The surface of a member in contact with or near another member to be joined is known as?

The faying surface refers to the area of a member that is in contact with or near another member that will be joined through welding, fastening, or other joining processes. Understanding this term is crucial in welding practices, as the quality of the faying surface directly affects the integrity of the weld. If the faying surfaces are not properly prepared, contaminants or imperfections can undermine the effectiveness of the joint, leading to potential failure.

In contrast, the joining surface can refer more generally to the surfaces of any two members being brought together for any type of assembly, not just those that are welded. The weld face specifically refers to the side of the weld that is exposed to the atmosphere or that is visible after welding, and does not directly pertain to the surfaces in contact before welding. Interface surface is often used to describe the area of interaction between different materials but is less specific and less commonly used in welding contexts compared to the term faying surface.