Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) also known as Welder Qualification Test (WQT) or Performance Qualification is a very basic but one of the most important steps before assigning a job to the welder.
The welder qualification test (WQT) is performed to determine the skill of a welder, in other words, we can say that the welder performance qualification is carried out to check whether the welder or the welding operator can produce a sound weld or not.
How the performance qualification test is carried out?
First of all a test piece also known as test coupon is prepared as per the requirements of the approved WPS then the welder is asked to weld the test coupon in accordance with the qualified welding procedure specification (WPS).
Initial Inspection: Soon after completing the root run, a visual inspection is conducted to check for any signs of lack of fusion, lack of penetration or any surface defects then LPT (DPT or PT) can be performed (if required by the procedure).
Proceeding with welding: If the root run passes the inspection, then welder is allowed to proceed further. After completion of the entire welding, which includes the fill-up and final run, another visual inspection is performed, along with Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPI) or Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) as per the requirements of the procedure, If the test coupon is satisfactory then it is sent for RT or DT for final testing.
Final Testing: Once the test coupon is finalized, it is sent for further evaluation through Radiography test – RT (or Ultrasonic Test – UT) or Mechanical tests depending on the requirements. After a satisfactory test report, A certificate and Identity card shall be issued to the welder and he may be employed for production welding (or fabrication welding). These are the general steps followed in most of the industries for the qualification of the welders in groove welding.
The following important factors shall always be considered before conducting the welder qualification test (WQT);
- Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
- Welding Process
- Size of test coupon
- Position of the test coupon
- Filler metal/Electrode
Welding Procedure Specification: All welding parameters viz. welding current, voltage, base metal, filler/electrode, etc. shall be in accordance with the qualified welding procedure specification.
Welding Process: For each welding process a welder has to be qualified separately. Suppose a welder qualifies for SMAW then he shall be employed only for SMAW welding. In case if our requirement is MIG welding then the same welder will have to weld a different test coupon by MIG welding process then only he can be allowed for MIG welding.
The thickness of the weld metal deposit and the size of the test coupon: The thickness of the deposited weld metal is very important because of the following two things;
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It determines the performance qualification thickness range i.e. up to what thickness the welder can weld. AWS D1.1 and ASME BPVC Section IX are two widely used welding codes. In ASME BPVC Section IX the performance qualification thickness limit for groove weld is given in Table QW452.1(b), and the outside diameter range for groove weld is given in Table QW452.3. The thickness range is explained later in this article.
- The length and width of the test coupon shall be sufficient enough for the final test (i.e. Radiography or Mechanical test).
Thickness Range or thickness limit for welders:
The qualified thickness limit is specified in Table QW 452.1 (b) of ASME Section IX. This table outlines the maximum thickness range that a welder is permitted to weld, based on the amount of weld metal deposited during their qualification test. A simplified version of Table QW 452.1 (b) is given below;
Note: Here the word “Maximum” means, the welder can weld up to any thickness but not beyond the range specified in the welding procedure specification.
Based on the information provided in the table, three important points can be highlighted:
- Maximum Weldable Thickness: A welder is allowed to weld a maximum thickness of 2T, where T represents the thickness of the weld metal deposited on the test coupon by that welder during the qualification test.
- Minimum Thickness Criteria: There are no specified criteria for minimum thickness.
- Qualification for Unlimited Thickness: If a welder deposits weld metal that is 13 mm or thicker (with a minimum of three layers), they qualify for unlimited thickness. However, the maximum thickness they can weld must not exceed the limits specified in the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) range.
Important Notes:
- When using multiple welders, processes, or variables, measure and record each weld metal thickness individually to determine the qualified thickness.
- Use multiple pipe test coupons with varying thicknesses to establish the maximum qualified weld metal thickness, which can be applied to production welds meeting the diameter requirements in Table QW-452.3.
- For test coupons 3/4 in. (19 mm) or thicker, a combination of three or more welders can take qualification test using the same or different processes.
Diameter limits (OD) for welders:
The qualified outside diameter (OD) limit for groove welding in pipes is specified in Table QW 452.3 of ASME Section IX. A simplified version of that table is given below;
Position of the test coupon:
For plate welding, we have four different welding test positions flat, horizontal, vertical & overhead 1G,2G,3G,4G OR 1F,2F,3F,4F. For pipe welding also, we have multiple positions for example 1G,2G,5G,6G OR 1F,2F,4F,5F. If the welder qualifies in the 2G position then he can weld in horizontal (2G) and flat (1G) positions only. On the other hand, if the welder qualifies in 2G, 3G, and 4G positions then he qualifies for all positions (As per ASME Section IX). Please note that there is a slight difference in AWS D1.1, for qualification in all positions the welder needs to weld in 3G and 4G positions only. For the Limitation on positions, one can refer to Table QW 461.9 of ASME Section IX. To learn more about welding positions, please click here.
Welder Qualification Test in 6G Position:
In the 6G test position, the test coupon is made up of pipe and it is kept at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal line. The test coupon remains fixed (at 45 degrees) and the welder moves in all directions to complete this welding. It is one of the toughest qualification tests for welders and If a welder successfully completes this test then he/she shall be qualified in all positions. Hence a 6G qualified welder can be employed for all position welding.
To learn more about the welding positions, please click here.
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A video on practical demonstration of welder qualification test conducted in vertical (3G) Position, Please watch ;
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Also read: Welding Symbols
Also read: Welding Positions
Also read: How to write a welding procedure specification (WPS)
Also read: P-number, F-number, and A-number in welding
DO you have ASNT RT questions and answers 3rd edition ?
Do you have AWS A3.0:2010 in spanish ?
Thanks.
Dear Mr. Sandro,
Thank you for visiting my website. I am sorry to say that I don’t have ASNT RT questions and answers 3rd edition, but I do have some useful study materials and questions for RT. If you are interested then I will email you. All the books are in English only
Regards
Sandeep Anand
Thanks Mr sandeep to share this very important and basic information. Matter to us. People must be know that those who have been working in relevant field .
My name- anil kumar sharma
Study from C.I.T.S kanpur
Sir nowadays, the question of multi choice question type in welding is being asked, so you have created a little multi-choice question that is coming in computation and exam.
Please!
Dear sir please explain in brief PQR,WPS,WPQ
Also if you know about post heatong and pre heating, post weldingand heat treatment please explain.
I will upload all the basic concepts and step by step procedure for WPS, PQR, WPQ, preheating & PWHT very soon.
Good job sandeep. 👍
Hello sandip sir, your videos and website so is useful for us, I watched your every video and I gain to much knowledge from here, I am so grateful to you. Thanking you to provide this useful information. Sir I Want to know about pwht, please help me and i kindly request to make another video on this topic.
Sir please send interview questions and answers.
Sir,
I want to know what thickness qualifications can make me unlimited qualified?
For different materials should I need to go for individual material qualifications test?
Please advise.
Thank you.
Your website are very usefull. You did great job. Have you post any video related to destructive testing ?
Please send WQT asper AWS D1.1
congratulation Sr
I need to know whether if two welders are performing for wqt eg 14″, one welder is passed and other one rejected by RT.
1. then we can accept the passed one?
2. what about the rejected one?
3. give ur comments as per code and sec vice.
thanks in advance
dear sir ,
Can you explain me how to select test coupon size for wps & wpq as per asme section 9.
Guys if any one know please tell me with reference number.
Great explanation Sandeep Sir !!
WPQ/ PQR KA KOI FORMAT SEND KIJIYE SIR
first of all ,what u r doing is a wonderful job, which improves knowledge as well as clarifies doubts, it will be very helpful if a content of multiple choice question and answers with explanation based on welder procedure qualification and welder performance qualification .my wattsapp num is 9948812006 .
can u share ur contact details.
Thank you
Great Job and happy to go through your website always… keep it up and do more subjects
I don’t have a subscription to AWS D1.1 to confirm for myself so I am hoping you can answer. I am an ASME certified welder and the bulk of my experience is with ASME, of course being qualified to Sect. IX and I understand testing in the 6G position qualifies a welder for all positions, however I am on an AWS project where my structural welders are qualifying in 3 positions per AWS and I am being told that AWS does not allow for one all position test as ASME does so we are running 3 coupons each (flat, horizontal and overhead) to qualify for all position which takes more time. It it true that AWS does not allow for an all position like ASME does and would these three positions qualify an AWS welder for vertical up as well? Seems we are spending a lot of time testing that could be spent in production if we just tested once for all positions and I am wondering if I am being informed correctly that AWS does not allow it. Is this true? Thanks!
Hey, sir u r too good sir,
I’m interested In CSWIP
Can u send me CSWIP 3.1 & 3.2 E-Book , notes etc
It will be help me sir
Thanks
Hiii sir
U r awesome
I’m interested in CSWIP
Pls.send me CSWIP 3.1 and 3.2 e-book, pdf notes,
Thanks sir
Sir ,We have prepared weld test sample as per ASME D1.1 Thick 12 mm & Thick 25mm and plate size 150mmx300mm.
My query is that ,we made sample for microetch test ,so same sample will be used for break test or not.
How many weld samples to be performed for a welder qualification?