Welding & Standards.
AWS codes, welder qualification, weld inspection, and the quality systems that gate defense-grade structural welding.
- Defense6 min
TIG vs MIG vs Spray-Arc Welding: When Each Process Wins for Defense Weldments
Process selection drives 30 to 50% of weldment cost and 100% of metallurgical outcome. Here's when TIG, MIG, and spray-arc each belong on a defense WPS, and how to specify them correctly at drawing release.
Apr 9, 2026 - Defense7 min
AWS D1.1 vs D1.6: When Your Welder Needs Both Code Qualifications
AWS D1.1 (2025) governs structural steel welding. AWS D1.6 governs stainless. Defense weldments mix both, and a D1.1-qualified welder cannot legally run D1.6 work without separate qualification.
Mar 26, 2026 - Defense6 min
AS9102 First Article Inspection: What a Defense FAI Should Contain
AS9102 Rev C governs first article inspection for aerospace and defense production parts. Three forms, specific evidence requirements, and the differences from PPAP every quality engineer should know.
Feb 13, 2026
See it on the floor.
Welding & Fabrication
AWS-certified welders, 9 codes covered. Real shop-floor capability behind the cluster's standards content.
ExploreQualityAWS Codes & Certifications
Full AWS code library + the ISO 9001:2015 / DFARS / ITAR cert stack referenced across these posts.
ExploreIndustryDefense
Where structural welding codes become procurement requirements: JLTV, naval, weapons support work.
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