This standard prescribes a standard weld test assembly, a standard method of test specimen preparation, and two standard methods of analysis for determination of diffusible hydrogen from martensitic, bainitic, and ferritic steel weld metals. The methods of preparation are suitable for shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored arc, and submerged arc welding processes. Extension of the methods of preparation to other processes, such as gas tungsten arc or plasma arc welding, are possible.

It is not the intent of this standard directly herein to classify arc welding electrodes, fluxes, and gases according to the hydrogen content of welds produced from them. However, it is the intent of this standard that it be used as the standard test method for classification purposes to be referenced in individual filler metal specifications prepared by the AWS Committee on Filler Metal and its subcommittees.

In addition to its use for electrode classification purposes, it is the intent of this standard that it be used for quality conformance testing of arc welding electrodes, fluxes, and gases.

It is recommended that this standard be used for developing and reporting research results so that the results may be directly compared with those from other laboratories.

For purposes of electrode classification and quality conformance testing, any requirement established based on the use of this standard must also be based on a reference atmospheric condition. If a reference condition is not specified in conjunction with diffusible hydrogen requirements in the individual consumable standards, the recommended reference condition in 6.6 shall be used.