Previous qualified WPSs and Temper Bead Welding in 2011a Edition of Section IX Code

[newweldeng09]

QW-100.3 states that WPSs, PQRs, and WPQs made in accordance with the requirements of 1962 edition or later edition may be used in any construction of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code or Pressure Piping Code. QW-290.1, titled Basic Qualification and Upgrading Existing WPSs, seems to imply that an additional coupon needs to welded to existing WPSs for procedure qualification. If this is the case, then a contradiction exists between QW-100.3 and QW-290.1. Is this the correct interpretation of QW-290.1? Also, do welder/welding operators have to complete a proficiency exam if qualified to previous editions of the Code?

 

[stanweld]

QW-290 is a recent addition to the Code. Qualification of temper bead welding per QW-290 is defined in NBIC Section 3. As such, repairs to Code parts requiring temper bead welding per NBIC must be qualified per QW-290 and previous groove welding WPS's qualified prior to the introduction of QW-290 would not be permitted.

 

[metengr]

I don't see a contradiction. Two things for consideration regarding temper bead welding; the code of construction has to permit this type of weld repair method. Second point, temper bead welding is not treated as conventional welding by virtue of invoking the clause that to use temper bead welding, existing WPS's must be revised to reflect the welding parameters for this special process welding using a separate coupon, as described in QW-290.3

Also, do welder/welding operators have to complete a proficiency exam if qualified to previous editions of the Code?

See below in QW-290.6 (e)


Welders who will use manual and semiautomatic
GTAW or PAW shall be qualified to use these welding
processes as required by QW-300. In addition, each welder
shall complete a proficiency demonstration.

 

[pradipgoswami]

Dear Stanweld & MetEngr,

Thanks for your input and clarification on this issue. My organisation has a number of temperbead procedures qualified(on P1, P4, P5A base metal) to Sec-IX QW-290 and NBIC. Qualifying temperbead procedure involves different technique than conventional welding.ASME Sec-IX included the guidelines on Temperbead Qualifications after many years of input from various industries.

Temperbead repair is generally performed on severely aged components and in absence of PWHT it's quite difficult to control the hardness especially in the HAZ and at the tie-in corners, where the bead meets the base metal(the toe).

If the intended repair is for refinery or petrochemicals application, look through API-510,it has guidelines on temperbead repair also.

Hence the advice to "newweldeng09" would be :-
- to qualify a new procedure to QW-290, and NBIC,
- strictly follow the guidelines of Table QW-290.4,
-it's advisable to qualify the WPS on base metals with similar "CE" to that of the parent metal.
- Weld Joint deisgn to QW 462.12, either Completed Partial-Penetration Weld, Typical Groove Weld would be advisable

Along with procedure qualification welders also should weld in the similar coupons to get a feel of the repair technique.


Thanks.
Pradip Goswami,P.Eng.IWE
Welding & Metallurgical Specialist
Ontario, Canada.
Email-pgoswami@sympatico.ca,
pgoswami@quickclic.net

 

[Guest102023]

Temper bead by its very definition implies a change in an essential variable; the chapter and verse of how to navigate the Code are well explained above.

I would go further than Pradip and qualify the welder(s) for each individual application, regardless of whether the Code requires it.