I85PREP
⌘ K
CWS study materials
CWS study resources

CWS (ABWM) practice questions

One question at a time. Build your CWS understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Welding Supervision and Management

A welding supervisor finds that a welder is making production welds with no current qualification for the process in use. What is the supervisor's most appropriate first action?

  1. Allow the welding to continue for the rest of the shift and verify the record afterwards
  2. Move the work to the night shift where inspection is less frequent
  3. Ask the welder to sign a statement declaring that they are qualified
  4. Stop the welding operation until the welder's qualification is verified Correct answer.

Explanation

Production welding may only be performed by welders whose performance qualification is current and covers the process, position, and thickness being welded. The supervisor's authority carries the duty to halt nonconforming work immediately. Verification follows, but the work must not continue in the meantime.

Question 2Welding Supervision and Management

A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) primarily serves to:

  1. log the welding parameters actually used by each welder each day
  2. certify that a completed weld meets visual acceptance criteria
  3. authorize individual welders to perform production joints
  4. record the variables and test results behind the procedure Correct answer.

Explanation

The PQR is the record of the test coupon that was welded and mechanically tested, capturing the essential variables and the results obtained. It is the supporting evidence from which a welding procedure specification is written. It does not qualify welders or certify production welds.

Question 3Welding Supervision and Management

Cellulosic electrodes such as E6010 that have picked up moisture from humid air should be:

  1. coated with a waterproof sealer before use
  2. used immediately without any treatment
  3. baked at 700 °F for one hour before use
  4. reconditioned or discarded only as permitted by the manufacturer Correct answer.

Explanation

Cellulosic electrodes are designed to carry a controlled amount of moisture in the coating, so high-temperature baking would destroy the coating and change the arc characteristics. Reconditioning, if any is allowed, must follow the manufacturer's published instructions. Electrodes outside those limits should not be used for code work.

Question 4Welding Supervision and Management

When welding must be performed inside a confined space, the supervisor's most critical control is:

  1. increasing the welding current so the job is completed in less time
  2. requiring the welder to work alone so that movement is minimized
  3. continuous atmospheric testing with a trained attendant on watch Correct answer.
  4. posting a hazard warning sign at the entrance to the vessel

Explanation

Confined-space entry is governed by the need to verify the atmosphere continuously and to keep a trained attendant outside who can summon help and control entry. Signs and shortened exposure are useful but do not substitute for monitoring and rescue readiness. Working alone inside a confined space is prohibited.

Question 5Welding Supervision and Management

Visual examination of a completed production weld should be performed:

  1. only after hydrostatic testing of the completed component
  2. after the weld has cooled and before any covering operation such as painting Correct answer.
  3. only when the engineering drawing specifically calls for it
  4. only after all other nondestructive examinations have been completed and accepted

Explanation

Visual examination is the most basic acceptance gate and must be done on the finished, cleaned weld before coatings, cladding, or other covering operations obscure the surface. It is normally required on all welds regardless of whether other methods are specified. Waiting until after other tests or pressure testing risks concealing surface discontinuities.

Question 6Welding Supervision and Management

Heat input into a weld is determined from which combination of variables?

  1. electrode diameter, joint thickness, and groove angle
  2. arc voltage, welding current, and travel speed Correct answer.
  3. preheat temperature, interpass temperature, and ambient humidity
  4. shielding gas flow rate, nozzle size, and wire feed speed

Explanation

Heat input is calculated as arc voltage multiplied by welding current, multiplied by 60, and divided by travel speed. Only the arc energy parameters and the rate of travel control the energy delivered per unit length of weld. Preheat and interpass temperature affect the thermal history but are not part of the heat input calculation.

Question 7Welding Supervision and Management

The root gap in a single-V butt joint is provided so that:

  1. the root pass can achieve full penetration Correct answer.
  2. the weld can be made with a smaller electrode
  3. distortion after welding is reduced
  4. the base metal does not need preheating

Explanation

The root gap gives the arc access through the full joint thickness so that the root pass fuses both root faces and penetrates completely. The gap is a specified fit-up dimension that the supervisor must control before welding starts. It has no bearing on preheat requirements.

Question 8Welding Supervision and Management

Which document tells the welder the specific current, voltage, and travel speed to use for a production joint?

  1. The welding procedure specification (WPS) Correct answer.
  2. The mill test report for the electrode lot
  3. The purchase order for the base metal
  4. The welder performance qualification record

Explanation

The welding procedure specification lists the qualified ranges of current, voltage, travel speed, and the other variables the welder must follow. It is the working document issued to the shop floor. Qualification records and material certificates support the procedure but do not direct the welder's settings.

Question 9Welding Supervision and Management

A WPS requires a minimum preheat of 200 °F and a maximum interpass temperature of 500 °F. Before the second pass the supervisor measures the joint at 150 °F. What is the correct action?

  1. Continue welding and note the lower temperature on the daily report
  2. Continue welding because the preheat requirement applies only to the root pass
  3. Let the joint cool to room temperature and then restart the procedure
  4. Reheat the joint to at least 200 °F before welding continues Correct answer.

Explanation

Minimum preheat is a variable that must be maintained for the joint throughout welding, not only before the root pass. Once the measured temperature falls below the specified minimum, welding must stop until the minimum is restored. Recording the deviation does not make the weld conforming.

Question 10Welding Supervision and Management

To reduce angular distortion when making a long multi-pass fillet weld on thin plate, the supervisor should specify:

  1. a higher current and a faster travel speed
  2. a larger electrode used in a single pass
  3. a balanced backstep or staggered welding sequence Correct answer.
  4. loose clamping so that the parts can move freely

Explanation

Balanced and backstep sequences distribute shrinkage stresses so that the distortion from one segment offsets that from another. On thin plate this is one of the most effective shop-floor controls. Loose restraint and concentrated single-pass welding both worsen angular movement.

Question 11Welding Supervision and Management

In GMAW, a shielding gas flow rate set far above the recommended value most often results in:

  1. turbulence that aspirates air and causes porosity Correct answer.
  2. an increase in deposition efficiency
  3. deeper penetration and a narrower bead
  4. a more stable arc with better sidewall fusion

Explanation

Excessive flow produces a turbulent jet that breaks the protective envelope and draws surrounding air into the arc. The result is oxidation and porosity rather than improved shielding. Flow rates should be set with a calibrated flowmeter within the procedure range.

Question 12Welding Supervision and Management

Scattered porosity appears at random locations throughout a GMAW fillet weld made on plate that was thought to be clean. Which cause is most probable?

  1. travel speed held too slow for the joint
  2. a welding current set slightly below the WPS range
  3. a root gap wider than the drawing specifies
  4. oil or moisture contamination in the arc zone Correct answer.

Explanation

Randomly distributed porosity is characteristic of gas entrapment from contamination such as oil, grease, paint, or moisture on the faying surfaces or wire. Heat input and fit-up variations tend to produce more localized or geometric discontinuities. The supervisor should check cleaning practice and consumable handling before adjusting parameters.

Question 13Welding Supervision and Management

A welder is qualified for GMAW in the 3G position. Production now requires GMAW in the 4G position. The supervisor must:

  1. assign the work because vertical and overhead positions are equivalent
  2. permit the work provided the first weld is radiographed
  3. qualify the welder by test in the 4G position before production Correct answer.
  4. allow the welder to work if a second qualified welder is nearby

Explanation

Position is an essential variable for welder performance qualification, and overhead (4G) is not covered by a vertical (3G) test. The welder must pass a test in the required position before production welding begins. Radiographing the first weld is not a substitute for qualification.

Question 14Welding Supervision and Management

Which method is best suited to detecting internal volumetric discontinuities in a complete-joint-penetration groove weld?

  1. Magnetic particle testing
  2. Radiographic testing Correct answer.
  3. Liquid penetrant testing
  4. Visual examination

Explanation

Radiography transmits radiation through the joint so that differences in thickness and density reveal internal voids, slag, and lack of penetration. It is the standard volumetric method for full-penetration groove welds. Penetrant and magnetic particle methods respond only to surface and near-surface flaws.

Question 15Welding Supervision and Management

A GTAW root pass on stainless steel must be made outdoors where the wind is gusting. The supervisor's correct action is to:

  1. have the welder tilt the torch into the wind direction
  2. change to a larger gas nozzle and proceed
  3. erect windbreaks to protect the shielding gas envelope Correct answer.
  4. increase the gas flow to the maximum the regulator allows

Explanation

Wind disperses the inert shield and causes oxidation and porosity, particularly on stainless steel. Physical windbreaks preserve the gas envelope at the normal procedure flow rate. Simply opening the regulator wider creates turbulence and does not restore reliable shielding.

Question 16Welding Supervision and Management

When estimating labour hours for a weld, the supervisor converts arc time to total welder hours by applying:

  1. the heat input permitted by the WPS
  2. an operating factor that accounts for non-arc time Correct answer.
  3. the duty cycle of the welding power source
  4. the deposition efficiency of the electrode

Explanation

Arc time covers only the period the arc is struck; the welder also spends time on fit-up, cleaning, repositioning, and changing consumables. The operating factor expresses arc time as a fraction of total paid time and is used to convert one to the other. Deposition efficiency and duty cycle affect other parts of the estimate.

Question 17Welding Supervision and Management

Why does the supervisor record the electrode lot or heat number on the welding report?

  1. To calculate the total weight of deposited weld metal
  2. To verify that the welder's qualification is still current
  3. To permit traceability if a consumable-related defect is later found Correct answer.
  4. To determine the preheat required for the joint

Explanation

Lot or heat identification links a finished weld to the exact consumables used, so that a later defect investigation can trace, isolate, and if necessary recall affected work. It is a basic element of a quality control plan. The other items are derived from separate records and calculations.

Question 18Welding Supervision and Management

Under ASME Section IX, a welder who qualifies on a 1/2 in. thick test coupon with a single process is qualified for production groove welds over which thickness range?

  1. 1/16 in. through 2 in.
  2. 1/16 in. through 1 in. Correct answer.
  3. 1/2 in. only
  4. any thickness, because thickness is not an essential variable for welders

Explanation

For welder performance qualification, a test coupon of thickness t qualifies production thickness from 1/16 in. up to twice the coupon thickness. With a 1/2 in. coupon, the upper limit is therefore 1 in. Thickness is an essential variable and must be checked before assignment.

Question 19Welding Supervision and Management

A weld is rejected by radiographic testing for slag inclusions that exceed the acceptance criteria. The correct sequence is to:

  1. blend the area with a grinder and accept the weld without further testing
  2. scrap the whole assembly without further evaluation
  3. remove the defects, reweld per a qualified repair procedure, and reexamine Correct answer.
  4. reweld over the area at a higher current

Explanation

Repair requires excavation of the defective metal to sound weld, rewelding under a qualified procedure, and reexamination by the same method to confirm the repair. This restores both integrity and documented acceptance. Welding over a defect or removing evidence of it without retesting is prohibited.

Question 20Welding Supervision and Management

A supervisor planning a job that needs 40 qualified welders finds that only 30 hold current qualifications. The most appropriate response is to:

  1. use the 30 and let unqualified fitters make the remaining welds
  2. extend the qualification dates of the 10 welders by one month
  3. schedule requalification of the remaining welders before their work starts Correct answer.
  4. reduce the acceptance criteria so that less welding is required

Explanation

Production planning must respect the qualification status of every welder, so the schedule has to accommodate testing before work begins. Quietly using unqualified personnel or altering records undermines the whole quality system. Acceptance criteria come from the code and cannot be relaxed to suit a schedule.

Question 21Welding Supervision and Management

A weld is made at 250 A and 25 V with a travel speed of 10 in./min. What is the heat input?

  1. 37.5 kJ/in. Correct answer.
  2. 15 kJ/in.
  3. 6.25 kJ/in.
  4. 625 J/in.

Explanation

Heat input equals voltage times current times 60, divided by travel speed in inches per minute. Here 25 × 250 × 60 ÷ 10 gives 37,500 J/in., or 37.5 kJ/in. The value is then compared with the maximum permitted by the procedure.

Question 22Welding Supervision and Management

During a surveillance audit the supervisor discovers that a welder has been welding for three weeks on a qualification that expired two weeks ago. The most defensible corrective action is to:

  1. backdate the qualification record so that it covers the period
  2. identify and evaluate the welds made after expiry, then requalify the welder Correct answer.
  3. retest the welder and accept all welds made in the period without further review
  4. discharge the welder and take no further action on the welds

Explanation

Welds made by a welder whose qualification had lapsed must be treated as suspect and evaluated by the methods specified for the joint before acceptance. The welder is then requalified so future work is compliant. Corrective action must address both the product and the system cause.

Question 23Welding Supervision and Management

A production engineer proposes changing from a 3/32 in. to a 1/8 in. electrode diameter to speed up a covered-electrode weld. What must the supervisor do first?

  1. order the larger electrodes and revise the fabrication drawing
  2. confirm whether the change is permitted by the WPS or requires requalification Correct answer.
  3. make a trial weld and radiograph it, then proceed with production
  4. approve the change because electrode size never affects qualification

Explanation

Electrode size and type are variables controlled by the welding procedure, and a change outside the qualified ranges may require new procedure qualification. The supervisor must check the WPS limits and the applicable code before any change is made. Production trials do not substitute for qualification.

Question 24Welding Supervision and Management

A recurring porosity problem is traced to a leaking gas hose at one station. Which action best represents effective corrective control?

  1. replace the hose and verify gas delivery at the torch before restarting Correct answer.
  2. reclassify the porosity limit in the acceptance criteria
  3. increase inspection frequency on the welds made at that station
  4. assign a second welder to the station so the work finishes faster

Explanation

Corrective action removes the root cause so the nonconformity cannot recur. Replacing the defective hose and confirming flow at the torch eliminates the source of air entrainment. Increasing inspection or adding labour addresses symptoms rather than the cause.

Question 25Welding Supervision and Management

A customer's representative asks the supervisor to accept a weld whose undercut exceeds the code limit, citing schedule pressure. The supervisor should:

  1. refuse acceptance and document the nonconformance for formal disposition Correct answer.
  2. accept the weld and note the deviation verbally to the customer
  3. refer the decision to the welder who made the weld
  4. accept the weld if the customer agrees to pay for extra inspection

Explanation

Acceptance criteria are defined by the governing code or specification, and a supervisor cannot waive them informally. The correct route is to record the nonconformance and submit it for formal disposition, such as repair or an approved concession. This protects both the integrity of the weld and the supervisor's accountability.

Question 26Welding Supervision and Management

Who is responsible for ensuring that the applicable WPS is available at the point of use before welding begins?

  1. The purchasing manager
  2. The welding engineer
  3. The welding supervisor Correct answer.
  4. The welding inspector

Explanation

The supervisor controls the work area and must confirm that the correct approved WPS is on hand before any production arc is struck. The inspector verifies compliance, the engineer develops procedures, and purchasing has no role in shop-floor document control.

Question 27Welding Supervision and Management

Which practice is correct for storing and handling compressed gas cylinders in a welding shop?

  1. Transport cylinders lying flat without valve protection caps
  2. Store cylinders with regulators attached and valves open
  3. Secure cylinders upright and keep them away from heat sources Correct answer.
  4. Store oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders together in a closed cabinet

Explanation

Cylinders should be secured upright and kept away from heat and ignition sources. Valve protection caps should be fitted during transport and storage when regulators are removed.

Question 28Welding Supervision and Management

The primary purpose of preheating a carbon steel joint before welding is to:

  1. Increase the deposition rate of the electrode
  2. Slow the cooling rate and allow hydrogen to escape Correct answer.
  3. Eliminate the need for post-weld heat treatment
  4. Reduce the amount of fume produced

Explanation

Preheat slows cooling so that diffusible hydrogen has time to escape and hard crack-susceptible microstructures are less likely to form. It does not replace post-weld heat treatment or directly control deposition rate.

Question 29Welding Supervision and Management

A hot work permit is used mainly to:

  1. Control ignition hazards before and during hot work Correct answer.
  2. Authorize overtime work in the shop
  3. Record the welder's qualification number
  4. Document consumable lot numbers

Explanation

The permit confirms that fire hazards have been assessed, combustible material removed or protected, and fire watch arrangements made. It is a safety control, not a welding documentation record.

Question 30Welding Supervision and Management

A welding power source is rated at 300 A at 60% duty cycle. This means the machine can:

  1. Weld at 300 A continuously without overheating
  2. Weld at 60 A for 10 minutes out of each hour
  3. Deliver 180 A continuously for 10 minutes
  4. Weld at 300 A for 6 minutes out of each 10-minute period Correct answer.

Explanation

Duty cycle is the percentage of a 10-minute period that the machine can operate at its rated output. At 60%, that is 6 minutes welding and 4 minutes cooling at 300 A.

Question 31Welding Supervision and Management

Which NDT method is most suitable for detecting surface-breaking cracks in an austenitic stainless steel weld?

  1. Magnetic particle testing
  2. Penetrant testing Correct answer.
  3. Ultrasonic testing
  4. Radiographic testing

Explanation

Austenitic stainless steel is essentially non-magnetic, so magnetic particle testing cannot detect defects in it. Penetrant testing is designed to reveal surface-breaking discontinuities in non-porous materials.

Question 32Welding Supervision and Management

The main reason for requiring each welder to stamp an identification symbol beside a completed weld is to:

  1. Indicate the welding process used
  2. Record the date the weld was completed
  3. Provide traceability back to the welder Correct answer.
  4. Show that the welder has passed a written test

Explanation

The stamp links a specific weld to the welder who made it, which supports investigation, repair control, and qualification checks. Process and date are recorded separately in production documents.

Question 33Welding Supervision and Management

A welder reports that the shielding gas flowmeter on a GMAW station is damaged. The supervisor's first action should be to:

  1. Continue welding at a higher gas flow rate
  2. Swap the flowmeter with one from another station
  3. Remove the station from service and tag it as defective Correct answer.
  4. Ask the welder to estimate the flow by sound

Explanation

Damaged gas equipment can cause porosity and is a safety hazard, so the station should be locked or tagged out until repaired. Substituting an uncalibrated part or guessing flow does not restore controlled conditions.

Question 34Welding Supervision and Management

A welder performance qualification differs from a procedure qualification because it demonstrates:

  1. The welder's ability to produce a sound weld using a qualified WPS Correct answer.
  2. The corrosion resistance of the completed joint
  3. The suitability of a consumable for a base metal
  4. The mechanical properties that can be achieved by a process

Explanation

Performance qualification tests the individual welder's skill in making a weld to a qualified procedure. Procedure qualification establishes that the welding procedure itself can produce a joint with the required properties.

Question 35Welding Supervision and Management

Post-weld heat treatment is specified mainly to:

  1. Speed up the cooling of the joint
  2. Increase the yield strength of the weld metal
  3. Remove slag from the weld surface
  4. Relieve residual stresses and reduce hardness Correct answer.

Explanation

Post-weld heat treatment raises the weldment to a controlled temperature to relax residual stresses and temper hard microstructures. It is not a cleaning operation and generally does not increase yield strength.

Question 36Welding Supervision and Management

A welder qualified in the 6G position on pipe is normally qualified to weld:

  1. In all positions Correct answer.
  2. Only in the vertical-up position
  3. Only in the horizontal fixed position
  4. Only in the flat position

Explanation

The 6G test position is the most restrictive pipe position because the pipe is fixed at 45 degrees and the weld progresses around it. Qualification in 6G therefore covers all lower pipe positions.

Question 37Welding Supervision and Management

When welding austenitic stainless steel, interpass temperature is controlled mainly to:

  1. Improve the appearance of the cap
  2. Increase the travel speed
  3. Prevent arc blow
  4. Avoid sensitization and preserve corrosion resistance Correct answer.

Explanation

Excessive interpass temperature increases the time spent in the sensitizing range, which can reduce corrosion resistance. Control also limits distortion and helps maintain mechanical properties.

Question 38Welding Supervision and Management

A supervisor observes a welder increasing current above the WPS range to increase travel speed. The correct action is to:

  1. Record the higher current as a procedure change
  2. Stop the work and require welding within the qualified parameters Correct answer.
  3. Reduce the current only on the final pass
  4. Allow it if the weld looks acceptable

Explanation

Current is an essential variable in most WPSs, and welding outside the qualified range invalidates the procedure for that joint. The supervisor must enforce the WPS and correct the practice before work continues.

Question 39Welding Supervision and Management

Which of the following is a leading indicator of welding quality performance?

  1. Percentage of welders with current qualifications Correct answer.
  2. Cost of weld repairs last quarter
  3. Number of welds rejected last month
  4. Number of customer complaints received

Explanation

Leading indicators measure preventive conditions that predict future quality, such as qualification status and training. Rejections, repair costs, and complaints are lagging indicators because they record results after the event.

Question 40Welding Supervision and Management

Deposition efficiency in arc welding is calculated as:

  1. Weight of electrode consumed divided by weld length
  2. Arc time divided by total time
  3. Weight of deposited metal divided by weight of electrode consumed Correct answer.
  4. Weight of deposited metal divided by arc time

Explanation

Deposition efficiency compares the useful weld metal deposited with the electrode or wire consumed, expressed as a percentage. It accounts for losses such as spatter, slag, and fume.

Question 41Welding Supervision and Management

Which document records the actual welding parameters used on a specific production joint?

  1. The production welding report or log Correct answer.
  2. The procedure qualification record
  3. The purchase specification
  4. The welder qualification certificate

Explanation

The production report records what actually happened on the job, including current, voltage, travel speed, and welder identification. The PQR and welder certificate are qualification documents, not production records.

Question 42Welding Supervision and Management

Before using a new consumable on a production job, the supervisor should first:

  1. Verify that a qualified WPS covering the consumable exists Correct answer.
  2. Ask the welder to run a test bead and proceed
  3. Update the welder's identification stamp
  4. Order the consumable in bulk to reduce cost

Explanation

A consumable change can be an essential variable, so the supervisor must confirm that a qualified WPS covers its classification and intended use. A trial bead is not a substitute for procedure qualification.

Question 43Welding Supervision and Management

During a routine audit of welding equipment, the supervisor should verify that:

  1. The machine is the newest model available
  2. Calibration of meters and gauges is current Correct answer.
  3. The welder has cleaned the machine
  4. The machine paint is in good condition

Explanation

Current, voltage, and gas flow instruments must be calibrated so that the parameters set match the WPS. Inaccurate meters can cause welding outside qualified ranges even when the dial appears correct.

Question 44Welding Supervision and Management

When a weld is repaired, the supervisor must ensure that:

  1. The repair is completed by the original welder only
  2. A qualified procedure and welder are used and the repair is recorded Correct answer.
  3. The repair cost is charged to the customer
  4. The repair is made without any inspection

Explanation

Repairs are production welds and must be made under an approved WPS by a qualified welder, then documented and inspected as required. The original welder is not necessarily the only person permitted to repair.

Question 45Welding Supervision and Management

Backstep welding is used primarily to:

  1. Reduce the welding current required
  2. Increase penetration on thick plate
  3. Reduce distortion and heat concentration Correct answer.
  4. Eliminate the need for preheat

Explanation

Backstep sequence directs each weld segment opposite to the general progression so heat is distributed more evenly. This lowers peak temperature and helps control distortion and residual stress.

Question 46Welding Supervision and Management

In a procedure qualification tensile test under ASME Section IX, a specimen breaks in the base metal away from the weld and the strength exceeds the minimum specified for the base metal. The result is:

  1. Acceptable only if the break is in the heat-affected zone
  2. Unacceptable, because the break was not in the weld
  3. Acceptable, because the joint achieved the required strength Correct answer.
  4. Unacceptable, because the test must be repeated

Explanation

ASME IX accepts a base-metal break when the measured tensile strength is not less than the minimum specified for that base metal. The test is evaluating whether the joint is at least as strong as the base metal.

Question 47Welding Supervision and Management

A WPS is qualified using E7018 (F-4) electrodes. Production proposes to use E6013 (F-2) with the same process and position. Under ASME Section IX, the supervisor should:

  1. Allow the substitution because both are covered electrodes
  2. Require a new or revised procedure qualification because the F-number changes Correct answer.
  3. Allow the substitution only for tack welds
  4. Allow the substitution if the welder is qualified for F-2

Explanation

F-number is an essential variable for SMAW procedure qualification under ASME IX. Changing from F-4 to F-2 requires the procedure to be requalified or amended through a new PQR.

Question 48Welding Supervision and Management

A nonconformance report identifies weld undercut beyond code limits. A customer representative proposes a 'use-as-is' disposition. The supervisor should:

  1. Accept it if the welder agrees
  2. Reject it and order a repair without documentation
  3. Accept it because the customer asked
  4. Refer the disposition to the responsible engineering authority for approval Correct answer.

Explanation

A use-as-is disposition is a concession that requires evaluation and approval by the engineering authority responsible for the design, not by the supervisor or welder. The decision must be documented in the quality system.

Question 49Welding Supervision and Management

Under ASME Section IX, a welder last performed GTAW welding 5 months ago. The welder's qualification:

  1. Is automatically extended by the supervisor
  2. Remains valid because the interruption is less than 6 months Correct answer.
  3. Remains valid only for one more month
  4. Has expired because any gap requires requalification

Explanation

ASME IX provides that a welder's qualification expires when the welder has not used the process for 6 months or more. An interruption of 5 months is therefore still within the valid period.

Question 50Welding Supervision and Management

An ASME Section IX procedure qualification was made on a 3/8 in. thick SMAW test coupon. Production now requires a 3/4 in. thick joint. The supervisor should conclude that:

  1. The production thickness is outside any qualified range
  2. The existing PQR qualifies the 3/4 in. thickness Correct answer.
  3. The welder must requalify but the procedure is acceptable
  4. A new PQR is required because thickness exceeds 1/2 in.

Explanation

For procedure qualification, the qualified base-metal thickness range extends to 2T for the test coupon thickness, so a 3/8 in. coupon qualifies up to 3/4 in. The welder's qualification is a separate matter.