ASME Section IX Welder Qualifications Position vs Material 3

[mechrunner.33]

Hello,

We qualify our welders on a P1-P1 6G pipe test as a standard. Now we have an aluminum project coming up and I am wondering if we qualify our welders for Aluminum on a 1G plate test, who already took a P1-P1 6G pipe test, are they technically qualified for all position Aluminum?

The way I have always been told ASME worked was that welders were qualified by process, so if they are 6G certified on P1 then "technically" they are certified 6G on say aluminum even if they only did a 1G aluminum test. The first sentence in QW-301.2 leads me to believe this, but I just want to verify.

 

[CWEng]

Welders do qualify "by process" for ASME Section IX, in that the process is essentially the same as other essential variables. But like any essential variable, you only get the range qualified by the test itself. You can add additional ranges by other qualification tests, but other than allowed for thickness/diameter in specific notes in ASME Section IX, combining variables from different qualification tests is not done. For instance, an autogenous all position test does not qualify a welder also qualified with filler metal in the flat position to weld all positions with filler metal. Or a thick GMAW spray test does not further qualify a welder with a thin short circuit qualification.

 

[DekDee]

ASME IX gives minimum guidelines.
It is up to the company to add additional requirements as they see fit.
Welding carbon steel and aluminium are hugely different in techniques so it would be in your best interests to re-qualify on Aluminium.
Not take the quick and easy way out and then get " bitten on the bum" at a later stage !

 

[mechrunner.33]

Thank you CWEng and DekDee. My commonsense was telling me the same thing you said DekDee. There were others telling me i didn't need to, but like you said it is very different from carbon.

 

[CWEng]

DekDee,
I don't really understand your comment. Are you saying the OP could, but shouldn't? I think this is a case where the OP shouldn't, but can't anyway.

 

[weldstan]

One would be a fool to not require welders to qualify on aluminum alloys to make production welds in aluminum alloys without expecting scores of rework.

 

[DekDee]

Sorry CWEng, my response was poorly worded.
You are correct in that it is not acceptable.

 

[gtaw]

There are several variables involved with welder performance qualification. Those "essential variables" include the process, the P number of the base metal, the F number of the filler metal, position, weld type, product form, with or without backing, just to name a few.

Once the welder is qualified, he may be qualified for a range of base metals. In this case, the welder was qualified using P1 base metal. That qualifies the welder for carbon steels, high strength low alloy steel, austenitic stainless steel, nickel alloys, to name a few, but not included is aluminum and its alloys.

Both the welding procedure and the welder must be qualified for the aluminum alloys. The range of qualification for the WPS is more restrictive than the welder's qualifications. Once qualified, the welder is still limited by the P numbers covered by the qualified WPSs.

Best regards - Al