Welding Procedure Qualification Steps

As a summary, welding inspector may be

involved with each of the following steps or
only a few depend on the structure of the
particular organisation
Select welding variables
Check equipment and materials for suitability
Monitor weld joint fit up as well as actual welding,

recording all important variables and observations

Welding Procedure Qualification Steps

Select, identify the required test specimens

Test and evaluate specimens

Review test results for compliance with applicable
code requirement
Release approved procedure for production

Qualify individual welders in accordance with this

specification
Monitor the procedure during production to assure
that it continues to produce satisfactory results

QUALIFICATION
OF
WELDER

Welder Qualification
An important document to Determine whether

individual welders have sufficient skill to produce

satisfactory welds using a qualified procedure
Starting point is having a qualified procedure, then,
test welders
Like procedure qualification, essential variables are
existed, they are include:

Welder Qualification

Welding position

The range of qualification may vary with the

different weld configuration including
plate groove
plate fillet and
pipe groove

(BS EN)

Example on qualification on plate groove only

provides limited coverage for welding on pipe
Welder is automatically qualified for all
positions of plate if he/she is being qualified
on plate groove in 3G and 4G positions

Welder Qualification
Joint configuration
An essential variable
Standard test plates and pipe
are
used to approximately the necessary
configuration

Welder Qualification
Electrode type and size
Re-qualification

is

required

for

some

processes if a change in the type of

electrode specified
In case of SMAW, qualification with an
electrode

with

higher

number

(F4)

automatically qualify with lower number (F1)

will

Welder Qualification
Base metals and thickness
Another important essential variable

Determines what type of base metals and their

extent of thickness will be coverage from a
specific qualification test
Refer AWS D1.1, qualification on 3/8 test plate
will qualify a welder for welding material up to 3/4
thick and so called as a limited thickness
qualification
Successful qualified on a 1 test plate will qualify
for any thickness greater than 1/8 and termed as
unlimited thickness qualification

Welder Qualification
Specific welding technique
Considered as essential variables
Typical technique related essential variables
may include
Direction of welding (down hill or uphill)
Change in welding processes
Change in welding position
Change in base metal type

BE EN 287-1 : 2011
Qualification test of welders

Fusion Welding
Part 1 Steels

BS EN 287-1 : 2011
List essential variables and range of qualification

Welding processes (ISO 857)

Product Type

(Cover range between plate & pipe)

Type of weld (Cover range between butt & fillet weld)

Material groups

Filler material
Dimensions (thickness cover range)
Welding position (EN ISO 6947)
Weld details

Test Pieces Joint Configuration



BS EN 287-1 : 2011
Examination and acceptance Criteria
Preparation of test specimens (DT)
Test methods

Type of Weld
Butt weld cover butt weld in any type of joint except
branch connection
Butt welds do not qualify fillet welds or vice versa
When a welder is qualified by butt weld test, a
supplementary fillet weld test piece can be welded which
shall be in a plate thickness of at least 10mm and
completed using a single layer in the PB position. For this
supplementary test the welder shall become qualify for
all fillet welds as given for the butt weld qualification

Summary
Inspector may be asked to witness the
actual welding to verify procedure
compliance as well as note the ability of the
welder
Removal and evaluation of test specimens
are according to the applicable code

Summary
Once qualified, the welder will be
permitted to weld as long as that welding
does not exceed the limited of essential
variables involve positions, thicknesses,
electrodes, etc.
Welder may, however, be required to requalify
or
undergo
training
if
unsatisfactory performance is noted by
the inspector or other supervisory
personnel.

Welder Qualification
Test Certificate

Q & A

The End

Electrode Classification Groupings

Group
Designation

AWS
Electrode Classification

Order of Removal

Type and Number of Test Specimens Required fo

for
ASME Procedure Qualification of Butt Welds

Order of Removal
Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon

Order of Removal
Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon

Order of Removal
Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon

Order of Removal
Typical API Procedure Qualification Coupon