--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SMART INTERPRETATIONS ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Interpretations, Copyright, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Section IX - Welding and Brazing Qualifications --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Interpretation: IX-86-23 Subject: Section IX, QW-200.4, QW-306, and QW-407.4 Date Issued: March 21, 1986 File: BC-85-553 Question (1): A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) for a single welded joint was qualified using 1/2 in. thick base metal. GTAW was used for the first 1/8 in., and SMAW for the remaining 3/8 in. Will this PQR support a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) for deposited weld metal thicknesses of 1/4 in. and less using GTAW? Reply(1): Yes. Question (2): Will the PQR in Question (1) support a WPS for deposited weld metal thicknesses of 3/4 in. and less using SMAW? Reply (2): Yes. Question (3): Will the PQR in Question (1) qualify a WPS for first using SMAW on 3/4 in. and less deposited weld metal thickness followed by GTAW on 1/4 in. and less deposited weld metal thickness? Reply (3): Yes. Question (4): The welder who successfully welded the test coupon for the PQR in Question (1) is to be used to production weld. Is it necessary to qualify this welder so that he may use the WPS in Question (1) within the variables of QW-350? Reply (4): No. Question (5): Is it necessary to qualify this welder so that he may use the WPS in Question (2), where the WPS uses backing, within the variables of QW-350? Reply (5): No. Question (6): Is it necessary to qualify this welder so that he may use the WPS in Question (2) where the WPS does not have backing in a single-welded groove? Reply (6): Yes. Question (7): Is it necessary to qualify this welder so that he may use the WPS in Question (3) in a single-welded joint? Reply (7): Yes. Question (8): Is the GTAW weld deposit of the PQR considered the backing for the SMAW? Reply (8): Yes. Question (9): QW-407.5 uses the term "critical temperature range." Does critical temperature range mean above the upper transformation range? Reply (9): Yes.

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