American society of Mechanical

Engineers SECTION IX
 General Awareness of Welding Procedure
(WPS,PQR& WPQ)
Section IX is a document referenced for the qualification of material joining processes
by various construction
codes such as Section I, III, IV, VIII, XII, etc.

II Materials
• Part A — Ferrous Material Specifications
• Part B — Nonferrous Material Specifications
• Part C — Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals
• Part D — Properties (Customary)
• Part D — Properties (Metric)

SCOPE
This Section contains requirements for the qualification of welders, welding operators, brazers,
brazing operators, plastic fusing operators, and the material joining processes they use during
welding, brazing, and fusing operations for the construction of components under the rules of the
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
the ASME B31 Codes for Pressure Piping, and other
Codes, standards, and specifications that reference this
Section. This Section is divided into four parts.
(1) Part QG contains general requirements for all
material-joining processes.
(2) Part QW contains requirements for welding.
(3) Part QB contains requirements for brazing.
(4) Part QF contains requirements for plastic fusing.
The purpose of the Procedure Specification and the Procedure Qualification
Record (PQR) is to ensure the material joining process proposed for construction
is capable of producing joints having the required mechanical properties for the
intended application

The purpose of Performance Qualification is to determine the ability of the person

using a material joining process to produce a sound joint.

In Operator Performance Qualification, the basic criterion is to determine the

ability of the operator to properly operate the equipment to produce a sound joint

PROCEDURE QUALIFICATIONS
In general, the Procedure Specifications are required
to list all essential and nonessential variables for each process that is included
under that particular procedure specification. When an essential variable must be
changed beyond the range qualified required requalification of the procedure
specification is required

If a change is made in a nonessential

variable, the procedure need only be revised or amended to address the
nonessential variable change. When
toughness testing is required for Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
qualification by the construction code
The supplementary essential variables become additional essential variables,
and a change in these variables requires requalification of the procedure
specification.

PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATIONS

The performance qualification articles have numerous paragraphs describing

general applicable variables for all processes.

QW-350, QB-350, and QF-360 list additional essential variables that are
applicable for specific processes.

The QW-350 variables do not apply to welding operators. QW-360 lists the
additional essential variables for welding operators.
Generally, a welder or welding operator may be qualified by mechanical
bending tests, or volumetric NDE of a test
coupon, or the initial production weld. Brazers or brazing operators and fusing
operators may not be qualified by volumetric NDE.
PROCEDURE SPECIFICATION
A procedure specification is a written document providing direction to the person
applying the material joining process.
Details for the preparation and qualification
of procedure specifications for welding (WPS), brazing
(BPS), and fusing (FPS) are given in the respective Parts
addressing those processes

Procedure specifications used by an organization (see QG-109.2) having

responsibility for operational control of material joining processes shall have been
qualified by that organization, or shall be a standard procedure specification
acceptable under the rules of the applicable Part for the joining process to be
used.
When a procedure specification is prepared by the organization, it shall address,
as a minimum, the specific essential and nonessential variables that are
applicable to the material joining
process to be used in production.
When the referencing
Code, standard, or specification requires toughness qualification
of the material joining procedure, the applicable
supplementary essential variables shall also be addressed
in the procedure specification.
QG-102 PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION RECORD
The purpose of qualifying the procedure specification is to demonstrate that
the joining process proposed for construction is capable of producing joints
having the required mechanical properties for the intended application.

Qualification of the procedure specification demonstrates the mechanical

properties of the joint made using a joining process, and not the skill of the
person using the joining process.

A procedure specification may be supported by one or more PQR(s), and one

PQR may be used to support one or more procedure specification(s).

QG-103 PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION

The purpose of qualifying the person who will use a joining process is to
demonstrate that person’s ability to produce a sound joint when using a
procedure specification.
QG-105 VARIABLES

QG-105.1 Essential Variables (Procedure).

Essential variables are conditions in which a change, as described
in the specific variables, is considered to affect the mechanical properties (other
than toughness) of the joint

QG-105.2 Essential Variables (Performance).

Essential variables are conditions in which a change, as described in the
specific variable list, will affect the ability of the person to produce a sound joint.

QG-105.3 Supplementary Essential Variables.

Supplementary essential variables are conditions in which a change will affect
the toughness properties of the joint, heat-affected zone, or base material

Supplementary essential variables become additional essential variables

in situations where procedure qualifications require
toughness testing. See QW-401.1.
QG-105.4 Nonessential Variables.
Nonessential variables are conditions in which a change, as described in the
specific variables, is not considered to affect the mechanical properties of the
joint

A procedure specification may be editorially revised to change a nonessential

variable to fall outside of its previously listed range, but does not require
requalification of the procedure specification.

QG-106 ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

QG-106.1 Procedure Qualifications. Each organization is responsible for
conducting the tests required by this Section to qualify the procedures that
are used in the construction of components under the rules of the Codes,
standards, and specifications that reference this Section.

QG-106.2 Performance Qualifications. Each organization is responsible for

the supervision and control of material joining performed by persons for whom
they have operational responsibility and control. The organization shall
conduct the tests required by this Section to qualify the performance of those
persons with each joining process they will use for the construction of
components under the rules of the Codes, standards, and specifications that
reference this Section
CHECKLIST FOR WPS AND WPQ

WPS Qualification

 Base material Certificate should be available.

 Consumable Certificate should be available.
 Code should be selected as per job requirements.
 Prepare WPS as per code and given details.
 Run PQR as per approved WPS and note the actual values of the variables.
 Do NDT and mechanical tests as per code.
 Prepare WPS with reference to PQR.
 WPS should have all supporting documents like PQR, MC, consumable certificate, NDT Reports,
Mechanical Test Reports.

Welder Qualification Test

 Approved WPS should be available.

 Confirm joint configuration is as per WPS.
 Confirm Base Material and consumables are as per WPS.
 Identity cards of personnel with photo should be available.
 Ensure welding variables are within the limits of WPS.
 Do NDT and mechanical tests as per code.
 Certificate should be issued with details of qualification.
 Validity expires if the person not welded continuously for a period of 6 months.
 Qualification test of maximum 10 Persons can be witnessed at a time.
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS).

Definition of WPS :

 A WPS is a written qualified welding procedure prepared to provide direction for

making production welds to Code requirements.

 The WPS or other documents may be used to provide direction to the welder or
welding operator to assure compliance with the Code requirements.

 The Purpose of a welding procedure specification is to define and document the

details that are to be carried out in welding specific materials or parts.

The following steps to be followed in the qualification of WPS,

1. Select the welding process and consumables
2. Prepare the proposed welding procedure specification
3. Make test specimens as per applicable code
4. Test and Evaluate and results
5. & Approve the WPS
A welding Engineer must know several details during selection of WPS for a job such as
base materials composition, thickness, process to be used..ect,

One has to select suitable WPS for a case, which meets the total job and code
requirements, and thus minimize requalification tests,

It is not enough if one has only the qualified WPS,

One must ensure that the production welds made are as per qualified WPS therefore
meets all the requirements, which are nothing but the designer while designing the
equipment's,

Purpose of WPS :
 The purpose of WPS and PQR is to determine that the weld ment proposed for
construction is capable of providing the required properties for its indented
application
 The WPS is indented to provide direction for welding operator / welder,
 The PQR lists what was the used in qualifying the WPS and the test results,
Material Grouping In WPS as per ASME Sec IX :

In WPS there are mainly four types of materials are grouped as per
below :
1. P-Numbers :
To reduce the number of welding procedure qualification required base
metals have been assigned P-No and ferrous base metal, which has
specified impact, test requirements group number within P-No,
These assignments are based essentially on comparable base metal
characteristics such as composition, weld ability and mechanical
properties,

P-Numbers Type of Material

1 Carbon steel
3,4,5 Low alloy steel

6,7 Ferrite and Martensitic Stainless steel

8 Austenitic stainless steel
9 Nickel steel
10,11 Quenched and tempered steel
2. S-Numbers :
 S-Numbers are listing of materials which are acceptable for use by ASME-B-3.1
code for pressure piping or by selected boiler and pressure vessel code cases but
which are not included within ASME boiler and pressure vessel code material
specification
 There is no mandatory requirement that S-No be used,
 This materials are grouped in S-No is similar to P-No

3. F-Numbers :

 The F-Numbers is based essentially on used of welding rod usability

characteristics which fundamentally make satisfaction welding with given filler
metal,
 F-No is grouping of electrodes and welding rods,

F-Numbers Classification of Filler Metals

1 Iron powder electrode
2 High rutile electrode
3 High cellulose electrode
4 Low hydrogen electrode
5 Stainless steel
Carbon steel and Low alloy steel rods for
gas welding, CS electrode for SAW,Bar
6 CS,SS,LAS filler metals
4. A-Numbers :
It is used to identity the weld metal chemical composition designated on PQR
and WPS.

A-Numbers Types of Weld Metal

1 Mild Steel
2 Carbon -Molybdenum
3 Cr (0.4-2%) Mo
4 Cr (02-6.0%) Mo
5 Cr (6 - 10%) Mo
6 Cr Martensitic
7 Cr Ferrite
8 Cr Ni (C 0.15%)
9 Cr Ni (C 0.30 %)
10 Ni
11 Mg - Mo
12 Ni-Cr-Mo
Variables Used In WPS :

1. QW-401 General :
 In this variables there essential, supplemental and Non essential variables
are given,
 A change from one welding process to another welding process is an
essential variable and require requalification

2. QW-402 Joints :
 A change in the type of groove (“V” groove to “U” groove, Single Bevel
double bevel),
 Change in nominal position in backing,
 The deletion of the backing in single welded groove welds Double welding
groove welds are considered welding with backing,
 In this variable which type of Joint is used or offered by client is illustrated
with its dimension,

3. QW-403 Base Metals :

 In this variable which type of base metal is used in the weld joints is
designated,
 This may be done either by giving the chemical composition or by refering to
an applicable specification,
 When joints are made between two base metals that have different P-No, a
procedure qualification shall be made for the applicable combination P-No
 A change to another base materials type nominal chemical analysis and
property range even though of different product form or to any other base
material type or grade,

4. QW-404 Filler Metals :

 There are two type of classification is generally used in making of WPS,
 These are 1) AWS-SFA Specification and II) ASME,
 Composition, Identifying type or classification of the filler metal should
always be specified to ensure proper use,
 A change in SFA specification filler metal classification or to a filler metal not
covered by an SFA specification to another which is not covered by an
specification,
 When a filler metal conforms to an SFA specification classification,
requalification is not required,

5. QW-405 Position :
 A procedure specification should always designate the position in which the
welding is to be done
 In addition, the manner in which the welding is to be done in each position
should be designated,
 In this variable there are various position of welding is defined like
1G,2G,3G,4G,5G & 6G,
 A change from any position to the vertical position uphill progression,
 Vertical uphill progression qualities for all position, In up hill
progression a change from stringer bead to weave bead, this
limitation does not apply when a WPS is qualified with a PWHT above
the upper transformation temperature or when an austenitic material
is solution annealed after welding,

7. QW-406 Preheat :
 Whenever preheat are significant factors in the production of sound
joints or influence the properties of weld joints, the temperature limits
should be specified,
 A decrease of more than 100 deg F in the preheat temperature
qualified,
 The minimum temperature for welding shall be specified in the WPS,
 A change in the maintenance or reduction of preheat upon completion
of welding prior to anyt required PWHT,
 An Increase of more than 100 deg F in the maximum interpass
temperature recorded on the PQR,
8. QW-407 PWHT :
 When welded joints require heat treatment after welding to develop
required properties, dimensional stability or dependability such treatment
should be described in the WPS,
 For P-No, 1,3,4,5,6,9 & 10 materials the following PWHT Conditions apply
1) No PWHT
2) PWHT below the lower transformation temperature,
3) PWHT above the upper transformation temperature (Ex.Normalizing)
 For all other materials, the following PWHT conditions apply,
1) No PWHT,
2) PWHT within a specified temperature range,

8. QW-408 Gas :
 There are three main types of gases are to be used in to make the WPS,
 They are 1) Shielding gas, 2) Trailing gas, and 3) Backing gas,
 A change in the specified flow rate range of the shielding gas or mixture of
gases,
 A change in the composition and flow rates of orifice gas and shielding
gas,
9. QW-409 Electrical characteristics :
 An increase in heat input or an increase in volume of weld metal
deposited per unit length of weld over that qualified,
 The addition or deletion of pulsing current to DC power source,
 A change from AC to DC and DC welding a change from electrode
negative to electrode positive,
 A change in arc time,
 A change in amperage,
 A change in power source,
 A change in type or size of electrodes,

10. QW-410 Technique :

 A change in stringer or weave bead technique,
 A change in method of initial and interpass cleaning,
 A change in single electrode to multiple electrodes,
 A change in type of welding equipment,
 A change from manual to automatic or vice versa,
 The addition or deletion of peening,
 A change in torch type,
 Addition or deletion of an electrode-cooling medium,
 WPS AS PER ASME SEC IX
POSITIONS
POSITION TESTED QUALIFIED Remarks
ANY POSITION ALL POSITIONS
Tests on Groove welds
Thickness Tested (t
mm) Thickness Qulaified Weld Metal Tension test Side Bend Face Bend Root Bend
Less than 1.5mm T to 2T 2t 2 - 2 2
1.5mm to 10.0mm 1.5mm to 2T 2t 2 - 2 2
10.0mm to 19.0mm 5.0 mm to 2T 2t 2 - 2 2
19 mm to 38 mm 5.0 mm to 2T 2t when (t<19) 2 4 - -
2t when (t> or 19) 2 4 - -
38 mm & over 5.0 m to 200 mm 2t when (t<19) 2 4 - -
800 when (t> or
19) 2 4 - -
 WQT AS PER ASME SEC IX
POSITION TESTED POSITIONS QUALIFIED FOR GROOVE FILLET
Plate (Groove) Plate & pipe over 24" Pipe less than or equal 24"
1G F F F
2G F,H F,H F,H
3G F,V F F,H,V
4G F,OH F F,H,OH
3G+4G F,V,OH F ALL
2G+3G+4G ALL F,H ALL

Plate (Fillet)
1F F
2F F,H
3F F,H,V
4F F,H,OH
3F& 4F All

Pipe (Groove)
1G F F F
2G F,H F,H F,H
5G F,V,OH F,V,OH ALL
6G ALL ALL ALL
2G + 5G ALL ALL ALL

Pipe (Fillet)
1F F
2F F,H
2FR F,H
4F F,H,OH
5F ALL

Tests on Groove welds

Thickness Tested (t mm) Thickness Qulaified Weld Metal Tension test Side Bend Face Bend Root Bend
Less than 10mm - - 1 1
10mm to 19.0mm Refer QW 452.1(b) - 2 - -
19.0mm & Over - 2 - -
QG-109.2 DEFINITIONS

arc strike: any inadvertent discontinuity resulting from an arc, consisting of

any localized re-melted metal

heat‐affected metal, or change in the surface profile of any metal object.

The arc may be caused by arc welding electrodes, magnetic inspection
prods, or frayed electrical cable.

arc welding: a group of welding processes wherein coalescence is

produced by heating with an arc or arcs, with or without the application of
pressure, and with or without the use of filler metal

as‐welded: adj. pertaining to the condition of weld metal,

welded joints, and weld-ments after welding but prior to any subsequent
thermal, mechanical, or chemical treatments

Back gouging: the removal of weld metal and base metal from the weld
root side of a welded joint to facilitate complete fusion and complete joint
penetration upon subsequent welding from that side.
backing: a material placed at the root of a weld joint for the purpose of
supporting molten weld metal so as to facilitate complete joint penetration. The
material may or may not fuse into the joint. See also retainer

base metal: the metal or alloy that is welded, brazed, or

cut.

butt joint: a joint between two members aligned approximately in the same
plane.

complete fusion: fusion which has occurred over the entire base material
surfaces intended for welding, and between all layers and beads.

defect: a discontinuity or discontinuities that by nature or accumulated effect

(for example, total crack length) render a part or product unable to meet
minimum applicable acceptance standards or specifications. This term
designates reject ability. See also discontinuity and flaw.

discontinuity: an interruption of the typical structure of a material, such as a

lack of homogeneity in its mechanical metallurgical, or physical characteristics.

A discontinuity is not necessarily a defect. See also defect and flaw.

direct current electrode negative (DCEN): the arrangement of direct current
arc welding leads in which the electrode is the negative pole and the work
piece is the positive pole of the welding arc.

direct current electrode positive (DCEP): the arrangement of direct current

arc welding leads in which the electrode is the positive pole and the work
piece is the negative pole of the welding arc.

electrode, arc welding: a component of the welding circuit through which

current is conducted.

electrode, bare: a filler metal electrode that has been produced

as a wire, strip, or bar with no coating or covering other than that incidental to
its manufacture or provided for purposes of preservation, feeding, or
electrical contact.

filler metal: the metal or alloy to be added in making a

welded, brazed, or soldered joint.
flux (welding or brazing): a material used to dissolve, prevent,
or facilitate the removal of oxides or other undesirable surface substances. It may
act to stabilize the arc, shield the molten pool, and may or may not evolve
shielding gas by decomposition

flux, active (SAW): a flux from which the amount of elements

deposited in the weld metal is dependent upon the welding parameters, primarily
arc voltage.

flux, alloy (SAW): a flux which provides alloying elements

in the weld metal deposit.

flux, neutral (SAW): a flux which will not cause a significant change in the weld
metal composition when there is a large change in the arc voltage.

heat‐affected zone: that portion of the base metal which

has not been melted, but whose mechanical properties or microstructures have
been altered by the heat of welding or cutting.

joint: the junction of members or the edges of members which are to be joined or
have been joined.

performance qualification: the demonstration of a welder’s or welding operator’s

ability to produce welds meeting prescribed standards
polarity, reverse: the arrangement of direct current arc welding leads with the work
as the negative pole and the electrode as the positive pole of the welding arc; a
synonym for direct current electrode positive.

polarity, straight: the arrangement of direct current arc welding leads in which the
work is the positive pole and the electrode is the negative pole of the welding arc; a
synonym for direct current electrode negative

weld: a localized coalescence of metals or non-metals produced either by heating

the materials to the welding temperature, with or without the application of
pressure, or by the application of pressure alone and with or without the use of filler
material.

undercut: a groove melted into the base metal adjacent to the weld toe or weld root
and left unfilled by weld metal

welder: one who performs manual or semiautomatic welding.

welding operator: one who operates machine or automatic welding equipment

welding, shielded metal‐arc (SMAW): an arc welding process

with an arc between a covered electrode and the weld pool. The process is used
with shielding from the decomposition of the electrode covering, without the
application of pressure, and with filler metal from the electrode
welding, submerged‐arc (SAW): an arc welding process that uses an arc or
arcs between a bare metal electrode or electrodes and the weld pool. The arc
and molten metal are shielded by a blanket of granular flux on the work pieces.
The process is used without pressure and with filler
metal from the electrode and sometimes from a
supplemental source (welding rod, flux, or metal
granules).

welding, resistance (RW): a group of welding processes that produces

coalescence of the faying surfaces with the heat obtained from resistance of
the work pieces to the flow of the welding current in a circuit of which the work
pieces are a part, and by the application of pressure.
QW-403.5 :
Up to X52 : Group 1
X56,X60,X65 : Group 2
X70 : Group 3
X80 : Group 4

QW-403.6 : In case of Impact

If T < 6 MM : T/2 to 2T
If 6 ≤ T ≤ 16 MM : T to 2T
If T > 16 MM : 16 MM to 2T

QW-403.8 :
For 1.5 < T ≤ 10 MM : T to 2T
 10 < T < 19 MM : 5 MM to 2T
 19 ≤ T < 38 MM : 5 MM to 2T

QW-403 :
API 5L-Pipe category,
1)≤ X42,
2)>X42, < X65,
3)≥ X65
QW-404.4 : F No,
F4 for SFA 5.1, SFA 5.5 (EXX18),
F6 for SFA 5.17,SFA 5.18, SFA 5.23,

QW-404.5 : A No,
A No 1 for Mild Steel,

QW-405 :

Plate Position Pipe Position

Flat 1G Flat 1G
Horizontal 2G Horizontal 2G
Vertical 3G Multiple 5G
Over head 4G Multiple 6G (45°)

QW-408 :
Mixture % (for repair, GMAW)
± 5% As per API 5L for repair,

Flow rate (for repair, GMAW)

± 10% As per API 5L for repair,
QW-422 :

Welding
Spec Type of Grade Min.tensile Ksi(Mpa) Nominal Composition Product form
P No Group No

A 48(330) 1 1 C-Mn
B 60(415) 1 1 C-Mn
X42 60(415) 1 1 C-Mn
X46 63(435) 1 1 C-Mn
Smls &
X52 66(455) 1 1 C-Mn
API 5L Welded, Pipe
X56 71(490) 1 2 C-Mn & Tube

X60 75(515) 1 2 C-Mn

X65 77(530) 1 2 C-Mn
X70 82(565) 1 3 C-Mn
X80 90(620) 1 4 C-Mn