SECTION IX QW 423 Turn to Page 131 Alternate Base Materials for Welder Qualification Versus Base Metal Qualified

QW-423 Alternate Base Metals for Welder Qualification

Base metals used for welder qualification may be substituted for the metal specified in the WPS in accordance with the following in-text table. When a base metal in the left column is used for welder qualification, the welder is qualified to weld all combinations of base metals in the right column. Including unassigned metals of similar composition to these metals.

Base Metal (s) Used for Welder Qualification P-No. 1 through P-No. 11, PNo. 34, or P-No. 41 through P-No. 47 P-No. 21 through P-No. 25 P-No. 51 through P-No. 53 or PNo. 61 through P-No. 62

Base Metal (s) for which the Welder is Qualified P-No. 1 through P-No. 11, PNo. 34, or P-No. 41 through P-No. 47 P-No. 21 through P-No. 25 P-No. 51 through P-No. 53 or PNo. 61 through P-No. 62

QW-423 Alternate Base Metals for Welder Qualification

So, all we need to do is qualify a welder to weld any P-No. from the list and he can weld all of the others. This would be great! There is however a problem with this theory. Welders are also limited by the Filler Metal Number (F-No.) used during a test.

If a welder qualifies on any P number from P 1 through P 11, P 34 or P 41 through P47 he/she is qualified to weld any of those metals together. Be warned this is further
limited by the F-number (s)!

If a welder qualifies on P 21 to P 25 he/she is qualified to weld any of these metals together or any combination of these aluminum alloys together!

If a welder qualifies on P 51 to P 53 or P 61 to 62 he/she is qualified to weld any of these metals together or in any combination of Titanium or Zirconium alloy!

In theory a welder could be qualified for all the listed base materials by welding just three (3) coupons. Remember our lesson on Filler Metal Numbers (F-Numbers). This is where the welders limitations become very important. One of the essential variables for a welder is the FNumber of the electrode he qualifies with during a given test.

Suppose a welder qualifies with SMAW using an FNo.4 electrode the test coupon is a P-No.1 base material. The welder has qualified to weld P No. 1 to 11, 34 or 41 through 47. So lets have him weld one of the nickels, a P-No.41. Assume it will be required to make the weld with a filler metal that is designated as a F-No.41 in Section IX. There is a problem , he has not qualified any of those metals with a FNo.41 filler metal. He would have to prove his skill with the F-No.41 filler metal.

He is qualified for SMAW using a F-No.4 electrode not F-No.41. The welder will have to test again on any of those metals using a SMAW electrode designated as a F-No.41, why because the FNumbers 4 and 41 are considered to require different skill levels to weld. The F-Number is a welders essential variable as well as a procedures.
Welders are limited by all of the following essential variables (skill issues), which are in Section IX for the welding processes listed on page 52.

QW-353 Shielded Metal-Arc Welding (SMAW) Essential Variables

Paragraph QW 402 Joints QW 403 Base Metals QW 404 Filler Metals QW 405 Positions .4 .16 .18 .15 .30 .1 .3 Brief of Variables Deletion of Backing Change Pipe Diameter Change in P Number Change in F Number Change in weld metal t deposited Addition of a position Change from vertical Up to Down or Down to UP progression

Simply put the welder must qualify all of his/her essential variables, not just be qualified to weld a particular P Number. In our example he/she is disqualified for the nickel alloy weld because of the required F -Number qualification being F-No.41 as listed on the WPS/PQR.

A welder is limited by, process, pipe diameter, PNumber, F- Number, weld metal thickness, position, backing and progression.

All of these Essential Variables must meet the requirements of the WPS to be used in the production weld.