Section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

Overview
The forms listed below form the basis for verifying welding procedures and welder
performance:

 WPS - welding procedure specification

 PQR - procedure qualification record
 WPQ - welder performance qualification

There are three steps in qualifying welders and welding procedure specifications to
Section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC).

First, prepare a welding procedure specification (WPS). The WPS must contain the
minimum requirements that are specified by the code. The WPS provides guidance for
welding by specifying ranges for each variable.

Second, a procedure qualification record (PQR) is used to verify the WPS. The WPS is
qualified by welding procedure qualification test coupons. The variables and tests used
are recorded on a PQR.

Third, the performance of the welders is verified by welding performance qualification

test coupons. The variables and tests used with the particular variable ranges qualified
are recorded on a welders performance qualification (WPQ) record.

Another way of conceptualizing these requirements is shown below:

Specify:
Variable Ranges
WPS
Essential Variables
Nonessential Variables
Record:
Actual Variables
PQR
Essential Variables
Tests And Results
Record:
Actual Variables
WPQ
Specify Ranges Qualified
Tests And Results
Outline of Articles in ASME Section IX
An abbreviated summary of items covered in ASME Section IX is provided below

Article I - Welding General Requirements QW-100

Article I covers the scope of ASME Section IX, the purpose and use of the WPS, PQR
and WPQ, responsibility, test positions, types and purposes of tests and examinations,
test procedures, acceptance criteria, visual examination, and radiographic examination.

Article II - Welding Procedure Qualifications QW-200

Article II covers the rules for the preparation of WPS and PQR. Each process is listed
separately in QW-250 with the essential, supplementary essential, and nonessential
variables.

The WPS shall specify a value or range for each essential, nonessential and, when
necessary, each supplementary essential variable listed for each welding process. The
PQR shall record the value for each essential and, when necessary, each
supplementary essential variable used.

When a change is made in an essential variable, the WPS must be revised, and
requalified with a new PQR, unless the revision can be supported by an existing PQR.

Similarly, when the code requires notch-toughness, supplementary essential variables

become additional essential variables. When a change is made in a supplementary
essential variable, the WPS must be revised, and requalified by a new PQR, unless the
revision can be supported by an existing PQR for notch-toughness applications.

Article III - Welding Performance Qualifications QW-300

Article III covers the preparation of WPQ records. Each welding process is listed
separately in QW-350 with the essential variables for welding performance. The WPQ
form must record a value for each essential variable used and must list a range qualified
for each of these essential variables.

Article III covers responsibility, type of tests, records, welder identification, positions,
diameters, expiration and renewal of qualifications. Welders and Welding Operators
may be qualified by visual and mechanical tests, or by radiography of a test coupon, or
by radiography of the initial production weld.

Article IV - Welding Data QW-400

Article IV covers welding variables that are used in the preparation and qualification of
the WPS, PQR or the WPQ as applicable. Some of the welding variables are listed
below:

 Joints
 Base Materials
 Filler Materials
 Positions
 Preheat
 Postweld Heat Treatment
 Gas
 Electrical Characteristics
 Technique

Article IV also includes assignments of P-Numbers (ASME base materials), S-Numbers

(other materials), F-Numbers (grouping of filler metals) and A-Numbers (weld metal
chemical analysis).

Tables for WPS qualification thickness limits and tables for WPQ thickness and
diameter limits are also included. There are tables for welding positions signifying that a
welder who qualifies in a particular position is qualified to weld within a range of
positions as appropriate. Furthermore, test coupons, the removal of test specimens, and
the test jig dimensions are identified.

Article V - Standard Welding Procedure Specifications (SWPS) QW-500

Article V covers rules for the adoption, demonstration, and application of the Standard
Welding Procedure Specifications, (SWPSs).