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Welder Qualification Standard ASME

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Welder Qualification Standard ASME

GENERAL
QW. In performance qualification, the basic criteria established for welder qualification is to
determine the welder’s ability to deposit sound weld metal. The purpose of the performance
qualification test for the welding operator is to determine the welding operator’s mechanical
ability to operate the welding equipment.

QUALIFICATION STANDARD
 ASME SECTION IX
SECTION IX: This is the welding code referenced by American codes that deal with the
design and manufacturing of pressurized equipment.

QUALIFICATION PROCESS
 Welders must be qualified as per the rules of Section IX before they can weld on ASME
code equipment.
 Welders are qualified through the testing of weld coupons.
 Weld coupons are produced in accordance with the requirements of a Weld Procedure
Specification (WPS).
 A WPS is a standard operating procedure developed by the manufacturer that provides
the welder with instructions for producing welds that will meet all requirements.
 ASME Code Section IX defines specific “essential variables” for the weld processes
(methods used to achieve the weld joint, for e.g. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW),
Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), etc.) allowed by the Code. The WPS must define these
variables within the limits allowed.
The WPS must also be qualified, again this is done through the production of test coupons.
A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) records the actual values of the essential variables
and any other information that manufacturer wishes to document during the performance
of the test coupons used to qualify the WPS.
Essential variables that apply to the welder qualification test are listed by weld process.

Welder coding certificates must be signed every six months by a suitably qualified person to
confirm the welder is still producing welds of the required standard. You must be formally re-
tested at least every two years.

Welder Qualification Test

Weld made in test coupon may be examined by radiography or by visual and mechanical
examination.
All weld coupons must be visually inspected and undergo either mechanical testing or
radiographic testing to assess their acceptability. The welder’s qualification range and the
results of the coupon test are documented on a Welder Qualification Record (QWR) form.

Depending upon the skill and experience of the welder, he or she will have multiple QWR
forms. For example, to qualify to the full range of Meyer Tool’s WPS for cryogenic welding of
stainless steel, GTAW, a welder would have to perform at minimum nine (9) qualification tests.
 Mechanical Examination.
These specific tests on welds include longitudinal tensile tests, bend, hardness and impact tests.

 Radiographic Examination.
This method of weld testing makes use of X-rays, produced by an X-ray tube, or gamma rays,
produced by a radioactive isotope.

 Visual Examination
Visual inspection is a non-destructive testing (NDT) weld quality check process. During the
testing method, the weld is examined visually through the eyes to determine surface
discontinuities. Weld should show complete penetration and fusion
 WQR: Welding Qualification Requirement
 WPS: Weld Procedure Specification
 SWPS: Standard Welding procedure Specification
 P Number/ G Number: For Base Metal (S Number was removed by ASME
in 2009 as it is identical to P Number).
 F/A Number: Filler Metal/Electrode
 GTAW: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
 PAW: Plasma Arc Welding
 SAW: Submerged Arc Welding
 PAW: Plasma Arc Welding
 GMAW: Gas Metal Arc Welding
 SMAW: Shield Metal Arc Welding
 PWHT: Post Weld Heat Treatment (It reduces the levels of tensile stresses
in a joint)
 For Groove and fillet welding positions (G & F) Types of Welding Positions, 1G, 2G,
3G, 4G, 5G, 6G/6GR Joint Types (weldinginfo.org) 5 Different Types of Welding Positions
[Pictures & PDF] (theengineerspost.com)
 Weld test coupon are in the form of pipes and plates for companies who are getting their
weld procedures qualified and welders certified.

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