GOST 6996-66 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 6996-66 — "Welded joints. Methods of mechanical properties determination" (originally adopted 1966 / introduced 01.01.1967). The standard defines laboratory test methods and procedures for determining mechanical properties of welded joints, individual sections of joints and weld metal for all types of metal welding and their alloys.

Abstract

This interstate (GOST) standard specifies sampling, specimen shapes and dimensions, test types (tensile, bend, impact, hardness, etc.), measurement locations across weld, heat‑affected zone and base metal, and the calculation and reporting of results used to assess the mechanical behaviour and quality of welded joints and deposited metal. The document has undergone several amendments and has been aligned with related ISO test methods.

General information

• Status: In force / active (applies as an interstate GOST; listed as действующий in standard catalogues).
• Publication date: Approved 1966 (Decision 03.03.1966); date of introduction / effective date 01.01.1967.
• Publisher: Committee of Standards (Gosstandart USSR) / Interstate Council for Standardization; later maintained in GOST collections and by national bodies of CIS states.
• ICS / categories: ICS 25.160.40 (welding and allied processes / welded joints).
• Edition / version: GOST 6996-66 (changed edition with Amendments No.1,2,3,4 — amendments adopted in 1980, 1984, 1991 and 2004/2005; revised edition noted April 2005).
• Number of pages: Approximately 45–46 pages (published editions list 45–46 pp.).

Scope

The standard applies to tests performed to determine the mechanical characteristics of welded joints as a whole and of their separate parts (including weld metal and various zones of the heat‑affected zone) under static and dynamic loading. It is intended for use in product quality control, assessment of welding consumables and procedures, determination of weldability, and qualification of welding personnel and processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Types of tests specified: static tensile (short‑term), bend tests, impact tests, hardness measurements and visual/dimensional checks.
• Specimen shapes, sizes and extraction locations for each test type (including detailed cross‑sectional sampling through weld, HAZ and base metal).
• Requirements for test conditions, loading rates, measurement methods and calculation of mechanical properties (yield/conditional yield, ultimate strength, elongation, reduction of area, impact energy, hardness values in HV/HB/HR scales).
• Preference and procedures for hardness measurement (Vickers preferred; Brinell and Rockwell scales referenced) and recommended indenter loads for different zones.
• Reference and harmonization with related ISO standards for specific specimen geometries and tensile/bend testing of welded joints.

Typical use and users

Used by metallurgical and welding laboratories, manufacturers of welded structures, welding procedure qualification teams, certification bodies, research institutes and quality control departments to verify mechanical performance of welded assemblies, to develop/validate welding procedures and to qualify welders and welding consumables.

Related standards

Closely related and cross‑referenced documents include ISO 4136 (tensile testing of welded butt joints), ISO 5173 and ISO 5177 (weld testing procedures), and other GOSTs covering hardness measurement, specimen preparation and welding quality criteria. GOST 6996-66 replaced GOST 6996-54; multiple amendments have been issued to keep test methods aligned with international practice.

Keywords

welded joints, mechanical properties, tensile test, bend test, impact test, hardness (Vickers/Brinell/Rockwell), weld metal, heat‑affected zone (HAZ), specimen, weld testing, welding qualification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 6996-66 is a Soviet‑origin interstate standard that specifies laboratory methods for determining mechanical properties of welded joints and weld metal, first introduced 01 January 1967 (approved in 1966).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling and specimen preparation, tensile, bend and impact testing, hardness measurement procedures and reporting rules for welded joints, weld metal and heat‑affected zones across a wide range of welding types and base metals.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Welding laboratories, industrial manufacturers, quality control and inspection bodies, welding procedure qualification teams and research institutes working with welded structures and welding consumables.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Catalogues and databases list GOST 6996-66 as an active (действующий) standard with subsequent amendments; it has also been harmonized with specific ISO test methods. Users should check the national standards body or authorized distributors for the current status in their country and any later replacements or superseding documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the body of GOST standards for welding and welded joints and cross‑references multiple GOST and ISO documents that together form the testing and qualification framework for welded constructions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Welded joints, mechanical properties, tensile, bend, impact, hardness, weld metal, HAZ, specimen geometry, welding qualification.