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MaterialWelding
Led by IWE, ASNT Level III & AWS-CWI Expert
The Engineering Standard

Bridge the Gap Between Theory & Field Application

A comprehensive library for Welding Engineers, Inspectors, and NDT Technicians. Access guides, How to Weld, and procedures.

Featured Resources

Certification

AWS CWI vs CSWIP vs IWIP: Which is Best?

Compare →
Drawings

Welding Symbols Chart & Explanations

View Chart →
Consumables

Welding Filler Metal Selection Chart

Use Chart →
Metallurgy

Welding P91 (9Cr-1Mo-V) Steels Explained

View Techniques →
Aluminum

How to Weld Aluminum: Definitive Guide

Read Guide →
Stainless

How to Weld Duplex Stainless Steel (2205)

Learn Basics →
Inspection

NDT Level 1, 2, & 3 Certification Explained

Read Levels →
Skills

How to Pass a 6G Pipe Welding Test

Get Tips →
Defects

Types of Weld Cracks & Prevention

Fix Cracks →
Electrodes

E6010 Rod: Uses, Amperage & Polarity

Read Specs →
Repair

Best Welding Rod for Cast Iron Repair

View Rods →
Testing

Hardness Testing Explained (Vickers, Rockwell)

Learn Tests →
Calculations

Heat Input Formula & Calculator

Calculate →
Process

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Guide

Learn Stick →
Basics

Welding Joints: Types, Symbols & Pictures

Learn Joints →
Certification

AWS CWI vs CSWIP vs IWIP: Which is Best?

Compare →
Drawings

Welding Symbols Chart & Explanations

View Chart →
Consumables

Welding Filler Metal Selection Chart

Use Chart →
Metallurgy

Welding P91 (9Cr-1Mo-V) Steels Explained

View Techniques →
Aluminum

How to Weld Aluminum: Definitive Guide

Read Guide →
Stainless

How to Weld Duplex Stainless Steel (2205)

Learn Basics →
Inspection

NDT Level 1, 2, & 3 Certification Explained

Read Levels →
Skills

How to Pass a 6G Pipe Welding Test

Get Tips →
Defects

Types of Weld Cracks & Prevention

Fix Cracks →
Electrodes

E6010 Rod: Uses, Amperage & Polarity

Read Specs →
Repair

Best Welding Rod for Cast Iron Repair

View Rods →
Testing

Hardness Testing Explained (Vickers, Rockwell)

Learn Tests →
Calculations

Heat Input Formula & Calculator

Calculate →
Process

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Guide

Learn Stick →
Basics

Welding Joints: Types, Symbols & Pictures

Learn Joints →
200+ Technical Articles
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Common Questions

Hover to pause and read

Certification

Difference between AWS CWI & CSWIP?

AWS CWI is the US standard (AWS D1.1), while CSWIP is the UK/International standard (TWI) used in Oil & Gas.

Read Comparison →
Calculation

How to calculate Heat Input?

Formula: (Volts × Amps × 60) / Travel Speed. It controls cooling rates and HAZ properties.

View Formula →
Drawing

How to read Welding Symbols?

Symbols have a reference line and arrow. Symbols below the line mean "Arrow Side", above mean "Other Side".

View Chart →
Electrodes

What does E7018 mean?

E=Electrode, 70=70ksi Tensile Strength, 1=All Positions, 8=Low Hydrogen Coating (AC/DCEP).

Full Guide →
Electrodes

E6010 Rod Uses?

E6010 is a cellulosic electrode used for deep penetration (roots) on DC+ polarity in pipelines.

E6010 Guide →
Defects

What causes Porosity in welds?

Trapped gas caused by moisture on electrodes, lack of shielding gas, or dirt/oil on the base metal.

Fix Porosity →
Process

Why do we Preheat steel?

To slow cooling rates and allow hydrogen to escape, preventing Hydrogen Induced Cracking (Cold Cracking).

Preheat Guide →
Practical

Can you weld Rebar?

Yes, if it is "Weldable Grade" (marked with a 'W'). Low carbon rebar requires specific preheat and low-hydrogen electrodes.

Rebar Guide →
Repair

Best rod for Cast Iron?

Nickel-based rods like ENi-CI (Nickel 99) or ENiFe-CI (Nickel 55) are best to prevent cracking.

Cast Iron Guide →
Materials

SS 316 Welding?

316 contains Molybdenum for corrosion resistance. It requires E316L filler wire to prevent carbide precipitation.

316 Guide →
Defects

What is Undercut?

A groove melted into the base metal at the weld toe, usually caused by high amps or incorrect travel speed.

Prevent Undercut →
Metallurgy

What is Carbon Equivalent (CE)?

A number calculating weldability. High CE (>0.40) means higher risk of cracking and need for preheat.

Understand CE →
Inspection

What are the main NDT methods?

Visual (VT), Dye Penetrant (PT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Ultrasonic (UT), and Radiography (RT).

NDT Guide →
Skills

What is the 6G Welding Position?

Pipe fixed at a 45° angle. It is the hardest test because it covers all positions (flat, vertical, overhead).

6G Tips →
Docs

What is an MTC?

Material Test Certificate. It certifies the chemical and mechanical properties of the steel/consumable.

Read MTC →
Advanced

How to weld Duplex Stainless?

Requires careful heat input control to maintain the Austenite/Ferrite balance. Use 2209 fillers for 2205.

Duplex Guide →
Defects

Types of Weld Cracks?

Hot Cracking (Solidification) happens during cooling. Cold Cracking (Hydrogen) happens hours/days later.

Crack Prevention →
Process

How to TIG Weld Aluminum?

Use AC polarity to clean the oxide layer. Use pure tungsten (Green) or Zirconiated (White) for older machines.

Alu TIG Guide →
Defects

Lack of Fusion vs Penetration?

Fusion is failure to bond with side walls. Penetration is failure to reach the root of the joint.

Read More →
Testing

What is Charpy Impact Testing?

A destructive test measuring a metal's toughness (energy absorption) at specific temperatures.

Test Guide →
Design

How to measure Fillet Weld?

Measured by Leg Length (side of triangle) or Throat Thickness (center to face). Throat = 0.707 × Leg.

Measure Welds →
Materials

Welding Corten (Weathering) Steel?

Use color-matching fillers (like E8018-W2) if the weld will be exposed. Standard E7018 works for non-exposed.

Corten Guide →
Advanced

Challenges of P91 Steel?

Requires strict Preheat, Interpass temp control, and immediate Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT).

P91 Guide →
Testing

Why test Weld Hardness?

High hardness in the HAZ indicates brittle microstructure susceptible to cracking. Limits are often 248 HV10.

Hardness Guide →
Certification

Difference between AWS CWI & CSWIP?

AWS CWI is the US standard (AWS D1.1), while CSWIP is the UK/International standard (TWI) used in Oil & Gas.

Read Comparison →
Calculation

How to calculate Heat Input?

Formula: (Volts × Amps × 60) / Travel Speed. It controls cooling rates and HAZ properties.

View Formula →
Drawing

How to read Welding Symbols?

Symbols have a reference line and arrow. Symbols below the line mean "Arrow Side", above mean "Other Side".

View Chart →
Electrodes

What does E7018 mean?

E=Electrode, 70=70ksi Tensile Strength, 1=All Positions, 8=Low Hydrogen Coating (AC/DCEP).

Full Guide →
Electrodes

E6010 Rod Uses?

E6010 is a cellulosic electrode used for deep penetration (roots) on DC+ polarity in pipelines.

E6010 Guide →
Defects

What causes Porosity in welds?

Trapped gas caused by moisture on electrodes, lack of shielding gas, or dirt/oil on the base metal.

Fix Porosity →
Process

Why do we Preheat steel?

To slow cooling rates and allow hydrogen to escape, preventing Hydrogen Induced Cracking (Cold Cracking).

Preheat Guide →
Practical

Can you weld Rebar?

Yes, if it is "Weldable Grade" (marked with a 'W'). Low carbon rebar requires specific preheat and low-hydrogen electrodes.

Rebar Guide →
Repair

Best rod for Cast Iron?

Nickel-based rods like ENi-CI (Nickel 99) or ENiFe-CI (Nickel 55) are best to prevent cracking.

Cast Iron Guide →
Materials

SS 316 Welding?

316 contains Molybdenum for corrosion resistance. It requires E316L filler wire to prevent carbide precipitation.

316 Guide →
Defects

What is Undercut?

A groove melted into the base metal at the weld toe, usually caused by high amps or incorrect travel speed.

Prevent Undercut →
Metallurgy

What is Carbon Equivalent (CE)?

A number calculating weldability. High CE (>0.40) means higher risk of cracking and need for preheat.

Understand CE →
Inspection

What are the main NDT methods?

Visual (VT), Dye Penetrant (PT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Ultrasonic (UT), and Radiography (RT).

NDT Guide →
Skills

What is the 6G Welding Position?

Pipe fixed at a 45° angle. It is the hardest test because it covers all positions (flat, vertical, overhead).

6G Tips →
Docs

What is an MTC?

Material Test Certificate. It certifies the chemical and mechanical properties of the steel/consumable.

Read MTC →
Advanced

How to weld Duplex Stainless?

Requires careful heat input control to maintain the Austenite/Ferrite balance. Use 2209 fillers for 2205.

Duplex Guide →
Defects

Types of Weld Cracks?

Hot Cracking (Solidification) happens during cooling. Cold Cracking (Hydrogen) happens hours/days later.

Crack Prevention →
Process

How to TIG Weld Aluminum?

Use AC polarity to clean the oxide layer. Use pure tungsten (Green) or Zirconiated (White) for older machines.

Alu TIG Guide →
Defects

Lack of Fusion vs Penetration?

Fusion is failure to bond with side walls. Penetration is failure to reach the root of the joint.

Read More →
Testing

What is Charpy Impact Testing?

A destructive test measuring a metal's toughness (energy absorption) at specific temperatures.

Test Guide →
Design

How to measure Fillet Weld?

Measured by Leg Length (side of triangle) or Throat Thickness (center to face). Throat = 0.707 × Leg.

Measure Welds →
Materials

Welding Corten (Weathering) Steel?

Use color-matching fillers (like E8018-W2) if the weld will be exposed. Standard E7018 works for non-exposed.

Corten Guide →
Advanced

Challenges of P91 Steel?

Requires strict Preheat, Interpass temp control, and immediate Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT).

P91 Guide →
Testing

Why test Weld Hardness?

High hardness in the HAZ indicates brittle microstructure susceptible to cracking. Limits are often 248 HV10.

Hardness Guide →