ASME SECTION IX INTERPRETATIONS
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Interpretation: IX-77-04
Subject: Section IX, Tack Welder Qualification
Date Issued: January 31, 1977
File: NA
Question: May a welder be qualified as a tack welder if his tack welds were a part of another
welder's qualification test coupon or part of another welding procedure qualification test which
met the intent of the Code?
Reply: The Code requires that all welders, (including tack welders), must be qualified per
Section IX.
Interpretation: IX-78-16
Subject: Section IX, QW-255, Flux Cored Arc Welding
Date Issued: February 27, 1978
File: BC77-502
Question: Does gas metal-arc welding (GMAW) in the procedure qualification and
performance qualification refer also to flux cored arc welding (FCAW)? If so, should welders be
qualified separately under both processes?
Reply: Flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is permissible under the Code and is considered to
come under the more general method of welding known as gas metal-arc welding (GMAW).
Welders do not have to be qualified separately unless there is a change in any of the Essential
Variables. However, there is an Essential Variable for procedure qualification, QW-404.23, that
requires separate qualification for solid wire and for flux cored wire for the GMAW process.
Interpretation: IX-78-76
Subject: Section IX, QW-153(d)
Date Issued: June 7, 1978
File No: BC78-223
Question: QW-153.1(d) permits acceptance of the tension test if the specimen breaks in the
base metal outside of the weld or fusion line where the strength is not more than 5% below the
specified minimum tensile strength of the base metal. What are the requirements if the specimen
breaks in the weld or fusion line?
Reply: If the tension test specimen breaks in the weld or fusion line, it shall have a tensile
strength not less than that required in QW-153.1(a), (b), or (c).
VOLUME 18
Interpretation: IX-86-08
Subject: Section IX, QW-200.4
Date Issued: December 4, 1985
File No: BC85-134
Question (1): Per QW-200.4(a), may two or more separate WPSs (each properly qualified to
weld the joint individually) be used to weld a single production joint without writing a new WPS
combining the separate WPSs into a single WPS?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Does QW-211.4(a) permit the referencing of a separately qualified WPS to cover
the root pass welding of open root joints in another WPS?
Reply (2): Yes.
Interpretation: IX-86-12
Subject: Section IX, QW-355
Date Issued: December 4, 1985
File: BC85-482
Question: Is FCAW included with GMAW in QW-355?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-86-46
Subject: Section IX, QW-355
Date Issued: November 24, 1986
File: BC86-219
Question: Is a welder who is qualified using gas metal-arc welding (GMAW) also qualified for
flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) or vice versa, provided the other variables for performance
qualification remain unchanged?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-86-70
Subject: Section IX, QW-200.2 and QW-483
Date Issued: May 7, 1987
File: BC87-089
Question (1): Is the absence of a laboratory test number on a Procedure Qualification Record
(PQR), QW-483 or equivalent, cause for rendering the document invalid?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): Is the PQR invalid if the laboratory test results are specified on a PQR and neither
the laboratory nor the owner of the PQR can produce a copy of the laboratory test results?
Reply (2): No.
VOLUME 27
Interpretation: IX-89-34
Subject: Section IX, QW-404.5
Date Issued: January 3, 1990
File: BC89-172
Question: If a WPS and PQR have been qualified with filler material purchased to an established
procurement document, is it required by QW-404.5 to requalify each time that filler material is
reordered to the procurement document?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: IX-89-35
Subject: Section IX, Multi-process Qualification
Date Issued: January 3, 1990
File: BC89-307
Question: A qualified (multiple process) WPS lists the following: Diameter and pipe schedule –
6 in. Sch. xxs (0.864 in. nominal thickness); GTAW root pass – 0.100 in. deposit thickness;
SMAW hot and fill passes – 0.764 in. deposit thickness. A welder performed a performance
qualification test, using the above WPS. An inspector, using a vernier caliper measured the root
pass deposit and determined 0.125 in. thickness had been deposited by the GTAW process, and
subsequently rejected the performance test based on excessive deposit by the GTAW process.
The coupon was radiographed and, additionally, side-bend specimens were removed and tested.
Both met all the Section IX requirements for performance qualification. Since there are no
tolerances stated in any of the tables relating to welding process deposits or test coupon
specimens, does the Code require verification of the deposit thickness of weldments to the degree
cited above?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: IX-89-36
Subject: Section IX, QW-409.8 and QW-422
Date Issued: January 3, 1990
File: BC89-357
Question (1): When a constant current power supply is used in SMAW and GTAW, is a voltage
or voltage range required to be listed on the WPS, provided the voltage is addressed (i.e. N/A)?
Notch-toughness testing is not applicable.
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): ASTM SB-163, 166, 167 and 168 – Specification for Nickel Chromium Alloys in
various shapes and forms, include UNS No. N06600 and UNS No. N06690 material. In the P-
No. 43 base material listing, only UNS No. N06600 is specified. May the UNS No. N06690 be
included in the P-No. 43 grouping to reduce welding procedure qualifications?
Reply (2): No.
Interpretation: IX-89-39
Subject: Section IX, QW-216.2(d)
Date Issued: January 3, 1990
File: BC89-361
Question: When obtaining the chemical analysis required in QW-216.2(d) from the test coupon
detailed in QW-462.5, shall the minimum thickness qualified be measured from the fusion line so
that the chemical sample included the effect of base metal dilution in the deposit?
Reply: Yes.
VOLUME 29
Interpretation: IX-89-83
Subject: Section IX, QW-151.1, QW-451
Date Issued: January 2, 1991
File: BC90-532
Question (1): Are two single full plate thickness specimens necessary to satisfy the requirements
of QW-451 when they are prepared in accordance with QW-151.1(a)?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Is the qualified thickness range of QW-451 based on the “as-welded” coupon
thickness, even though the coupon is subsequently machined to less thickness, in order to obtain
parallel surfaces?
Reply (2): Yes.
Interpretation: IX-89-87
Subject: Section IX, QW-202.2(c)
Date Issued: January 2, 1991
File: BC90-745
Question: May pressure retaining fillet welds be qualified by means other than a groove weld
test coupon?
Reply: No
Interpretation: IX-89-95
Subject: Section IX, QW-452.1
Date Issued: March 7, 1991
File No: BC90-869
Question: Is a welder who has qualified using a deposit thickness of 0.90 in. qualified to weld the
entire thickness of a 3 in. thick material?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-12
Subject: Section IX; QW-322.2 – Expiration and Renewal of Qualifications of Welders
Date Issued: October 7, 1991
File No BC91-264
Question: May a welder that has qualified on 2 in. and 6 in. diameter stainless steel pipe ,
maintain qualification by making one butt weld on 6 in. stainless steel pipe?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-18
Subject: QW-422 and QW-423; Alternate Base Materials for Welder Qualification,
A-Numbers
Date Issued: October 7, 1991
File No: 91-389
Question (1): Is a welder, who has qualified using mild steel base material P-No. 1 to P-No. 1
using either GMAW, GTAW, or PAW welding processes and filler metal F6/A1, qualified to
weld austenitic stainless steel P-No. 8 to P-No. 8?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Is the A-Number an essential variable for a welder performance qualification test?
Reply (2): No.
Interpretation: IX-92-22
Subject: Section IX; QW-322.2 – Expiration and Renewal of Welder Qualification
Date Issued: October 7, 1991
File No: BC91-425
Question (1): Does a welder who is qualified for a given process for both groove and
corrosion-resistant weld metal overlay maintain his qualification for groove welding if, for more
than six months, the welder only does corrosion-resistant weld metal overlay welding?
Reply (1): Yes.
Question (2): Does the non-Code welding work need to be examined by NDE to maintain the
welder’s qualification?
Reply (2): No.
Question (3): May a welder maintain his qualification by welding on temporary attachments
without any NDE?
Reply (3): Yes.
VOLUME 32
Interpretation: IX-92-42
Subject: QW-200.4(a), Combination of Welding Processes
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-011
Question: May a single set of weld metal impact test specimens be used to qualify two or more
processes or procedures?
Reply: Yes, provided weld metal from each process or procedure is included in each specimen.
Interpretation: IX-92-43
Subject: QW-492, Definition of Machine Welding
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-100
Question: Is a GMAW spot welding process in which all variables are preset, except for
placement of the nozzle against the material and activation of the trigger by the operator,
considered machine welding?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-44
Subject: QW-251.4 and QW-280, Special Processes
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-168
Question (1): According to the 1990 Addenda of Section IX, are there any supplementary
essential or nonessential variables required to be addressed in a WPS for the special processes
described in QW-280?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): According to the 1991 Addenda of Section IX, are there any supplementary
essential or nonessential variables required to be addressed in a WPS for the special processes
described in QW-251.4?
Reply (2): No.
Interpretation: IX-92-45
Subject: QW303.2 and QW-452.4, Fillet Welds
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-238
Question: When Section IX requires separate performance qualification for fillet welds on small
diameter pipe, does the same requirement apply to longitudinal fillet welds (such as the
attachment of gussets in the longitudinal direction)?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: IX-92-46
Subject: QW-303.3 and QW-461.9, Special Positions for Performance Qualification
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-265
Question: Is a welder who is qualified to weld groove welds in a special orientation, also
qualified to weld in the 1G position?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-47
Subject: QW-322.2, Renewal of Qualification
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-266
Question: May the renewal of welder and welding operator performance qualification be done on
production work?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-48
Subject: QW-466, Test Jigs
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-267
Question: In determining the appropriate test jig dimensions of QW-466 to use for bend tests, is
it permissible to use the dimensions corresponding to P-No. 35 material when the filler metal is a
F-No. 36, even though the base material is other than a P-No. 35 material?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: IX-92-49
Subject: QW-466, Test Jigs
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-268
Question: In qualifying a welding procedure which utilizes a F-No. 36 filler of ER CuAl-A1
(SFA 5.7) for corrosion resistant weld metal overlay of a P-No. 1 carbon steel material, is the
required mandrel diameter for side bend testing 4t as determined from column A of QW-466.1,
QW-466.2 or QW-466.3?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-50
Subject: QW-403.6, Base Metals
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-217
Question: If Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) notch toughness requirements are applicable, does QW-
403.6, base metal thickness requirements apply?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-51
Subject: QW-451.3 and QW-462.4, Fillet Weld Test Specimens – Procedure; and QW-
452.4, Performance Qualification Thickness Limits and Test Specimens
Date Issued: September 30, 1992
File No: 92-276
Question: If a welder performs a procedure qualification per QW-462.4(d) using 2 in. NPS pipe
and passes, is he qualified for all diameters as outlined in QW-451.3?
Reply: No, per QW-452.4, he is qualified down to 1 in. O.D.
Interpretation: IX-92-52
Subject: QW-462.5, Corrosion-Resistant Overlay Cladding/Hard-Facing Overlay,
Chemical Analysis Specimen
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-252
Question: May only one chemical analysis specimen be removed from the vertical portion of a
6G positioned hard-facing welded PQR coupon when the weld travel direction is reversed every
other weld pass resulting in weld beads deposited in vertical-upward and vertical-downward
direction?
Reply: Yes, provided a chemical analysis represents each vertical travel direction.
Interpretation: IX-92-53
Subject: QW-452.1, Groove Weld Procedure Qualifications Thickness Limits and Test
Specimens
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-254
Question: A welder has qualified on 3 in. O.D. ½ in. wall pipe in the 1G position. He has also
qualified on 1¼ in. O.D. ⅛ in. wall pipe in the 6G position. Is he qualified to weld 1¼ in. O.D. ½
in. wall in all positions?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: IX-92-54
Subject: QW-214.3, Corrosion-Resistant Weld Metal Overlay
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-305
Question: Prior to the 1991 Addenda, did QW-214.3 address the number of chemical analysis
tests required for Corrosion-Resistant Weld Metal Overlay utilizing the GTAW Machine Welding
Process in the 5G or 6G position?
Reply: No.
Interpretation: IX-92-55
Subject: QW-103.2, Records
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-307
Question: Is it acceptable to satisfy the requirements of QW-103.2 for record maintenance,
certification, and accessibility by means of an electronic storage medium, e.g., computer
database?
Reply: Section IX does not address the media in which records are required to be maintained.
Interpretation: IX-92-56
Subject: QW-451.3, Fillet Weld Tests
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-308
Question: A welder performs a fillet weld procedure qualification in accordance with QW-451.3,
which fails; therefore, neither the procedure nor the welder are qualified. Is it permissible for the
welder to then perform a successful groove weld procedure qualification test and be qualified for
grooves and fillets?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-57
Subject: QW-253, QW-256 and QW-406.3, Maximum Interpass Temperature
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-354
Question: According to the 199 Addenda of Section IX, is it permissible to revise a WPS by
increasing interpass temperature to more than 100ºF above that recorded on the supporting PQR
when supplementary essential variables do not apply without requalification?
Reply: Yes.
Interpretation: IX-92-58
Subject: QW-364, Friction Welding
Date Issued: December 14, 1992
File No: 92-357
Question: For performance qualification, is a friction weld operator required to requalify for each
seat size and base metal combination to be qualified to operate the machine?
Reply: Yes.
VOLUME 33
Interpretation: IX-92-59
