Tests Required for Procedure Qualification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat are the Tests Required for Procedure Qualification as per ASME Section IX?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTypically, tension tests<\/strong> and bend tests<\/strong> are required to qualify a procedure. When toughness is a consideration, impact tests<\/strong> and drop weight<\/strong> tests also need to be included. The number of specimens differs depending on the base metal thickness in the test coupon.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen the procedure is to be qualified through a fillet weld test coupon, macro-examination of a number of cross sections of the coupon is the required test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The type and number of specimens required for various BM thicknesses are given in table QW-451. These tables also contain the range-qualified for the base metal thickness and the deposited weld metal thickness as well. The orientation of specimens and the acceptance criteria are defined in QW-150, QW-160, QW-170 and QW-180.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The manner of removal of samples is addressed in figures under QW-462.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tests Required for Fillet Weld Test Coupons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhich test is required for fillet weld procedure qualification as per ASME Sec IX?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe required tests have been stated in QW-452.3. Five specimens for macro-examination are required when the fillet is between two plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the fillet is between a pipe and plate, or, between a pipe and pipe, four specimens are required for macro-examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The method of testing and acceptance criteria is enshrined in QW-183.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Procedure Qualification for Pipe Welds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCan a Procedure Qualification Done on a Plate be Used for Pipe Welding? Or Vice Versa?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYes, it can. Section IX places no such restrictions on procedure qualifications. A PQR qualified on a plate can be very much used for welding a pipe, and vice-versa (IX-89-82). Not just this, a procedure qualified on a plate can be used to support welding on a pipe of any<\/em> diameter (provided you have a qualified welder<\/em> for that diameter, of course).<\/p>\n\n\n\nNote that this liberty is not thus for performance qualifications. A welder qualified on a plate can<\/em> weld on pipes, but with some restrictions (defined in QW-461.9). And vice-versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn simple words, pipe diameter is not an essential variable for procedure qualifications. The weld metal sitting in a pipe joint does not know that it is sitting between two pipes. So it will have the same mechanical properties as the weld metal sitting between two plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depositing sound weld metal in pipe joints is a skill<\/em>. It has therefore been taken as an essential variable for welder<\/em> qualifications. The mechanical properties of the weld metal do not get affected by whether it is sitting in a plate joint or a pipe joint. It has therefore not<\/em> been taken as an essential variable for procedure qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPipe Diameter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIs Pipe Diameter an Essential Variable for Procedure Qualifications?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAs explained in the above paragraph, pipe diameter is not an essential variable for procedure qualifications. This finds a mention in the interpretation IX-89-79 (qs 1) as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, this is all I have to offer right now on this subject. Procedure Qualifications is a vast subject and therefore not possible to cover in the scope of one article. Many other articles appear on this website addressing various aspects of PQRs and their qualification. It is a work in progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks for reading. Please do share your thoughts in the comments section below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In this article, I have discussed various aspects related to welding procedure qualification in accordance with ASME BPVC Section IX. These observations are borne out of almost a decade long personal experiences on this subject. What is a Welding Procedure Specification? Simply put, a WPS, short for Welding Procedure Specification, is a document (generally not … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[114,116],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWelding Procedure Qualification As Per ASME Section IX<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n