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CWB WELDING INSPECTOR LEVEL 2 EXAM
2026/2027 | WELDING INSPECTOR | 100 VERIFIED
Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: ADVANCED WELDING METALLURGY - Questions 1-15
Q1: Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) Definition
The student is reviewing welding metallurgy. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) is:
A. The area of base metal that has been melted and resolidified
B. The area of base metal that has not been melted but whose microstructure and properties have
been altered by welding heat
C. The weld metal itself
D. The area of filler metal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The HAZ is the portion of the base metal that is not melted but undergoes microstructural
changes due to the heat of welding. These changes can affect mechanical properties and corrosion
resistance. Option A describes the fusion zone. Option C is the weld metal. Option D is incorrect.
[100% CORRECT]
Q2: Carbon Equivalent
The student is reviewing weldability. The carbon equivalent (CE) formula is used to:
A. Predict the hardness of the weld metal
B. Assess the susceptibility of steel to hydrogen cracking
C. Determine the tensile strength of the weld
D. Calculate the heat input
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon equivalent combines the effects of carbon and other alloying elements to
estimate weldability and cracking susceptibility. Higher CE generally increases hardenability and
cracking risk. It does not directly predict weld metal hardness or tensile strength. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Hydrogen Cracking Mechanism
The student is reviewing cracking. Hydrogen cracking (cold cracking) typically occurs:
A. During solidification of the weld
B. After welding, often hours later, due to hydrogen diffusion and residual stress
,2
C. Only in aluminum alloys
D. Only in the weld metal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrogen cracking is a delayed cracking phenomenon that occurs after the weld has
cooled, often within 24-48 hours. It requires hydrogen, susceptible microstructure, and tensile
stress. It can occur in the HAZ or weld metal. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Solidification Cracking
The student is reviewing cracking. Solidification cracking (hot cracking) is most likely to occur:
A. In the HAZ
B. In the weld metal during solidification
C. After post-weld heat treatment
D. In the base metal far from the weld
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hot cracking occurs in the weld metal during solidification when low-melting-point
constituents (e.g., sulfur, phosphorus) form films along grain boundaries. It is influenced by weld
metal composition and solidification rate. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Lamellar Tearing
The student is reviewing defects. Lamellar tearing occurs:
A. In the weld metal
B. In the HAZ
C. In the base metal, often in the through-thickness direction of plates
D. Only in aluminum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lamellar tearing is a step-like fracture that occurs in the base metal due to through-
thickness stresses, typically in T-joints or corner joints where the plate has low through-thickness
ductility. It is related to non-metallic inclusions. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Reheat Cracking
The student is reviewing cracking. Reheat cracking is associated with:
A. Post-weld heat treatment or high-temperature service
B. Rapid cooling after welding
C. Solidification
D. Mechanical fatigue
Correct Answer: A
, 3
Rationale: Reheat cracking occurs in the HAZ of certain steels (e.g., Cr-Mo, vanadium-modified)
during PWHT or elevated-temperature service. It is caused by relaxation of residual stresses and
precipitation hardening. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Sensitization
The student is reviewing stainless steel. Sensitization in austenitic stainless steel occurs when:
A. Chromium carbides precipitate at grain boundaries, depleting chromium and reducing corrosion
resistance
B. The steel is heated above its melting point
C. The steel is rapidly cooled
D. The steel is cold worked
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sensitization occurs when stainless steel is heated in the range of 425-815°C, causing
chromium carbides to precipitate at grain boundaries. This depletes chromium in the adjacent areas,
making them susceptible to intergranular corrosion. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Stabilized Stainless Steel
The student is reviewing stainless steel. Which elements are added to stainless steel to prevent
sensitization?
A. Nickel and molybdenum
B. Titanium and niobium (columbium)
C. Carbon and nitrogen
D. Copper and aluminum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Titanium and niobium are strong carbide formers that preferentially combine with
carbon, preventing chromium carbide precipitation and sensitization. These are called stabilized
grades (e.g., 321, 347). [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Sigma Phase
The student is reviewing stainless steel. Sigma phase in stainless steel is:
A. A hard, brittle intermetallic phase that can form during high-temperature exposure
B. A soft, ductile phase
C. A type of carbide
D. A corrosion product
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sigma phase is a hard, brittle intermetallic compound (Fe-Cr) that forms in some stainless
steels (e.g., 300 series, duplex) after prolonged exposure to 600-900°C. It reduces toughness and
corrosion resistance. [100% CORRECT]
CWB WELDING INSPECTOR LEVEL 2 EXAM
2026/2027 | WELDING INSPECTOR | 100 VERIFIED
Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: ADVANCED WELDING METALLURGY - Questions 1-15
Q1: Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) Definition
The student is reviewing welding metallurgy. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) is:
A. The area of base metal that has been melted and resolidified
B. The area of base metal that has not been melted but whose microstructure and properties have
been altered by welding heat
C. The weld metal itself
D. The area of filler metal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The HAZ is the portion of the base metal that is not melted but undergoes microstructural
changes due to the heat of welding. These changes can affect mechanical properties and corrosion
resistance. Option A describes the fusion zone. Option C is the weld metal. Option D is incorrect.
[100% CORRECT]
Q2: Carbon Equivalent
The student is reviewing weldability. The carbon equivalent (CE) formula is used to:
A. Predict the hardness of the weld metal
B. Assess the susceptibility of steel to hydrogen cracking
C. Determine the tensile strength of the weld
D. Calculate the heat input
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carbon equivalent combines the effects of carbon and other alloying elements to
estimate weldability and cracking susceptibility. Higher CE generally increases hardenability and
cracking risk. It does not directly predict weld metal hardness or tensile strength. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Hydrogen Cracking Mechanism
The student is reviewing cracking. Hydrogen cracking (cold cracking) typically occurs:
A. During solidification of the weld
B. After welding, often hours later, due to hydrogen diffusion and residual stress
,2
C. Only in aluminum alloys
D. Only in the weld metal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrogen cracking is a delayed cracking phenomenon that occurs after the weld has
cooled, often within 24-48 hours. It requires hydrogen, susceptible microstructure, and tensile
stress. It can occur in the HAZ or weld metal. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Solidification Cracking
The student is reviewing cracking. Solidification cracking (hot cracking) is most likely to occur:
A. In the HAZ
B. In the weld metal during solidification
C. After post-weld heat treatment
D. In the base metal far from the weld
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hot cracking occurs in the weld metal during solidification when low-melting-point
constituents (e.g., sulfur, phosphorus) form films along grain boundaries. It is influenced by weld
metal composition and solidification rate. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Lamellar Tearing
The student is reviewing defects. Lamellar tearing occurs:
A. In the weld metal
B. In the HAZ
C. In the base metal, often in the through-thickness direction of plates
D. Only in aluminum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lamellar tearing is a step-like fracture that occurs in the base metal due to through-
thickness stresses, typically in T-joints or corner joints where the plate has low through-thickness
ductility. It is related to non-metallic inclusions. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Reheat Cracking
The student is reviewing cracking. Reheat cracking is associated with:
A. Post-weld heat treatment or high-temperature service
B. Rapid cooling after welding
C. Solidification
D. Mechanical fatigue
Correct Answer: A
, 3
Rationale: Reheat cracking occurs in the HAZ of certain steels (e.g., Cr-Mo, vanadium-modified)
during PWHT or elevated-temperature service. It is caused by relaxation of residual stresses and
precipitation hardening. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Sensitization
The student is reviewing stainless steel. Sensitization in austenitic stainless steel occurs when:
A. Chromium carbides precipitate at grain boundaries, depleting chromium and reducing corrosion
resistance
B. The steel is heated above its melting point
C. The steel is rapidly cooled
D. The steel is cold worked
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sensitization occurs when stainless steel is heated in the range of 425-815°C, causing
chromium carbides to precipitate at grain boundaries. This depletes chromium in the adjacent areas,
making them susceptible to intergranular corrosion. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Stabilized Stainless Steel
The student is reviewing stainless steel. Which elements are added to stainless steel to prevent
sensitization?
A. Nickel and molybdenum
B. Titanium and niobium (columbium)
C. Carbon and nitrogen
D. Copper and aluminum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Titanium and niobium are strong carbide formers that preferentially combine with
carbon, preventing chromium carbide precipitation and sensitization. These are called stabilized
grades (e.g., 321, 347). [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Sigma Phase
The student is reviewing stainless steel. Sigma phase in stainless steel is:
A. A hard, brittle intermetallic phase that can form during high-temperature exposure
B. A soft, ductile phase
C. A type of carbide
D. A corrosion product
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sigma phase is a hard, brittle intermetallic compound (Fe-Cr) that forms in some stainless
steels (e.g., 300 series, duplex) after prolonged exposure to 600-900°C. It reduces toughness and
corrosion resistance. [100% CORRECT]
