ASME BPVC SECTION IX WELDING_TRAINING - PART 1

ASME BPVC SEC IX WLEDING_TRAINING

Part 1

What is ASME BPVC Section IX?
From the description of the code it is....Welding and Brazing Qualifications

It is in two part:
1) Welding (with all the reference starting with QW)
2) Brazing (With all the reference starting with QB)

Here we will describe only about Welding only.

Now in the section of Welding (QW) there are 5 articles

Article 1 - Welding General Requirements
Article 2 - Welding Procedure Qualifications
Article 3 - Welding Perfomance Qualifications
Article 4 - Welding Data
Article 5 - Standard Welding Procedure Specifications

Try to remember the description of each chapter or at least what it is about.

When ever a question or doubt raises, first separate it as whether it is related to PQR/WPS or Welder qualification. If you are able to differentiate it, half of the journey towards understanding ASME SEC IX_Welding is over.

If it is PQR/WPS related query you have to refer to Article 2,  if it is welder qualification related query you have to refer Article 3.

Now we will have a general look in to each chapters and the content.

Article 1:
             Welder qualification related radiography testing acceptance criteria

Article 2:
            How to make a WPS and PQR.
            Essential, Non essential and supplementary essential variables - for different process
            Manufacturer/contractor responsibility

Article 3:
           Welder Qualification procedure and criteria's.
            Essential, Non essential and supplementary essential variables - for different process
            Manufacturer/contractor responsibility

Article 4:
           All the above 3 articles refer this article for related references. This article should be read only for that reference clause only, the clause reference mentioned in any of the articles 1 to 3.

Article 4:
           If you are a beginner, no need to refer to this portion. These are welding procedures that we commonly use and approved by ASME. Each organisation has to purchase this procedure (from ASME) for making use of it.

Now there is a common question always been asked, which has to be first made, a PQR or WPS.

You will get this answer in the coming discussions.

        You got two metals (in sec ix terminology it is called as base metals) that are to be welded. First understand the chemistry of each metal. Then get the established welding consumable (this can be obtained from industry experts, welding consumable manufacturers and you can find it by googling also.) for welding those two metals.In this section we are on the assumption that you know the material and the electrode/filler wire for welding the same.

Finding the P Number for the base material

We normally use Carbon Steel,Stainless Steel, Alloysteel material etc. ASTM is having nomenclature system and all these materials are haivng 'names' as per ASTM. In carbon steel there are SA106 Gr A, SA106 Gr B etc. In Stainless Steel there are SA312 TP304, SA312 TP16 etc. In Alloy Steel there are SA335 Gr P11, SA335 Gr P22 etc.

Refer QW-420, Page No:74 in ASME Sec IX 2010 ed. P-Numbers are assigned to base metals for the purpose of reducing the number of welding and brazing procedure qualifications required.

From where we will get the P number? Refer QW/QB-422, Page 76 in ASME Sec IX 2010 ed.This table contains grouping of base metals for qualification. The first column in spec no, the second column is Type or Grade. According to the base material to be welded find the spec no and type/grade. The fifth column will give you the P number.

Refer the table below to become familiar with finding the P number.

Material	Reference (QW/QB-422, ASME Sec IX 2010 ed.)	P Number
SA 106 Gr A	Page 76, Row 8	1
SA 106 Gr B	Page 76, Row 9	1
SA 312 TP304	Page 87, Row 8	8
SA 312 TP316	Page 87, Row 28	8
SA 312 TP347	Page 88, Row 8	8
SA 335 GrP11	Page 88, Row 31	4
SA 335 GrP5	Page 88, Row 35	5A
SA 335 GrP9	Page 89, Row 1	5B

The material with Indian Standard IS2062, is assigned with the P number 1 as per ASME SEC IX 2011 ed.

End of part 1of this series.