I qualified a welder in SMAW. Test coupon thk-13mm; using E 6010(for ROOT&HOT), E 7018(Fill& capping) more than 3 layers welded. Is the welder qualified for unlimited thk? (E6010 is F No-3 & E7018 is F No 4. when ever there is a change in essential variable, limits for the thicknesses shall be considred separately)

Hi,

please have a look to table QW-353. This is a list of all essential welding variables for a SMAW performance qualification. Therefore acc. to QW-306 (“....limits for thicknesses of deposited weld metal …..shall be considered individually for each welder or welding operator ……or whenever there is a change in an essential variable… .” SMAW with F-No.3 and with F-No. 4 shall be shall be considered individually. That means the welder above is not qualified for unlimited thickness.

Please note F No. 3 qualify for F1 through F3 while F No. 4 qualifies for F1 through F4. In addition the common used welding position with a high efficiency for E6010 (high cellulose sodium covering) is vertical upwards while this position for E7018 (potassium covering) is not possible, which is a second reason that both shall be considered individually.

_________________
Kind regards,
Juergen Fleischfresser

Juergen;

A question. IF the welder uses BOTH the F3 and F4 as demonstrated in performance qualifications, would he not then be qualified for unlimited thickness, but only lesser thicknesses if he wished to use each F - Number separately? In my opinion he would be qualified for unlimited thickness provided he used BOTH F3 and F4 electrodes in a given joint.

Okay... looks like my response was incorrect. Sorry!

Why vertical upward not possible for E7018?

Hi,

sorry I have make a clerical mistake. Here my correction:

The common used welding position with a high efficiency for E6010 (high cellulose sodium covering) is vertical downwards while this position for E7018 (potassium covering) is not possible...

_________________
Kind regards,
Juergen Fleischfresser