validity of a welder<\/a>\u2019s cladding qualifications be extended for six months based on his engagement on groove welds, with the same process? Note that the cladding in question has a chemistry requirement specified on the WPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat about vice versa? If the welder engages only in cladding welding for six months, does that extend the validity of his groove welds too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The answer is quite uncomplicated. QW 322.1 (1) unambiguously states that welder should have welded with that \u2018process\u2019. As long as the welder\u2019s cladding qualification and groove weld qualifications have been done with the same process<\/em> (say, both are with SMAW), welding on one kind of joints extends the welder\u2019s Performance Qualifications\u2019 validity for the other kind as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe ASME has issued several Interpretations to establish the above understanding. A few of them are – IX-17-26, IX-86-82 (Q2) and IX-92-22 (Q1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, say, the validity of one or more qualifications described above has expired<\/em>. In order to renew the validity of expired qualifications, a welder need not make separate test coupons. A groove weld test coupon made in accordance with QW 322.2 would renew the validity of his cladding qualifications too.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOccasionally, in my shop, it so happens that a welder possesses only a groove weld qualification. Due to some reason, the validity of his qualification expires. Due to production requirement, it is now required to qualify him for cladding. The welder passes all acceptance criteria in the cladding test coupon. Does this renew his groove weld qualification too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes it does. Doing so meets the requirements of QW 322.2 (a), and so, why not? There is an Interpretation validating this understanding. Addressing a similar question in IX-86-50, the reply given by ASME was in the affirmative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n