Welding Procedure Qualification Steps As a summary, welding inspector may be involved with each of the following steps or only a few depend on the structure of the particular organisation Select welding variables Check equipment and materials for suitability Monitor weld joint fit up as well as actual welding, recording all important variables and observations
Welding Procedure Qualification Steps Select, identify the required test specimens Test and evaluate specimens Review test results for compliance with applicable code requirement Release approved procedure for production Qualify individual welders in accordance with this specification Monitor the procedure during production to assure that it continues to produce satisfactory results
QUALIFICATION OF WELDER
Welder Qualification An important document to Determine whether individual welders have sufficient skill to produce satisfactory welds using a qualified procedure Starting point is having a qualified procedure, then, test welders Like procedure qualification, essential variables are existed, they are include:
Welder Qualification Welding position The range of qualification may vary with the different weld configuration including plate groove plate fillet and pipe groove (BS EN) Example on qualification on plate groove only provides limited coverage for welding on pipe Welder is automatically qualified for all positions of plate if he/she is being qualified on plate groove in 3G and 4G positions
Welder Qualification Joint configuration An essential variable Standard test plates and pipe are used to approximately the necessary configuration
Welder Qualification Electrode type and size Re-qualification is required for some processes if a change in the type of electrode specified In case of SMAW, qualification with an electrode with higher number (F4) will automatically qualify with lower number (F1)
Welder Qualification Base metals and thickness Another important essential variable Determines what type of base metals and their extent of thickness will be coverage from a specific qualification test Refer AWS D1.1, qualification on 3/8 test plate will qualify a welder for welding material up to 3/4 thick and so called as a limited thickness qualification Successful qualified on a 1 test plate will qualify for any thickness greater than 1/8 and termed as unlimited thickness qualification
Welder Qualification Specific welding technique Considered as essential variables Typical technique related essential variables may include Direction of welding (down hill or uphill) Change in welding processes Change in welding position Change in base metal type
BE EN 287-1 : 2011 Qualification test of welders Fusion Welding Part 1 Steels
BS EN 287-1 : 2011 List essential variables and range of qualification Welding processes (ISO 857) Product Type (Cover range between plate & pipe) Type of weld (Cover range between butt & fillet weld) Material groups Filler material Dimensions (thickness cover range) Welding position (EN ISO 6947) Weld details Test Pieces Joint Configuration
BS EN 287-1 : 2011 Examination and acceptance Criteria Preparation of test specimens (DT) Test methods
Type of Weld Butt weld cover butt weld in any type of joint except branch connection Butt welds do not qualify fillet welds or vice versa When a welder is qualified by butt weld test, a supplementary fillet weld test piece can be welded which shall be in a plate thickness of at least 10mm and completed using a single layer in the PB position. For this supplementary test the welder shall become qualify for all fillet welds as given for the butt weld qualification
Summary Inspector may be asked to witness the actual welding to verify procedure compliance as well as note the ability of the welder Removal and evaluation of test specimens are according to the applicable code
Summary Once qualified, the welder will be permitted to weld as long as that welding does not exceed the limited of essential variables involve positions, thicknesses, electrodes, etc. Welder may, however, be required to requalify or undergo training if unsatisfactory performance is noted by the inspector or other supervisory personnel.
Welder Qualification Test Certificate
Q & A The End
Electrode Classification Groupings Group Designation AWS Electrode Classification
Order of Removal
Type and Number of Test Specimens Required for ASME Procedure Qualification of Butt Welds
Order of Removal Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon
Order of Removal Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon
Order of Removal Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon
Order of Removal Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon