opic: Related to ASME SECTION IX WELDING

1. What is WPS?
Answer: WPS stands for Welding Procedure Specification. A WPS is a written
document that provides direction to the welder or welding operator for making production
welds in accordance with code requirement.
(Refer: ASME Sec IX; QW:100.1)
2. What is PQR?
Answer: PQR stands for procedure qualification record. The PQR documents what
occurred during welding the test coupon and the results of testing of the coupon.
3. Why a WPS needs qualification?
Answer: The purpose for qualification of a WPS is to determine that the weldment
proposed for construction is capable of providing the required properties for its intended
application.
Welding Procedure Qualification establishes the properties of the weldment not the skill
of the welder or welding operator.
4. Why a performance qualification is done for welder?
Answer: In performance qualification, the basic criteria established for welder
qualification is to determine the welders ability to deposit sound weld metal. The purpose
of the performance qualification test for the welding operator is to determine the welding
operators mechanical ability to operate the welding equipment.
5. Is there any expiry date for WPS/PQR/WPQ/WOPQ?
Answer: NO.
WPS, PQR, WPQ/WOPQ made in accordance with the requirements of the 1962 edition
or any later edition of section IX may be used in any construction built to the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code or the ASME B 31 Code for pressure piping.

opic: Related to ASME SECTION IX WELDING

1. How many studs are to be welded for procedure qualification of stud
weld test?
Answer: Ten Studs; as per QW 192.1.1
2. Any requirement for stud welding equipment for procedure qualification
as per ASME Sec IX?

Answer: The equipment used for stud welding shall be completely automatic except
for manual starting.
3. What are the test to be done for the procedure qualification of stud
welding?
Answer:
1. Every other welding stud (five joints) shall be tested either by hammering over
until one fourth of its length is flat on the test piece, or by bending the stud to an
angle of atleast 15 degree and returning it to its original position using a test jig and
an adapter location dimension that are in accordance with figure QW-466.4
2. The remaining five welded stud joints shall be tested in torque using a torque
testing arrangement that is substantially in accordance with figure QW466.5. Alternatively where torquing is not feasible, tensile strength test may be used.
4. What is the acceptance criteria for bend and hammer tests?
Answer: In order to pass the test(s), each of the five stud welds and heat affected
zones shall be free of visible separation or fracture after bending and return bending
or after hammering.
5. What is the acceptance criteria for torque tests?
Answer: In order to pass the test(s), each of the five stud welds shall be subjected to the
required torque shown in the table, which is given with QW 192.1.3

1. Can NDT be used to replace mechanical testing for the

perfomance qualification of welders?
Answer: Yes
AS per QW-142, Radiographic or ultrasonic examination may be substituted
for mechanical testing for groove-weld performance qualification as
permitted in QW-304 to prove the ability of welders to make sound welds.
As per QW-304. Welders may be qualified by volumetric NDE when making a
groove weld using SMAW, SAW, GTAW, PAW and GMAW (except
short circuiting mode for radiographic examination) or a combination of these
process, except for P.No.21 through P No.26, P.No.51 through P No.53,
and P.No.61 through P No.62 metals.
Welders making groove welds in P.No.21 through P No.26 and P.No.51 through P No.53
metals with the GTAW process may also be qualified by volumetric NDE
2. Can NDT be used to replace mechanical testing for the
perfomance qualification of welding operator?

Answer: Yes
AS per QW-142, Radiographic or ultrasonic examination may be substituted
for mechanical testing for groove-weld performance qualification as
permitted in QW-305 to prove the ability of welding operators to make sound
welds.
As per QW-305. Welding operators may be qualified by volumetric NDE when
making a groove weld using SMAW, SAW, GTAW, PAW, EGW and GMAW
(except short circuiting mode for radiographic examination) or a combination
of these process, except for P.No.21 through P No.26, P.No.51 through P No.53,
and P.No.61 through P No.62 metals.
Welding operators making groove welds in P.No.21 through P No.26 and P.No.51
through P No.53 metals with the GTAW process may also be qualified by volumetric
NDE

3. Is a written radiographic examination procedure is needed for

welders/welding operator qualification using radiographic
examination?
Answer: No
As per QW-191.1.1 (a), A written radiographic examination procedure is not
required. Demonstration of density and image quality requirements on
production or technique radiographs shall be considered satisfactory
evidence of compliance with article 2 of sectionV.
4. Is a written ultrasonic examination procedure is needed for
welders/welding operator qualification using ultrasonic examination?
Answer: Yes
As per QW-191.2.1 (b), Ultrasonic examination shall be performed using a
written procedure verified by the manufacturer to be in compliance with
paragraph T-150, Article1, Section V and the requirements of Article 4,
Section V for methods, procedure and qualification.
5. Is there any base material thickness restriction for ultrasonic
examination of test coupons of welders and welding operators?
Answer: Yes
As per QW-191.2.1 (a), The ultrasonic examination for welder and welding

operators may be conducted on test welds in material 1/2in. (13mm) thick or

greater.
1. Is WPS, PQR or WPQ/WOPQ need to be amended for using it
according to a later edition of ASME BPV Section IX?
Answer: No. Except as specified in QW:420 (Last Paragraph)
2. What are the different type of mechanical tests used in procedure
or performance qualification as per ASME Section IX?
Answer: 1. Tension test. 2. Guided bend test. 3. Fillet weld test 4. Notch
toughness test
3. Why the different mechanical tests are conducted for procedure
or performance qualification as oer ASME Section IX?
Answer:
1. Tension test: Used to determine the ultimate strength of grrove-weld joints
2. Guided bend test: Used to determine the degree of soundness and ductility
of groove-weld joints.
3. Fillet weld test: Used to determine the size , contour and degre of
soundness of fillet welds.
4. Notch toughness test: Used to determine the notch toughness of the
weldment
4. What are the tests done for stud welding procedure
and performance qualification ?
Answer: Deflection bend, hammering, torque or tension tests and macro
examination.
5. What is the first test that to be done on a procedure
or performance qualification test coupon ?
Answer: Visual Testing.