Does WPS and PQR coupon have to be welded by a qualified welder? 1

[andyweld]

I have a question about the WPS and PQR coupon welding, does the coupon have to be welded by welding operator who is qualified in accordance with ASME section IX?

 

[metengr]

No. A WPS can be qualified concurrent with qualification of a welder because this is not a production weld. A welder can be qualified using a procedure that already has been qualified for use.

 

[andyweld]

Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[ApC2Kp]

andyweld,

Kind of like the question of the chicken or the egg.

As stated by metengr, the welder who perorms the welding of the test coupon then becomes qualified, when the coupon is accepted after the testing.

You probably want to use a welder 'capable' on a similar welding process / material to improve proability of success, instead of having the test coupon fail due to lack of skill of welder.

 

[Far1979]

Andyweld,

I would like to share some information related to Procedure Qualification Record and Work Procedure Specification.

Basically, from the fabrication drawing of your project , you will find different weld symbols at different joints depending on the thickness of the plate.

For these thickness, welder qualification record is recorded by a welder for fillet or butt welds , etc depending on single run or multi-run and complete penetration or partial penetration.


Welder Qualifications:

The Australian Standard AS1554.1 2004 SP states that if a welder has considered for instance a 20 mm plate to 16 mm plate (single-run) then he also qualified for the welds lower than 20 mm plates meaning for 18,16,14,12 and so on depending the standard thickness availability of plate in the market.

But for Multi-run in accordance to AS1554.1 2004 SP states if a welder is qualified for 20 mm plate then he is also qualified for > 20mm meaning for 22,24,32 and so on depending on the availability.

Now coming back to Work Procedure Qualification :

once the welder has recorded his information which is related to number of runs or passes based on which volts , amps , travel speed and time is been recorded.

U can also find these values by using the formula:

Q = 1000 * E * I/ (60 * v)

once you have this report in your hand , you will send this report to a Testing Body like BUREAU VERITAS or etc where they will test the specimen and will let you know whether the welder is qualified for the welder qualification record.

Based on this record , you can create specification report .

cheer,
Far1979