A welder's qualification typically remains valid for from the last date they used that specific welding process. If a welder does not perform that process within this timeframe, their qualification expires and they must re-qualify. ASME Section IX: A Simple Guide To Welder Qualification
Proves that the WPS can produce a weld with required mechanical properties. 3. Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ)
ASME Section IX is a dedicated standard that specifies the rules for qualifying welding, brazing, and plastic fusing procedures, as well as the personnel who perform them. welding standard asme
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) provides the foundational standards for welding in high-stakes industries like pressure vessels, nuclear power, and piping
| Variable Category | Key Parameters | Example Requirements | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Welding process, Base metal (P-Number) | SMAW, GTAW on P-1 (carbon steel) or P-8 (austenitic stainless steel) | | Filler Metal & Position | Filler metal classification (F-Number, A-Number), Welding position (e.g., 1G, 6G) | F-No. 6, A-No. 8; position must match the range qualified by the PQR | | Preheat & PWHT | Preheat temperature range, Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) | Min. 250°F; PWHT temperature, time, and method (e.g., 1150°F for 1 hour) | | Electrical & Technique | Electrical characteristics (current, polarity, voltage, travel speed), Joint design (groove angle, root opening) | DCEP, 110-130A; 60° included angle, 3/32" root face | A welder's qualification typically remains valid for from
Section IX assigns to base metals based on composition, weldability, and mechanical properties.
The WPS is a written instructional sheet that guides the welder in production. It outlines all the parameters—essential, nonessential, and supplementary essential (if required)—that must be followed to ensure a code-compliant weld. Think of it as a certified recipe for a specific joint. Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) 6, A-No
Before a WPS can be used in production, it must be validated by a PQR. The PQR is a record of the welding data used to weld a test coupon. It includes the actual values recorded during the test and the mandatory destructive test results (e.g., tensile strengths and bend tests). The PQR proves that the recipe outlined in the WPS can physically yield a weld with the required mechanical properties. Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ)