Thickness Qualification under Section IX
Thickness Qualification under Section IX
(OP)
Recently while reviewing Welder Performance Qualification Cards I noticed what i believe are incorrect thickness ranges listed on these cards . My understanding is that the maximum thickness qualified as per Table QW452.1 (b) using radiagraphy is 2t,(twice the deposit thickness for each F#),I think the problem is that the 'maximum to be welded 'in the Table referenced above is being misinterpreted to mean the welder is qualified to an unlimited thickness and by doing so the intent of the code is being missed .
Any comments/clarification would be greatly appreciated .
Any comments/clarification would be greatly appreciated .





RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
Read the following link for a detailed explanation:
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RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
Given this , is it not possible that the intention of the Code is to allow a welder to weld from X " to 1 1/4 " Then above this thickness it would be necessary to meet the (2t)requirement ? Under this scenario both thickness requirements of QW 452.1(b) can be met.
I realize this could be totally wrong , what do you think ?
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
What do you think ?
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
You must read the Notes in Table 451.1 applicable for each column. The Notes refer to variable restrictions.
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
Correction, that should be 452.1., and most important you need to review Article III, QW-300.2. You cannot cherry pick information in Section IX from the Tables without understanding the accompanying Articles.
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
sf
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
In the QW-452.1(b) table, the difference between the two noted restrictions is the deposit (and documentation) of the three weld layers, within the individual QW-404 variables. Welders have the ability to deposit greater than ½ inch in less than three layers, thus the reason for separation for qualification within the table.
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
the next question is this; i am also being told it isnt necessary to have the qualifying RT shots read to Section IX . the belief being that if they are read to the Code of Construction that qualifies the welder . I disagree with this . Again any guidance would be appreciated .
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
There is no job test for Section IX. Welders are qualified by essential welding variables per Article III by process. A qualified welder can use multiple welding procedures provided all essential variables are documented and the procedure selected for the job does not fall outside of the welder performance essential variables.
It is necessary to have the RT acceptance criteria as per Section IX, See QW-302.2 and QW-191.
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
steve
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
Correct.
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
The requirements for performance and procedures are completely seperate and apart. The only thing related to a procedure for perfomance qualification is the fact that one has to be used.
A welder could use a single procedure for performance qualification and not be able to use that procedure in production depending upon the conditions of the production weld.
A welder in fact could perform all of the welding on a PQR and be both qualified outside the range of the WPS and not qualified for certain ranges on the WPS.
Also , in most cases SEC IX is the acceptance criteria for performance qualification however in cases in which qualification is allowed on production welds, the acceptance criteria is the code of construction.
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldingdata.com
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
Steve
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
A welder in possesion of a "procedure qualification card" in and of itself is very confusing. There is no such reference made in codes.
Because procedure and performance qualification rules differ it would be very confusing to refer to one from the other.
I would take the reference to welders being qualified to procedures (WPS's) completely out of your system and then on any documentation related to welder performance, address only the variables needed for performance.
Its my opinion that the whole referring to a WPS for performance qualification is a thing that was started t o minimize how much superintendents and supervisors had to know about code requirements and minimize the time on a project for QC. Just my opinion.
For performance qualification for SMAW there are 7 variables that need to be addressed. Pretty simple but to someone wanting to pick and choose welders from a list, this makes it easy but misleading.
One advantage of using software for trcking WPQ's is the fact that retrieval based on production conditions is very easy. Some software may even refer to WPS that welders are qualified for. That is again, misleading.
I hate going to a shop and getting an index of welder qualifications by WPS when all I needed was there ranges qualified. I then compare the welders to what is being done in production. Seperate and apart, I verify that the WPS's and supporting PQRS's are correct.
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldingdata.com
RE: Thickness Qualification under Section IX
QW-191.2.3 Production Welds. The acceptance
standard for welding operators who qualify on production
welds shall be that specified in the referencing Code Section.
The acceptance standard for welders who qualify on
production welds as permitted by QW-304.1 shall be per
QW-191.2.2.
Of course then you may get into an issue where the production weld is acceptable and yet the welder is NOT qualified ? HMMM
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldingdata.com