Interpretation: IX-04-11

Subject: QW-451.1, Procedure Qualification Thickness Limits and Test Specimens and QW-202.4,
Dissimilar
Base Metal Thicknesses
Date Issued: December 22, 2004
File: BC04-599
Question (1): A procedure qualification test coupon using the same P-Number material and
consisting of two plates of different thicknesses are welded together, where the thicker of the two
plates (T2 = 112 in. thick) has been tapered on a 4:1 taper down to the thinner plate thickness
(T1 = 1 in. thick).
Does this test coupon qualify the WPS for a base metal thickness range of 316 in. to 8 in.?
Reply (1): See Interpretation IX-86-43, Question (2).
Question (2): A procedure qualification test coupon using the same or different P-Number
materials and consisting of two plates of different thicknesses, T2 = 112 in. thick and T1 = 1 in.
thick, has been welded with a single process. The thicknesses meet on the same plane with
neither plate being tapered. The joint is welded in accordance with Fig. IX-04-11.

Does this test coupon qualify the WPS for both base metals for a thickness range of 316 in. to 8
in. on both sides of the weld joint?
Reply (2): Yes.
Question (3): Does this test coupon qualify the WPS for both base metals of different P-Numbers
for a thickness range of 316 in. to 8 in.?
Reply (3): No. QW-202.4 requires both base metal thicknesses be in accordance with QW-451.1.
Base metal T1 is qualified 316 in. to 2 in. and base metal T2 is qualified 316 in. to 8 in., except as
permitted by QW-202.4(b)(1).

Interpretation: IX-86-43
Section IX - Interpretations No. 20
Subject: Section IX, QW-202.4
Date issued: September 23, 1986
File: BC86-337
Question (1): In qualifying a WPS, may the actual production base metal thickness be used as the
weld test coupon thickness?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): in qualifying a WPS to cover 9 mm and 28 mm base metal thicknesses, the 28 mm
side of the test coupon was tapered 3 to 1, making the thickness at the weld 9 mm. Is the WPS
qualified for the two thicknesses?
Reply (2): No.

Interpretation: IX-01-19
Subject: QW-202.4(b), Dissimilar Base Metal Thickness
Date Issued: December 18, 2001
File: BC01-811
Question: Does QW-202.4(b) permit the maximum weld deposit thickness limit to be extended
beyond the limit specified in QW-451.1?
Reply: No; QW-202.4 applies only to the base metal thickness limits.

Interpretation: IX-95-12
Subject: Section IX, QW-202.4, Dissimilar Base Metal Thicknesses
Date Issued: March 17, 1995
File: IX-95-12, IX-95-13, IX-95-14
Question: Does QW-202.4 include butt joints and comer joints when joining dissimilar base metal
thicknesses when prepared with a groove?
Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: IX-92-11
Subject: Section IX, QW-180, QW-202.2, and QW-202.4; Groove and Fillet Welds, Dissimilar
Base Metal Thicknesses
Date Issued: October 7, 1991
File: Bc91-263
Question (1): In qualifying a tube-to-tubesheet weld procedure for a partial penetration groove
weld, do paragraphs QW-202.2 and QW-202.4 apply?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): In qualifying a tube-to-tubesheet weld procedure for a fillet weld, do paragraphs
QW-180 and QW-202.2 apply?
Reply (2): Yes.
Interpretation: IX-86-89
Subject: Section IX, QW-202.4
Date Issued: June 2, 1988
File: BC88-O89
Question: When employing a groove-weld WPS to join flat plates of dissimilar thickness in a
corner joint, is it a requirement of QW-202.4 that both the thicker and thinner members must be
qualified within the range permitted by QW-451 unless the alternative provided in QW-202.4 is
used?
Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: IX-86-36
Subject: Section IX QW-202.4 and QW-451.1
Date Issued: September 23, 1986
File: BC86-280
Question: A welding procedure is qualified on a base material thickness of 0.365 in. using the
SMAW process. May this welding procedure be used in production to weld a tee groove joint
utilizing a 0.25 in. thick angle to an 18 gage (0.051 6 in.) vessel shell?
Reply: No.

Interpretation: IX-83-123
Subject: Section IX, QW-202.4
Date Issued: October 3, 1984
File: BC84-092
Question: Does QW-202.4 apply to welder performance qualification?
Reply: No.

Interpretation: 1X-89-99
Subject: Section IX, QW-451.1
Date Issued: March 7, 1991
File: BC91-022
Question: Does QW-451.1 apply when welding a partial penetration groove joint of a tube to a
header of dissimilar thicknesses?
Reply: Yes; see Note (1) for additional reference paragraphs.

Interpretation: 1X-98-20
Subject: QW-202.4(b), Dissimilar Base Metal Thickness
Date Issued: June 8, 2000
File: BC99-539
Question: When welding a comer joint with dissimilar base metal thickness, the thickness of both
members must be within the qualified thickness range of the WPS(s) being used. How is the
thickness for the thicker member defined in sketches (a), (b), and (c) below?

Reply: For sketch (a), the thicker of T or ts. For sketch (b), the thicker of T or ta. For sketch (c), the
thicker of flange a or hub b.

Interpretation: IX-01-23
Subject: QW-202.4, Dissimilar Base Metal Thicknesses
Date Issued: March 11, 2002
File: BC01-789
Question: A WPS is qualified to weld base material from 1.6 mm to 20 mm. May that WPS be used
for welding a part 30 mm thick that has been tapered to 15 mm thick to another 15 mm part?
Reply: Yes.