AWS D18.1/D18.

1M:2009
An American National Standard

Specification for
Welding of
Austenitic
Stainless Steel
Tube and Pipe
Systems in
Sanitary (Hygienic)
Applications
 AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009
An American National Standard

Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
April 17, 2009

Specification for Welding

of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Tube and Pipe Systems in
Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications

2nd Edition

Supersedes AWS D18.1:1999

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) D18 Committee on Welding in Sanitary Applications

Under the Direction of the

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This specification provides the requirements for welds in tubing systems in dairy and other food processing plants. The
document addresses qualifications, fabrication, extent of visual examination, acceptance criteria, and documentation
requirements.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-749-8

American Welding Society
550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126
© 2009 by American Welding Society
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Printed in the United States of America

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 AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

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This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS D18 Committee on Welding in Sanitary Applications. It must
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additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be
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Welding in Sanitary Applications and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the
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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.

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 AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

Dedication

The D18 Committee on Welding in Sanitary Applications

dedicates this edition of the D18.1/D18.1M:2009, Specification
for Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel Tube and Pipe Systems in
Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications, to Mr. Garrett M. Naughton,
a charter member of the D18 Committee. Garrett was a true
friend and advocate of the American Welding Society. His
dedicated efforts did much to advance the art and science of
welding stainless steel materials for the food and food processing
industry, as well as the education and training of welders for
the welding industry.

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 AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

Personnel
AWS D18 Committee on Welding in Sanitary Applications
J. E. Campbell, Chair WeldTech Solutions Corporation
W. L. Roth, 1st Vice Chair The Procter & Gamble Company
R. Howard, 2nd Vice Chair Vogt Power International
R. Starks, Secretary American Welding Society
R. E. Avery Nickel Institute
R. D. Campbell Bechtel National, Incorporated
L. Hanson Johnsonville Sausage, LLC
B. K. Henon Arc Machines, Incorporated
E. K. Johnson Acraline
M. J. LeRoy Swagelok Corporation
J. McSwiggin Rodem, Incorporated
J. Williams James Williams, PC

Advisors to the AWS D18 Committee on Welding in Sanitary Applications

L. P. Connor Consultant
J. R. Hannahs Professor
M. P. Lang Bechtel Corporation
G. B. Melton TWI
J. R. Miller Retired
R. K. Smith Richard K. Smith

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 AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

Foreword
This foreword is not part of AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009, Specification for Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Tube and Pipe Systems in Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications, but is included for informational purposes only.

The formation of D18 Committee was approved in October and November 1995 by the Technical Activities Committee
and the Board of Directors, respectively. The Committee was formed to respond to the request of the 3-A Sanitary
Standards Committee for help in preparing welding standards for use in the manufacture and construction of dairy and
food product processing plants. The 3-A Sanitary Standards Inc. (3-A SSI) Committees develop and promulgate sanitary
design standards for dairy and food processing, packaging, and handling equipment and systems. Several members of
the Committee are active members of 3-A, and the Committee has maintained liaison with 3-A.
This document supersedes AWS D18.1:1999, Specification for Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel Tube and Pipe
Systems in Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications. Principal changes in the second edition involve enhancements to the
sections on welding procedure qualifications and qualification records.
The D18 Committee has adopted AWS B2.1, Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification, as a
basis for welding procedure and welding performance qualifications. Exceptions as they relate to sanitary applications
are included in this document. It should be noted that the terms “essential variable” and “nonessential variable” have
been changed to “qualification variable” and “welding variable” to be consistent with AWS B2.1.
A vertical line in the margin indicates a revision from the previous 1999 edition.
Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary,
AWS D18 Committee on Welding in Sanitary Applications, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road,
Miami, FL 33126.

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Table of Contents
Page No.
Dedication ....................................................................................................................................................................v
Personnel ....................................................................................................................................................................vii
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................ix
List of Figures..............................................................................................................................................................xi
1. Scope.....................................................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References .........................................................................................................................................1
3. Terms and Definitions .........................................................................................................................................2
4. Qualification.........................................................................................................................................................3
4.1 Procedure Qualification ................................................................................................................................3
4.2 Performance Qualification ............................................................................................................................5
5. Fabrication ...........................................................................................................................................................7
5.1 Material Preparation .....................................................................................................................................7
5.2 Preconstruction Weld Samples (PWS)..........................................................................................................7
6. Visual Examination Requirements ....................................................................................................................7
6.1 Extent of Examination .................................................................................................................................7
6.2 Visual Examination Acceptance Criteria ......................................................................................................8
7. Documentation.....................................................................................................................................................8
Annex A (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries.......................................................11
Annex B (Informative)—Documentation Sample Forms...........................................................................................13
List of AWS Documents on Welding in Sanitary Applications .................................................................................21

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AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

List of Figures
Figure Page No.
1 Examples of Maximum Allowable Discontinuities ......................................................................................9
2 Weld Discoloration Levels on Inside of Austenitic Stainless Steel Tube ...................................................10

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 AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2009

Specification for Welding of Austenitic

Stainless Steel Tube and Pipe Systems
in Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications

1. Scope
This specification covers the requirements for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Plasma Arc Welding of stainless steels
and nickel alloy tube and pipe 1/4 in [6 mm] diameter and larger in the fabrication and construction of new sanitary
(hygienic) processing systems. This specification includes the welding of tube and pipe for the transportation of sanitary
(hygienic) system products and cleaning or sanitizing solutions. It includes manual welding as well as automatic or
mechanized welding, such as orbital welding. This specification addresses welding qualification and visual examination
requirements for as-welded surfaces as well as finished surfaces.
This specification is intended for new construction. However, the requirements may also be applied to maintenance and
repair of food processing equipment. When there is a conflict between this specification and a design specification to
which the equipment is being constructed, the applicable code shall govern on issues that apply to structural design or
structural integrity. This specification does not address requirements designed to prevent corrosion damage during ser-
vice or any structural design or integrity aspects of components or systems used for sanitary (hygienic) applications.
Sanitary processing systems are intended to include those systems handling products for human and animal con-
sumption, or for cleaning and sanitizing solutions used in these systems. Such products include dairy, meat, poultry,
vegetables, beverages, personal care items (such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, cosmetics), and other products consumed
or used by humans or animals, which require freedom from contamination.
When this specification is stipulated in contract documents, conformance with all provisions of this specification are
required, except for those provisions that the Owner, their representative, or contract documents specifically modifies or
exempts. The Owner or their representatives shall provide a complete specification for the piping or tubing system.
This specification makes use of both U.S. Customary Units and the International System of Units (SI). The latter are
shown within brackets [ ] or in appropriate columns in tables or figures. The measurements may not be exact equiva-
lents; therefore, each system must be used independently.
Safety and health issues 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 federal, state, and local regulations as
well as other safety standards such as ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes.

2. Normative References
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute mandatory provisions of this
AWS standard. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply. For dated references,
subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply.
AWS Standards1:
AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions;

1 AWS standards are published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.