Interpretation Detail

Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Edition/Addenda: 2013

Para./Fig./Table No: QW-405

Subject Description: SC IX; QW-405 - string/weave technique

Date Issued: 12/05/2013

Record Number: 13-1559

Interpretation Number: IX-13-23

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Background: A procedure qualification test coupon is performed in the 6G position,
using a manual or semi-automatic welding process, with weld progression being vertical
uphill.

Question (1): When notch toughness qualification is not applicable, does a change from
stringer bead to weave technique require requalification?

Reply (1): No.

Question (2): When notch toughness qualification is applicable, does a change from
stringer bead to weave technique require requalification?

Reply (2): Yes

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 Interpretation Detail

Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Edition/Addenda:

Para./Fig./Table No:

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-409.1 and QW-410.7

Date Issued: 03/27/1981

Record Number: BC-80-299

Interpretation Number: IX-81-19

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question (1): For manual GTAW when notch toughness is a consideration, QW-409.1
requires requalification of a WPS if there is an increase in the heat input
during production. Does this mean that WPS must be qualified using constant
monitoring devices to establish the voltage, amperage, and travel speed at any
point in time?

Reply (1): No. Constant monitoring devices to establish the voltage, amperage,
and travel speed at any point in time are not required in order to meet the
requirements of QW-409.1 for manual GTAW.

Question (2): For manual GTAW when notch toughness is a consideration, QW-409.1
requires requalification of a WPS if there is an increase in the heat input
during production. For a multipass weld, must the maximum heat input be
established for each pass by constant monitoring during WPS qualification?

Reply (2): No. Constant monitoring to establish maximum heat input for each
pass on multiple pass welds is not required during WPS qualification in order
to meet the requirements of QW-409.1 for manual GTAW.

Question (3): For manual GTAW when notch toughness is a consideration,

QW-409.1 requires requalification of a WPS if there is an increase in heat
input during production. Is it required that an average heat input be obtained
for the full thickness of the test coupon to establish a maximum? If it is not
required, is it permissible?

Reply (3): No. Average heat input is not required to be established for the
full thickness of the test coupon to establish a maximum in order to meet the
requirements of QW-409.1 for manual GTAW. It is permissible to establish
average heat input during procedure qualification as it is permissible to take
any additional data desired by those performing the procedure qualification.

Question (4): If QW-409.1 does not require that average heat input be
determined, how is the heat input established for multiple pass procedure
qualification? Must it be established for each pass?

Reply (4): QW-409.1 requires requalification when an increase in heat input

occurs over that qualified. Maximum heat input is established during procedure
qualification by determination of the maximum amperage and voltage in
combination with the least travel speed, or, alternatively, the maximum volume
of weld metal deposited per unit length of weld. Heat input is not required to
be determined for each pass.

Question (5): QW-410.7 requires requalification of a WPS when there is a change

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 Interpretation Detail

in the width, frequency, or dwell time of oscillation. Does Section IX prohibit

the use of manual GTAW when notch toughness is a requirements since QW-410.7
cannot be complied with?

Reply (5): No. Section IX does not prohibit the use of manual GTAW when notch
toughness is a requirement. The Summer 1980 Addenda to Section IX is clear that
the supplementary essential variable QW-410.7 applies only to machine or
automatic welding.

Question (6): Does QW-410.7 apply to the stringer bead technique or just to the
weave bead technique?

Reply (6): QW-410.7 applies only to machine or automatic welding where there is
a change in width, frequency, or dwell time of oscillation. The stringer bead
technique in machine or automatic welding can be viewed as a special case of
the weave bead technique where frequency and dwell time of oscillation are at
or near zero.

Question (7): The stringer bead technique is defined in Section IX as a "type

of weld bead made without appreciable weaving motion." Industry practice seems
to consider "appreciable" to be no more than two and one-half times the
diameter of the filler wire. Does Section IX agree with this definition of
"appreciable" and, if not, what does Section IX consider as "appreciable"?

Reply (7): It is not appropriate to redefine or further define stringer

bead technique in the context of manual GTAW and the supplementary essential
variable QW-410.7. The supplementary essential variable QW-410.7 applies only
to a change in width frequency or dwell time of oscillation for machine or
automatic welding. Section IX does not establish or endorse what may or may not
be industry practice.

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 Interpretation Detail

Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Edition/Addenda:

Para./Fig./Table No:

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-422

Date Issued: 10/03/1984

Record Number: BC84-365

Interpretation Number: IX-83-131

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question (1): May dual stamped A53/A120 CW pipe be used for weld test coupons?

Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): May dual stamped A53/A120 CW pipe be treated as a P-No. 1

material, A53 Type F?

Reply (2): Yes, provided that the requirements of the ASTM specification are
identical (excluding editorial differences) or more stringent than the ASME
specification for the grade, class, or type produced, and provided that the
material is confirmed as complying with the ASTM specification.

Question (3): May a welder of dual stamped A53/A120 CW pipe be qualified in

accordance with Section IX?

Reply (3): Yes. See QW-403.18.

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