ASME BPVC.

IX-2015

QW-202

TYPE OF TESTS REQUIRED

(c) Qualification for Fillet Welds. WPS qualification for

fillet welds may be made on grooveweld test coupons
using test specimens specified in (a) or (b). Filletweld
procedures so qualified may be used for welding all thicknesses of base metal for all sizes of fillet welds, and all diameters of pipe or tube in accordance with Table
QW-451.4. Nonpressureretaining fillet welds, as defined
in other Sections of the Code, may as an alternate be qualified with fillet welds only. Tests shall be made in accordance with QW-180. Limits of qualification shall be in
accordance with Table QW-451.3.

QW-202.1 Mechanical Tests. The type and number

of test specimens that shall be tested to qualify a groove
weld procedure are given in QW-451, and shall be removed in a manner similar to that shown in Figures
QW-463.1(a) through QW-463.1(f). If any test specimen
required by QW-451 fails to meet the applicable acceptance criteria, the test coupon shall be considered as
failed.
When it can be determined that the cause of failure is
not related to welding parameters, another test coupon
may be welded using identical welding parameters.
Alternatively, if adequate material of the original test
coupon exists, additional test specimens may be removed
as close as practicable to the original specimen location to
replace the failed test specimens.
When it has been determined that the test failure was
caused by an essential or supplementary essential variable, a new test coupon may be welded with appropriate
changes to the variable(s) that was determined to cause
the test failure. If the new test passes, the essential and
supplementary variables shall be documented on the
PQR.
When it is determined that the test failure was caused
by one or more welding related factors other than essential or supplementary essential variables, a new test coupon may be welded with the appropriate changes to the
welding related factors that were determined to cause
the test failure. If the new test passes, the welding related
factors that were determined to cause the previous test
failure shall be addressed by the organization to ensure
that the required properties are achieved in the production weldment.
Where qualification is for fillet welds only, the requirements are given in QW-202.2(c); and where qualification
is for stud welds only, the requirements are given in
QW-202.5.

QW-202.2

QW-202.3 Weld Repair and Buildup. WPS qualified

on groove welds shall be applicable for weld repairs to
groove and fillet welds and for weld buildup under the
following provisions:
(a) There is no limitation on the thickness of base metal or deposited weld metal for fillet welds.
(b) For other than fillet welds, the thickness range for
base metal and deposited weld metal for each welding
process shall be in accordance with QW-451, except there
need be no upper limit on the base metal thickness provided qualification was made on base metal having a
thickness of 11/2 in. (38 mm) or more.
QW-202.4 Dissimilar Base Metal Thicknesses. WPS
qualified on groove welds shall be applicable for production welds between dissimilar base metal thicknesses
provided:
(a) the thickness of the thinner member shall be within
the range permitted by QW-451
(b) the thickness of the thicker member shall be as
follows:
(1) For PNo. 8, PNo. 41, PNo. 42, PNo. 43, PNo.
44, PNo. 45, PNo. 46, PNo. 49, PNo. 51, PNo. 52,
PNo. 53, PNo. 61, and PNo. 62 metal, there shall be no
limitation on the maximum thickness of the thicker production member in joints of similar PNumber materials
provided qualification was made on base metal having a
thickness of 1/4 in. (6 mm) or greater.
(2) For all other metal, the thickness of the thicker
member shall be within the range permitted by
QW-451, except there need be no limitation on the maximum thickness of the thicker production member provided qualification was made on base metal having a
thickness of 11/2 in. (38 mm) or more.
More than one procedure qualification may be required
to qualify for some dissimilar thickness combinations.

Groove and Fillet Welds

(a) Qualification for Groove Full Penetration Welds.

Grooveweld test coupons shall qualify the thickness
ranges of both base metal and deposited weld metal to
be used in production. Limits of qualification shall be in
accordance with QW-451. WPS qualification for groove
welds shall be made on groove welds using tension and
guidedbend specimens. Notchtoughness tests shall be
made when required by other Section(s) of the Code.
The WPS shall be qualified for use with groove welds
within the range of essential variables listed.
(b) Qualification for Partial Penetration Groove Welds.
Partial penetration groove welds shall be qualified in accordance with the requirements of QW-451 for both base
metal and deposited weld metal thickness, except there
need be no upper limit on the base metal thickness provided qualification was made on base metal having a
thickness of 11/2 in. (38 mm) or more.

QW-202.5 Stud Welding. Procedure qualification

tests for stud welds shall be made in accordance with
QW-192. The procedure qualification tests shall qualify
the welding procedures for use within the range of the essential variables of Table QW-261. For studs welded to
other than PNo. 1 metals, five additional welds shall be
made and subjected to a macrotest, except that this is
not required for studs used for extended heating surfaces.
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ASME BPVC.IX-2015

QW-450
QW-451

SPECIMENS
PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION THICKNESS LIMITS AND TEST SPECIMENS

Table QW-451.1
Groove-Weld Tension Tests and Transverse-Bend Tests
Range of Thickness T of
Base Metal, Qualified,
in. (mm)
[Note (1)] and [Note (2)]
Thickness T of Test
Coupon, Welded,
in. (mm)

Min.

Max.

Maximum Thickness t of
Deposited Weld Metal,
Qualified, in. (mm)
[Note (1)] and [Note (2)]

Type and Number of Tests Required (Tension and

GuidedBend Tests) [Note (2)]
Tension,
QW-150

Side Bend,
QW-160

Face
Bend,
QW-160

Root
Bend,
QW-160

Less than 1/16 (1.5)

2T

2t

...

/16 (1.5)

2T

2t

[Note (5)]

/16 (5)

2T

2t

[Note (5)]

/4 (19) to less than 11/2 (38)

/4 (19) to less than 11/2 (38)

/16 (5)
/16 (5)

2T
2T

2t when t < 3/4 (19)

2T when t 3/4 (19)

2 [Note (4)]
2 [Note (4)]

4
4

...
...

...
...

11/2 (38) to 6 (150), incl.

/16 (5)

8 (200) [Note (3)]

2 [Note (4)]

...

...

1 /2 (38) to 6 (150), incl.

/16 (5)

8 (200) [Note (3)]

2t when t < 3/4 (19)

8 (200) [Note (3)] when
t 3/4 (19)

2 [Note (4)]

...

...

Over 6 (150) [Note (6)]

Over 6 (150) [Note (6)]

1.33T
1.33T

2t when t < 3/4(19)

1.33T when t 3/4 (19)

2 [Note (4)]
2 [Note (4)]

4
4

...
...

...
...

/16 to /8 (1.5 to 10), incl.

3

Over /8 (10), but less than

3
/4 (19)

/16 (5)
/16 (5)

NOTES:
(1) The following variables further restrict the limits shown in this table when they are referenced in QW-250 for the process under consideration: QW-403.9, QW-403.10, QW-404.32, and QW-407.4. Also, QW-202.2, QW-202.3, and QW-202.4 provide exemptions that
supersede the limits of this table.
(2) For combination of welding procedures, see QW-200.4.
(3) For the SMAW, SAW, GMAW, PAW, and GTAW welding processes only; otherwise per Note (1) or 2T , or 2t , whichever is applicable.
(4) see QW-151.1, QW-151.2, and QW-151.3 for details on multiple specimens when coupon thicknesses are over 1 in. (25 mm).
(5) Four sidebend tests may be substituted for the required face and rootbend tests, when thickness T is 3/8 in. (10 mm) and over.
(6) For test coupons over 6 in. (150 mm) thick, the full thickness of the test coupon shall be welded.

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ASME BPVC.IX-2015

Table QW-451.2
Groove-Weld Tension Tests and Longitudinal-Bend Tests
Thickness t of
Range of Thickness T of Deposited Weld Metal
Qualified, in. (mm)
Base Metal Qualified, in.
[Note (1)] and
(mm) [Note (1)] and
[Note (2)]
[Note (2)]
Thickness T of Test
Coupon Welded, in. (mm)
Less than 1/16 (1.5)
1
/16 to 3/8 (1.5 to 10), incl.
Over 3/8 (10)

Min.
T
/16 (1.5)
3
/16 (5)
1

Type and Number of Tests Required (Tension and

GuidedBend Tests) [Note (2)]

Max.

Max.

Tension,
QW-150

Face Bend,
QW-160

Root Bend,
QW-160

2T
2T
2T

2t
2t
2t

2
2
2

2
2
2

2
2
2

NOTES:
(1) The following variables further restrict the limits shown in this table when they are referenced in QW-250 for the process under
consideration: QW-403.9, QW-403.10, QW-404.32, and QW-407.4. Also, QW-202.2, QW-202.3, and QW-202.4 provide exemptions
that supersede the limits of this table.
(2) For combination of welding procedures, see QW-200.4.

Table QW-451.3
Fillet-Weld Tests
Type of
Joint

Thickness of Test
Coupons as Welded, in.

Fillet

Per Figure QW-462.4(a)

Fillet

Per Figure QW-462.4(d)

Range Qualified

Type and Number of Tests Required

[Figure QW-462.4(a) or
Figure QW-462.4(d)] Macro

All fillet sizes on all base metal

thicknesses and all diameters

GENERAL NOTE: A production assembly mockup may be substituted in accordance with QW-181.1.1. When a production assembly
mockup is used, the range qualified shall be limited to the fillet weld size, base metal thickness, and configuration of the mockup. Alternatively, multiple production assembly mockups may be qualified. The range of thickness of the base metal qualified shall be no less than
the thickness of the thinner member tested and no greater than the thickness of the thicker member tested. The range for fillet weld sizes
qualified shall be limited to no less than the smallest fillet weld tested and no greater than the largest fillet weld tested. The configuration
of production assemblies shall be the same as that used in the production assembly mockup.

Table QW-451.4
Fillet Welds Qualified by Groove-Weld Tests
Thickness T of Test Coupon
(Plate or Pipe) as Welded
All groove tests

Range Qualified
All fillet sizes on all base metal
thicknesses and all diameters

Type and Number of Tests Required

Fillet welds are qualified when the groove
weld is qualified in accordance with
either Table QW-451.1 or Table
QW-451.2 (see QW-202.2)

GENERAL NOTE: Supplementary essential variables apply when notch toughness is required by other Sections.

174