Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Welding
Procedures
(BS EN 288)
Welding Procedures
Producing a welding procedure involves:
Planning the tasks
Collecting the data
Writing a procedure for use of for trial
Making a test welds
Evaluating the results
Approving the procedure
Preparing the documentation
Copyright © 2003 TWI Ltd M.S.Rogers
SWI 3.2
Welding Procedures
In most codes reference is made to how the procedure are to be
devised and whether approval of these procedures is required.
The approach used for procedure approval depends on the code:
Example codes:
AWS D.1.1: Structural Steel Welding Code
BS 2633: Class 1 welding of Steel Pipe Work
API 1104: Welding of Pipelines
BS 4515: Welding of Pipelines over 7 Bar
Welding Procedures
Components of a welding procedure
Parent material
• Type (Grouping)
• Thickness
• Diameter (Pipes)
• Surface condition)
Welding process
• Type of process (MMA, MAG, TIG, SAW etc)
• Equipment parameters
• Amps, Volts, Travel speed
Welding process
• Type of process (MMA, MAG, TIG, SAW etc)
• Equipment parameters
• Amps, Volts, Travel speed
Welding Consumables
• Type of consumable/diameter of consumable
• Brand/classification
• Heat treatments/ storage
Copyright © 2003 TWI Ltd M.S.Rogers
SWI 3.2
Welding Procedures
Joint design
• Edge preparation
• Root gap, root face
• Jigging and tacking
• Type of baking
Welding Position
• Location, shop or site
• Welding position e.g. 1G, 2G, 3G etc
• Any weather precaution
Welding Variables
• Run sequences
• Back gouging
• Interpass temperatures
Thermal heat treatments
• Preheat, temps
• Post weld heat treatments e.g. stress relieving
Copyright © 2003 TWI Ltd M.S.Rogers
SWI 3.2
Welding Procedures
Approving the procedure:
When the data has been collected, the procedure must
be validated by producing a test weld, weld procedure
test (WPT).
A number of standards provides information with
regards to approving a procedure, but normally this will
require the WPT to be tested by NDT and mechanical
testing.
The locations and tests required will be given in the
applicable code or standard
Most codes and standards provide a report format to
record the results
Copyright © 2003 TWI Ltd M.S.Rogers
SWI 3.2
Welding Procedures
Examination and testing requirements of a WPT for
procedure approval (BS EN 288)
Welding Procedures
After the testing is completed and all the relevant results
collated, the results need to be assessed in accordance with
the relevant code/standard. The results are then generally
recorded.
Welding Procedures
Once the welding procedure has been approved, If any
essential variable is changed during production the WPS may
require re-approval. Most codes/procedures dealing with
procedure qualifications provide a list of what is an essential
or non-essential variable.
Example:
Welding Procedure
Specification (WPS)
Welding
Procedures
(BS EN 287)
Welder Approval
Numerous codes and standards deal with welder
qualification, e.g. BS EN 287.
Once the content of the procedure is approved the next
stage is to approve the welders to the approved procedure. A
welders test know as a Welders Qualification Test (WQT).
Welder Approval
Information that should be included on a welders test
certificate are:
1. Welders name and identification number
2. Date of test and expiry date of certificate
3. Standard/code e.g. BS EN 287
4. Test piece details
5. Welding process, welding parameters, amps, volts
6. Welding parameters, amps, volts
7. Consumables, flux type and filler classification details
8. Sketch of run sequence, welding positions
9. Joint configuration details
10. Material type qualified, pipe diameter etc
11. Test results, remarks
12. Test location and witnessed by
13. Extent (range) of approval
Copyright © 2003 TWI Ltd M.S.Rogers
SWI 3.2
BS EN 287
Range of approval
according material
groups
Welder Approval
The inspection of a welders qualification test.
It is normal for a qualified inspectors usually from an
independent body to witness the welding.
Under normal circumstances only one test weld per welder
is permitted
If the welder fails the test weld and the failure is not the fault
of the welder e.g. faulty welding equipment then a re-test
would be permitted.
The testing of the test weld is done in accordance with the
applicable code, but it is not normal to carry out test that test
for the mechanical properties of welds e.g. tensile, charpy
and hardness tests.
Welder Approval
Tests methods required for welder qualification
(BS EN 287)
Example:
Welder Approval
Qualification
Certification
ny Questio
Questions
QU 1. State six essential variables in a welding procedure.