AWS PRGHF PDF
Introduction
Hardfacing is one category from the family of surfacing processes. Surfacing is defined in AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, as “The application by welding, brazing, or thermal spraying, of a layer, or layers, of material to a surface to obtain desired properties or dimensions, as opposed to making a joint.” The surfacing processes may be grouped as surface cladding, buildup, buttering, and hardfacing. These processes are defined as follows:
Cladding
A surfacing variation that deposits or applies surfacing material usually to improve corrosion or heat resistance.
Buildup
A surfacing variation in which surfacing material is deposited to achieve the required dimensions.
Buttering
A surfacing variation that deposits surfacing metal on one or more surfaces to provide metallurgically compatible weld metal for the subsequent completion of the weld.
Hardfacing
A surfacing variation in which surfacing material is deposited to reduce wear. (A nonstandard term for hardfacing is hard surfacing.)