How to verify welder qualification to ASME IX code

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

First Words

Welding and welding inspection engineers often need to verify the welder qualification for a welding job he is going to do. Welder can belong to their company or provided by the fabricator, constructor need to carry out a welding job. The first thing to do is to obtain the WPQ for the welder. WPQ itself contains all the approval ranges and verification can be done straight away whether he is qualified or requires requalification. However in some case, WPQ is condensed in a card form which welders w keep with them while doing the job and welding engineers and inspectors need to verify whether they are doing the same job for which they are qualified. That condensed information should enlist all the essential variables which upon any change call for a requalification. Still, understanding of the essential variables is required to verify welder qualification. On to this, correct information of F-numbers which is critical for welding performance qualifications is required. This document will help you yo in verifying the welders qualification according to the requirements of ASME Sec. IX.

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Essential variables of welding performance qualifications

The first thing to know about is the essential variables for welding performance qualification. Only after er understanding each essential variable, you would be able to verify if the welder is qualified for a new welding job or not. Please note that essential variables are different for different welding processes.

Change up or down for vertical welds

Removing backing material Change in pipe diameter

Addition in welding position

SMAW
Change in weld deposit thickness Change in F-number

Change in P-number

See for shielded metal arc welding, th there ere are seven essential variables which must be verified to see if the welder is qualified to do your job. Not a single one should be ignored or missed out while verification. There are cases when peop people miss an essential variable or they confuse them Fig. 1 Representation of properties linked with Ferrite Number with the essential variable of procedure qualification. L Like ike removal of backing material is an essential variable means if the qualification was done with backing then the welder cannot weld without backing material. However this variable doesnt affect proced procedure ure qualification. Similarly, change in pipe diameter is an essential variable for welder qualification and not for procedure qualification. Change in F F-numbers numbers is an essential variable for welding procedure and well as for welder qualification. Every sin single gle essential variable is being discussed on the next pages.

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Change in P-number number

P-number number is an essential variable of welder qualification with few exceptions. WeldPulse software helps you in calculating the approval ranges for different P P-numbers as shown hown below:

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Change in F-number
Except few exceptions a change in F F-number requires re-qualification. qualification. The exceptions associated are for different F-numbers numbers with /without backing. Like a welder qualified with F-number F 4 without backing is qualified to work with F F-number 1, 2 and 3 with backing and with F-number F 4 with or without backing. WeldPulse software helps you in looking for the approval range of FF number as shown below:

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Change in weld eld deposit thickness

Change in weld deposit thickness is also an essential variable for welder qualification. Its approval range needs to be complied with. Following are the images showing how WeldPulse provides the approval ranges.

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Addition in welding elding position

An addition in welding position is an e essential ssential variable. Any addition should be assessed as per ASME IX requirements and then welder may or may not need requalification. For example, if a welder is qualified on a plate with groove joint in 3G, he is qualified to weld in flat and vertical position ion for plate and pipe over 24 in OD. Below this diameter till 2 2-7/8 7/8 OD, he can weld in flat position only.

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Change up p or down for ver vertical welds

Except cover or wash pass, upward or downward progression for any vertical weld requires requalification.

Removal of backing acking material

The removal of backing material in single welded groove welds requires requalification. Double welder groove welds are considered welding with backing.

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

GTAW Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

For GTAW, there are 12 essential varia variables. . Common essential variables for SMAW and GTAW processes are not discussed again. Only the variables which are different in GTAW are discussed.

Removal of backing Change in material current or polarity Deletion of backing gas Change up or down for vertical welds

Change in pipe diameter Change in P-number

GTAW
Change in product form Addition or deletion of inserts

Addition or deletion of filler metal

Addition in welding position Change in weld deposit thickness

Change in F-number

Addition or deletion of filler metal

Addition or deletion of filler metal is an essential variable. If a welder is qualified with filler metal then he is not qualified to weld without filler and vice versa.

Addition or deletion of inserts

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Change in product form

Deletion of backing gas

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How ow to verify welder qualification to ASME IX

Final Words
While managing welders for welding job, it is pertinent to know about the essential variables for the welding processes they are qualified to weld with. This knowledge helps in understanding the changing scenarios while managing them and using on several o other ther welding jobs. WeldPulse software provides you a competitive edge in verifying a welders qualification in lesser time.

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