Page 1 of 141
AWS D1.6 Structural Stainless Steel Welding Exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
AWS D1.6 Structural Stainless Steel Welding Exam Practice Questions
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. D1.6 Scope, Definitions, and General Requirements — purpose, application, limitations,
responsibilities, terminology, contract requirements, and stainless-steel structural applications.
2. Stainless-Steel Base Metals and Material Identification — austenitic, ferritic, martensitic,
precipitation-hardening, duplex stainless steels, grades, thickness, material grouping, and
compatibility.
3. Welding Processes and Equipment — SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, SAW, stud welding,
equipment setup, polarity, shielding gas, electrodes, filler metals, and process controls.
4. Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Qualification — WPS requirements, prequalified
procedures, procedure qualification records, essential variables, test coupons, and qualification
limits.
5. Welder and Welding Operator Qualification — performance qualification, test positions, test
plates, process limitations, continuity, essential variables, and qualification records.
6. Joint Design and Welding Techniques — groove welds, fillet welds, CJP and PJP joints, joint
preparation, fit-up, root openings, backing, tack welds, sequencing, and distortion control.
7. Heat Control and Stainless-Steel Metallurgy — heat input, preheat, interpass temperature,
sensitization, chromium carbide precipitation, distortion, phase balance, and corrosion
resistance.
8. Fabrication, Workmanship, and Quality Control — cleaning, contamination prevention, storage,
handling, welding sequence, repairs, weld profiles, dimensional control, and finishing.
9. Inspection and Nondestructive Examination — visual inspection, VT, PT, RT, UT, MT limitations,
acceptance criteria, inspection timing, indications, discontinuities, and repair.
10. Safety, Documentation, and Code Compliance — welding safety, records, WPS/PQR
documentation, welder records, inspection reports, nonconformance, corrective action, and
engineer/contractor responsibilities.
1.
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Which AWS structural welding code is specifically intended for welded structures where at least one
material is stainless steel?
A. AWS D1.1
B. AWS D1.2
C. AWS D1.6
D. AWS D1.9
Answer: C
Rationale: AWS D1.6 is the Structural Welding Code—Stainless Steel and addresses stainless-steel
structural welding requirements. (AWS Pubs)
2.
A fabricator receives a contract that specifically requires AWS D1.6 compliance for stainless-steel
structural weldments. What should the fabricator do first?
A. Ignore the code until inspection begins
B. Review the contract and applicable D1.6 requirements
C. Select any welding procedure already available
D. Begin welding without checking material requirements
, Page 3 of 141
Answer: B
Rationale: Contract documents establish the required code, and the applicable provisions must be
reviewed before fabrication begins.
3.
Why is careful cleaning especially important when preparing stainless-steel surfaces before welding
structural joints?
A. Cleaning increases the electrical voltage
B. Cleaning prevents contamination that can harm weld quality
C. Cleaning eliminates the need for shielding gas
D. Cleaning replaces the need for inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon-steel contamination, oils, dirt, and other contaminants can create welding problems
and damage stainless-steel performance.
4.
, Page 4 of 141
Which stainless-steel family includes commonly used grades such as 304 and 316 for many structural
applications?
A. Austenitic
B. Ferritic
C. Martensitic
D. Carbon steel
Answer: A
Rationale: Grades such as 304 and 316 are common austenitic stainless steels.
5.
A welder uses a carbon-steel wire brush on a stainless-steel joint before welding. What is the main
concern?
A. Excessive shielding gas flow
B. Carbon-steel contamination of the stainless surface
C. Excessive tungsten size
D. Reduced electrode diameter
Answer: B
AWS D1.6 Structural Stainless Steel Welding Exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
AWS D1.6 Structural Stainless Steel Welding Exam Practice Questions
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. D1.6 Scope, Definitions, and General Requirements — purpose, application, limitations,
responsibilities, terminology, contract requirements, and stainless-steel structural applications.
2. Stainless-Steel Base Metals and Material Identification — austenitic, ferritic, martensitic,
precipitation-hardening, duplex stainless steels, grades, thickness, material grouping, and
compatibility.
3. Welding Processes and Equipment — SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, SAW, stud welding,
equipment setup, polarity, shielding gas, electrodes, filler metals, and process controls.
4. Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Qualification — WPS requirements, prequalified
procedures, procedure qualification records, essential variables, test coupons, and qualification
limits.
5. Welder and Welding Operator Qualification — performance qualification, test positions, test
plates, process limitations, continuity, essential variables, and qualification records.
6. Joint Design and Welding Techniques — groove welds, fillet welds, CJP and PJP joints, joint
preparation, fit-up, root openings, backing, tack welds, sequencing, and distortion control.
7. Heat Control and Stainless-Steel Metallurgy — heat input, preheat, interpass temperature,
sensitization, chromium carbide precipitation, distortion, phase balance, and corrosion
resistance.
8. Fabrication, Workmanship, and Quality Control — cleaning, contamination prevention, storage,
handling, welding sequence, repairs, weld profiles, dimensional control, and finishing.
9. Inspection and Nondestructive Examination — visual inspection, VT, PT, RT, UT, MT limitations,
acceptance criteria, inspection timing, indications, discontinuities, and repair.
10. Safety, Documentation, and Code Compliance — welding safety, records, WPS/PQR
documentation, welder records, inspection reports, nonconformance, corrective action, and
engineer/contractor responsibilities.
1.
, Page 2 of 141
Which AWS structural welding code is specifically intended for welded structures where at least one
material is stainless steel?
A. AWS D1.1
B. AWS D1.2
C. AWS D1.6
D. AWS D1.9
Answer: C
Rationale: AWS D1.6 is the Structural Welding Code—Stainless Steel and addresses stainless-steel
structural welding requirements. (AWS Pubs)
2.
A fabricator receives a contract that specifically requires AWS D1.6 compliance for stainless-steel
structural weldments. What should the fabricator do first?
A. Ignore the code until inspection begins
B. Review the contract and applicable D1.6 requirements
C. Select any welding procedure already available
D. Begin welding without checking material requirements
, Page 3 of 141
Answer: B
Rationale: Contract documents establish the required code, and the applicable provisions must be
reviewed before fabrication begins.
3.
Why is careful cleaning especially important when preparing stainless-steel surfaces before welding
structural joints?
A. Cleaning increases the electrical voltage
B. Cleaning prevents contamination that can harm weld quality
C. Cleaning eliminates the need for shielding gas
D. Cleaning replaces the need for inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon-steel contamination, oils, dirt, and other contaminants can create welding problems
and damage stainless-steel performance.
4.
, Page 4 of 141
Which stainless-steel family includes commonly used grades such as 304 and 316 for many structural
applications?
A. Austenitic
B. Ferritic
C. Martensitic
D. Carbon steel
Answer: A
Rationale: Grades such as 304 and 316 are common austenitic stainless steels.
5.
A welder uses a carbon-steel wire brush on a stainless-steel joint before welding. What is the main
concern?
A. Excessive shielding gas flow
B. Carbon-steel contamination of the stainless surface
C. Excessive tungsten size
D. Reduced electrode diameter
Answer: B
