How much of the filler metals must be sampled and tested before production welding in AWS D1.1?

In the context of AWS D1.1, which governs welding fabrication and inspection for steel structures, the requirement for sampling and testing filler metals before production welding is aligned with the understanding that certain materials, such as filler metals, may not necessitate pre-production testing under specific conditions.

When it is indicated that "none" of the filler metals must be sampled and tested prior to production welding, it typically assumes that the filler metals used are already qualified, meaning that they meet the necessary specifications and standards set out in AWS D1.1. This can often apply to filler metals that are widely accepted and used in the industry without further testing due to their established quality, provided that they are purchased from a reputable supplier and accompanied by appropriate certification or documentation.

This is intended to streamline the welding process, as excessive testing can delay production and increase costs without significantly improving quality when using proven materials. As long as the welding procedure specifications (WPS) and the base materials are qualified and compliant, the need for additional sampling and testing of filler metals can be waived. Thus, when filler metals are recognized as compliant, the requirement for pre-production sampling and testing does not apply, justifying the correct choice.