and
regulatory authorities. For example,
understanding the difference between
a “weld pass” and a “weld bead,” or
the nuances between “fusion welding”
and “pressure welding,” can have major
implications for procedure qualification,
inspection criteria, and product perfor-
mance. Misinterpretation of such terms
can lead to costly errors, nonconfor-
mance, or safety hazards.
The 2025 revision of ANSI/AWS
A3.0M/A3.0 includes newly introduced
terms that reflect the rapid technological
growth in the field, particularly in areas
like robotic and laser welding, additive
manufacturing, and advanced nonde-
structive testing. Furthermore, the stan-
dard refines and reorganizes existing
definitions to better support the devel-
opment of welder training programs and
industry documentation. It also ensures
compatibility with other AWS codes and
international standards, fostering global
interoperability in welding practices.
Beyond its technical scope, ANSI/AWS
A3.0M/A3.0-2025 plays a strategic role
in harmonizing communication across a
growingly interconnected supply chain.
As fabrication becomes more global-
ized, the ability to reference standardized
terminology is invaluable for project coor-
dination, contract clarity, and regulatory
compliance.
With this latest edition, AWS continues
to champion clarity and precision in
welding, ensuring that industry profes-
sionals worldwide are aligned in both
language and intent. ANSI/AWS A3.0M/
A3.0-2025 remains not just a glossary of
terms, but a vital tool for building safer,
stronger, and more reliable welded
structures.
STANDARDS EDITOR
Hossein Taheri, PhD: Georgia
Southern University, Statesboro, GA
htaheri@georgiasouthern.edu
www. .com
• 2000 ASME &RFT tubes in stock
-Same day shipping
• Custom calibration standards
• Mock-up exchangers /
tube testing bundles
• EDM notches, holes and flaws
• S
• Spiral notches &tube expansions
• Corrosion simulation
SCANNER
|
STANDARDSUPDATE
18
M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • M AY 2 0 2 5
WELDING TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
The March 2025 release of ANSI/AWS
A3.0M/A3.0-2025, Standard Welding
Terms and Definitions Including Terms
for Additive Manufacturing, Adhesive
Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal
Cutting, Thermal Spraying, and
Nondestructive Examination, issued by
the American Welding Society (AWS),
reaffirms the foundational role of precise
terminology in welding and joining
disciplines. As the welding industry
continues to evolve with the integration
of advanced technologies and diver-
sified applications, a clear and unified
language becomes essential for effec-
tive communication, quality assurance,
and international standardization. This
updated edition, compiled with input
from a broad range of industry profes-
sionals, educators, and researchers,
solidifies ANSI/AWS A3.0 as the definitive
reference for welding-related definitions,
symbols, and concepts.
Welding operations span virtually
every major sector—from aerospace and
automotive to energy, construction, and
shipbuilding. In each of these fields, accu-
rate and consistent terminology is critical
to maintaining clarity between designers,
engineers, inspectors, technicians, and
regulatory authorities. For example,
understanding the difference between
a “weld pass” and a “weld bead,” or
the nuances between “fusion welding”
and “pressure welding,” can have major
implications for procedure qualification,
inspection criteria, and product perfor-
mance. Misinterpretation of such terms
can lead to costly errors, nonconfor-
mance, or safety hazards.
The 2025 revision of ANSI/AWS
A3.0M/A3.0 includes newly introduced
terms that reflect the rapid technological
growth in the field, particularly in areas
like robotic and laser welding, additive
manufacturing, and advanced nonde-
structive testing. Furthermore, the stan-
dard refines and reorganizes existing
definitions to better support the devel-
opment of welder training programs and
industry documentation. It also ensures
compatibility with other AWS codes and
international standards, fostering global
interoperability in welding practices.
Beyond its technical scope, ANSI/AWS
A3.0M/A3.0-2025 plays a strategic role
in harmonizing communication across a
growingly interconnected supply chain.
As fabrication becomes more global-
ized, the ability to reference standardized
terminology is invaluable for project coor-
dination, contract clarity, and regulatory
compliance.
With this latest edition, AWS continues
to champion clarity and precision in
welding, ensuring that industry profes-
sionals worldwide are aligned in both
language and intent. ANSI/AWS A3.0M/
A3.0-2025 remains not just a glossary of
terms, but a vital tool for building safer,
stronger, and more reliable welded
structures.
STANDARDS EDITOR
Hossein Taheri, PhD: Georgia
Southern University, Statesboro, GA
htaheri@georgiasouthern.edu
www. .com
• 2000 ASME &RFT tubes in stock
-Same day shipping
• Custom calibration standards
• Mock-up exchangers /
tube testing bundles
• EDM notches, holes and flaws
• S
• Spiral notches &tube expansions
• Corrosion simulation
SCANNER
|
STANDARDSUPDATE
18
M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • M AY 2 0 2 5
