Plate / Pipe WPS qualification.

[cespi82]

Hi Gents,

I have been provided of a WPS and its respective supporting PQR. The qualified BM thickness range is shown in the WPS as 3/16" - 2" and Pipe 6" - Unlimited. PQR is showing test coupon of 1".

Does plate test coupon qualifiy a WPS also for pipe? I went through the code and I couldn't find anything that support this.

Does the code address qualifications based on thickness and type of joint, regardless if it is either pipe, or plate? If it does, where this 6" - unlimited range came from?

Kind regards,

Cesar

 

[metengr]

Does plate test coupon qualifiy a WPS also for pipe? I went through the code and I couldn't find anything that support this.

Please review QW-211 of Section IX below.

QW-211 BASE METAL
The base metals may consist of either plate, pipe, or
other product forms. Qualification in plate also qualifies
for pipe welding and vice versa. The dimensions of the test
coupon shall be sufficient to provide the required test
specimens.

Groove-weld test qualifies for fillet welds for all thickness and diameters.

 

[cespi82]

Thank you very much metengr.

What about the 6" - Unlimited thickness range for pipes? Is there a specifical code paragraph or table regulating this or it was just the desire of the one how prepared this WPS?

Regards,

 

[weldstan]

They may be self limiting their WPS for pipe, based on process. Qualification on 1" thick material only qualifies to 2" per QW-451.

 

[metengr]

First, the 6" to unlimited refers to pipe diameter and not thickness.

Second, Section IX provides flexibility for development of a WPS based on meeting certain minimum format requirements. So, additional information to the WPS to limit its use is permitted provided it does not conflict with any of the necessary welding variables. See form QW-482. There is no diameter limitation, only thickness. Which supports QW-211 above. If the originator of the WPS chooses to limit the WPS to welding a minimum of 6" diameter for pipe only, so be it.

Most of the pipe diameter and position requirements (see QW-461) apply more to welder performance versus WPS.