The bend test is a simple and inexpensive qualitative test that can be used to evaluate both the ductility and soundness of a material. It is often used as a quality control test for butt-welded joints, having the advantage of simplicity of both test piece and equipment. The bend test may be free formed or guided. The guided bend test is where the coupon is wrapped around a former of a specified diameter and is the type of test specified in the welding procedure and welder qualification specifications. For example, it may be a requirement in ASME IX, ISO 9606 and ISO 15614 Part … Continue reading PQR – Bending test requirements (AWS D1.1, ASME IX or API)

Sometime we need qualify for welder to carry out a Fillet weld only. Have some following reason to perform this test. + New welder who have not too much skill to perform 1 groove weld test + The job just require a Fillet test only ( welding support… ) + Not require good welder with high skill + Saving the training time for welder + … So, we need to qualify welder for Fillet weld. As we know 1 welder is certified for grooves weld, it means he is certified for Fillet weld also. Now, how to do this test? We will carry … Continue reading Welder qualification for Fillet weld following ASME IX

Now we will continue these steps to carry out Qualify Welder! Welder qualification to perform the work follows an Approved WPS ( welding procedure specification. It has some steps as below: 1)  Code & standard apply for testing: In this case we use: ASME IX 2) Witness for Welder testing: Each performance qualification welder testing shall be done under full supervise and control by a third party. Normally, it is Classification ( ABS / BV/ DNV-GL, LR, KR… ) This party have to sign on welder card / welder cert after the welder pass examination. 3)  Train The Welder For The Process To Be Qualified:– … Continue reading Welder qualification follow ASME IX- Part 3: How to carry out a Welder qualification!!!

Following the discussion in Part 1: Welder qualification follow ASME IX- Part 1: Genenral Now we continue with the concerns on Essential Variable for Welder qualification status in Certification and Welding limitation at the site. 1) Essential variable ( QW-351 ) – for welder: – A welder shall be requalified whenever a change is made in one or more of the essential variables listed for each welding process. – Take an example for GTAW process: ( for other welding process, we do same thing, check each variable to know what happen on it when we change them ). + Joints: QW-402.4 states the … Continue reading Welder qualification follow ASME IX- Part 2: Essential Variable for Welder Qualification!

With this part, we will know GENERAL about Welder qualification follow ASME IX. 1)  Main purpose for Welder qualification: – To verify the skill of an individual to preform a qualified welding procedure specification ( WPS ) to produce a good weld. – Welders qualify to specific welding process NOT welding procedures ( need note this one: welding process & welding procedure ) – Welding process:             • Welder: have SMAW / GTAW / FCAW / GMAW …             • Welding operators : SAW… – Welding types:                • MANUAL / SEMI-AUTOMATIC – Welders … Continue reading Welder qualification follow ASME IX- Part 1: Genenral

During reading between code D1.1 & ASME IX, a confusion point about welder qualification testing method RT/UT can be carried out in spite of Bend test. Note: From Asme IX extract, there’s no mention about the RT test can be used as alternatives for welder qualification in FCAW process. But as per the Interpretation, it can be used. ENJOY! Note that: If the welding with unlist material, the procedure of Welder qualification to be follow as required in table 452.1 (a) Continue reading FCAW Welder may be qualified by volumetric NDE?

NOTE: APPLYING ONLY ON ASME IX GTAW PIPING WELDING Some contractors use the essential variable tables (QW-352 thru 357) to minimize their costs. For instance, they might test the welder for stainless steel material by using carbon steel material. Consider the actual project material is stainless steel and you do not want to waste stainless steel material for testing. You ask the welder to weld in carbon steel material but with stainless steel filler metal. Based on the essential variable table P number 1 (Carbon Steel) qualifies P 8 (Stainless Steel), and the F number is the same. So you … Continue reading GTAW CS TO SS SOLUTION

The most common control points for welder performance are: Welding position Base metal F-No of Electrode/Filler Backing inert condition Pre-Heating prior to next weld (special interval between shifts) Electrode storage condition The qualified thickness Refer to the ASME IX & D1.1 extract as below: D1.1 WELDER PERFORMANCE POSITION AND VARIABLES IX WELDER PERFORMANCE POSITION AND VARIABLES Key Note on Down-hill welding: Normally, the Downhill welding should be avoided in design to prevent any mis-observed defects and make it sound welding practices on-board. Following the Code requirement, the changes in welding position is extracted as below: ASME IX : Down-hill welding … Continue reading WELDING POSITION AND WPQR VARIABLES