API 1104 - Welder Qualification

[dclarke]

I have a question regarding the qualification of a welder.

Are there material record’s requirements when qualifying a welder to API 1104? More specifically, does a certified welding inspector need to have a pipe joint’s material test report (MTR) in hand prior to qualifying a welder to the standard?

I can not find this anywhere in the standard; however, I have found language that “implies” the MTR should be in hand, but there is no specificity. If there is no requirement and no marking on the pipe with the exception of say O.D., W.T. and SMYS, how is the inspector to know that the mechanical and chemical properties of the test joint are compatible with the pipe to be permanently installed?

API 1104 (19th edition) section 4.2.1 discusses chemical and mechanical properties included in the standard in addition to Section 5.4.2.2. The latter states within a note that section 5.4.2.2 does “not imply that the base materials or filler metals of different analyses within a group may be indiscriminately substituted for a material that was used in the qualification test without consideration of the compatibility of the base materials and filler metals from the standpoint of metallurgical and mechanical properties.” Does this statement “imply” a MTRis necessary or, if not available, some form of testing is needed to confirm the compatibility of base materials?

Any assistance or knowlegde of a "best pratice" would be appreciated.

NOTE: I believe there is a similar statement to the above in ASME Section IX.

 

[SJones]

But it is clause 6 that deals with welder qualification. You will note that mechanical and chemical properties of the parent material do not feature as essential variables. That is why a lot of end users specify that welders qualify on actual materials to be welded.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/

 

[IFRs]

Have you a contact on the API committee? If not I can help formulate a question and contact one directly. Some also follow this forum and may chime in. You can also send in a technical inquiry.

 

[dclarke]

I have not spoken to anyone on the committee; however, I did write into API. Below is the response I recieved:

"If the standard does not address this, then it is intentionally silent on that issue. Feel free to browse previously submitted questions on API Standard 1104 at

http://committees.api.org/standards/tech/pplnti.html

Please be advised that we have a new 20th edition of 1104 now available. You can order it online at

http://www.global.ihs.com"

This was not much help. I would appreciate any assistance you could provide.

 

[SJones]

The best practice is to qualify welders on the material that will be installed in the field. If there are no inspection documents (materials certificates) for that material then some regulation is probably being broken somewhere.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/