Dear Experts
PQR Coupon - 8" x Sch 80 x ASTM A106 Grade B
Weld Process - Root - GTAW / Hot/Fill/Cap - SMAW
Weld Position - 6G- Uphill

Question- Min & max. Dia x Weld Metal Deposit thk qualification range if :

1) Without impact test requirement
2) With impact test rquirement
Thanks

Nalla; ASME does not limit diameter in the case of PQR's, thickness in your case would be 5mm minimum and 2T maximum.

Can't provide a response regarding impacts as limits are defined in constructing codes (which you don't mention) and not ASME IX.

Dear Jon
Thanks for your response
Is the range you had mentioned in ref to QW-451?
Const. Code - ASME B31.3
Thanks.

Yes, the thickness range is from QW-451.

If B31.3; with impacts, maximum thickness is the thickness of the test coupon plus 6mm. Minimum thickness = 1/2 Thickness of test coupon.

Without impacts same range as ASME IX.

Nalla,

for PQR’s Article II of ASME IX is applicable.
QW-211 gives the information concerning qualified diameter range as follows:
That means there are no diameter limitations as already mentioned by Jon.

However, I cannot agree to Jon concerning the qualified thickness range with impact test requirements.
The design code gives the information only if impact test are required or not. If impact tests are required in addition to the essential, the supplementary essential welding variables are applicable.
In your case (GTAW, SMAW) tables QW-253 and QW-256 are the guide for the applicable welding variables.
That means if impact test are not required by the design code QW-403.8 is applicable for the base metal thickness range and QW-404.30 for the weld metal thickness range. QW-403.8 and QW-404.30 give a reference to table QW-451.
If impact tests are required by the design code in addition to the paragraphs above QW-403.6 is applicable for the base metal thickness range.

Thickness of the test coupon (Pipe NPS 8" x Sch 80): 0.5 inch (12.7 mm).

Qualified thickness range without impact tests:
Base metal: 5 mm through 25.4 mm (5 mm through 2 T, as mentioned by Jon above)
Weld metal: max. 25. 4 mm

Qualified thickness range with impact tests:
Base metal: 12.7 mm through 25.4 mm (T through 2 T)
Weld metal: max. 25. 4 mm

If impact tests are required the lower limits only for the base metal thickness range are changed.

Hope that helps

_________________
Kind regards,
Juergen Fleischfresser

Juergen, I don't mind disagreement, it can be healthy and also informative however, please read below (which BOTH the Chair of B31.3 and IX are in agreement with):

328.2 Welding Qualifications
328.2.1 Qualification Requirements
(a) Qualification of the welding procedures to be used
and of the performance of welders and welding operators
shall conform to the requirements of the BPV Code,
Section IX except as modified herein.

(d) When impact testing is required by the Code or
the engineering design, those requirements shall be met
in qualifying welding procedures.

Table 323.3.1 Impact Testing Requirements for Metals

Number of test pieces

One piece, thickness T, for each range material thickness from T/2 to T + 6 mm (1⁄4 in.)

Section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code relates to the qualification of welders, welding operators,
brazers, and brazing operators, and the procedures
employed in welding or brazing in accordance with the
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the ASME
B31 Code for Pressure Piping. As such, this is an active
document subject to constant review, interpretation, and
improvement to recognize new developments and research
data. Section IX is a document referenced for qualification
by various construction codes such as Section I, III, IV,
VIII, etc. These particular construction codes apply to specific
types of fabrication and may impose additional welding
requirements or exemptions to Section IX
qualifications.

Jon,

the requirements for the PQR mentioned only in paragraph 328.2.1.

The referenced table 323.3.1 gives only information for the number of required impact test specimen:
“One piece thickness T, for each range material thickness from T/2 to T + 6 mm (1⁄4 in.)”.

For the qualified thickness ranges, ASME IX is applicable only.

_________________
Kind regards,
Juergen Fleischfresser

I guess we must agree to disagree. The information I provided comes from my understanding of B31.3 and my opinion is shared by the B31.3 committee chair, but then of course, that too is only an opinion of his.

Just a follow up that may clarify:

Interpretation: 21-18
Subject: ASME B31.3-2004, Paras. 323.3.1 and K323.3.1, and Table K323.3.1, Impact Testing
Date Issued: September 20, 2006
File: 06-1097
Question: When performing impact tests to qualify a welding procedure, does the range of material thickness specified in Table 323.3.1 apply?
Reply: Yes.

So then it is no longer about opinions, the Rules are as stated above.

Edit: Here's some background for information: Per B31.3, the range of qualification is always T/2 to (T plus 1/4"). The rules of Section IX are the same but only for thin section materials less than 1/4". The Section IX rules are not consistent with B31.3 for any materials greater than 1/4" since the Section IX minimum thickness would be the lesser of T or 5/8" and there is no maximum thickness.

As we shouild all know, the rules for construction always take precedence over the rules for qualification. In simple terms B31.3 overrides those requirements of ASME IX. Good lesson to remember.

Dear Experts
THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUTS

Another interpretation from B31.3 on which code takes precedence,

Interpretation: 4-17
Subject:
Date Issued:
File:
327.5.Hd) and 327.5.2
January 29, 1986
B31-85-031
c
Question (1): When qualifying welding procedures which require impact testing, is the basic qualified thickness range 1/2 t to t + 1/4 in. rather than the range given in Section IX of the ASME Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code of the lesser of 5/8 in., and t to 2t as in QW-403.6 (where t is thickness of test coupon)?
Reply (1): Yes.

Regards,
BB