AWS ASME IX Endorsement cheat sheet

Section IX is a reference standard: it establishes requirements for qualifying welding, brazing, and fusing procedures and personnel, but sets no design, service, or fitness-for-service rules - those come from the referencing Code.

Part QG holds general requirements; Part QW covers welding qualification; Part QB covers brazing qualification; Part QF covers plastic fusing and is outside the QW/QB scope.

Essential variable: any change beyond the qualified range requires a new PQR (procedure requalification).

Nonessential variable: change is handled by amending the WPS only. Supplementary essential variable: becomes essential only when notch toughness testing is specified.

A WPS must be supported by one or more PQRs; the PQR records the actual values used and the test results, while the WPS states the qualified ranges.

Responsibility for qualification, certification of records, and adherence to the WPS rests with the Manufacturer/Contractor; the Authorized Inspector may review WPS, PQR, and performance qualification records.

Section IX revisions are not retroactive: a qualification valid under an earlier edition remains valid unless the referencing Code requires requalification.

Dual units: US Customary and SI values are listed; use one system independently, since the listed values are not exact conversions.

Welder vs welding operator: manual manipulation of electrode/torch vs control of machine, automatic, or semiautomatic equipment; each needs its own performance qualification.

Procedure qualification test coupon thickness sets the qualified base metal and deposited weld metal ranges (QW-451 tables); performance qualification thickness ranges are governed by separate rules.

A groove weld qualification covers both groove and fillet welds; a fillet weld qualification covers fillet welds only and never groove welds.

Base metals are grouped by P-Number and Group Number (QW-420); filler metals by F-Number and, for ferrous metals, A-Number; a change of grouping is an essential variable.

Test positions: plate 1G/2G/3G/4G, pipe 1G/2G/5G/6G per QW-461; qualification covers only the positions the test represents.

A groove test coupon at least 1/2 in. (13 mm) thick qualifies the welder for unlimited thickness; thinner coupons restrict the range (roughly 2t for coupons under 3/8 in. / 10 mm).

A welder qualified on pipe is also qualified for plate; a plate-only qualification does not extend to pipe.

Performance qualification lapses after six months without welding with that process (QW-322); continuity records must be maintained.

When notch toughness is required by the referencing Code, supplementary essential variables become active and the procedure qualification coupon must be impact tested.

On a multi-process test coupon, each process is qualified only for the thickness it deposited; production welding must remain within the qualified WPS ranges.

Part QB parallels Part QW: QB-200 covers brazing procedure qualification (a BPS supported by a PQR); QB-300 covers performance qualification of brazers and brazing operators.

Brazing variables are classified as essential or nonessential, plus supplementary essential when toughness testing is required; an essential change requires a new PQR.

Typical essential brazing variables: brazing process, base metal group, filler metal group, flux or atmosphere, joint clearance, brazing temperature, time at temperature, heating method, post-braze heat treatment.

Base metals and brazing filler metals are grouped in Part QB; changing to a different filler metal group or base metal group is an essential variable.

Brazer qualification coupons are visually examined and then sectioned to verify filler metal distribution, penetration, and freedom from voids.

Brazing performance qualification is employer-specific and expires after six months without use of the process.

A brazing PQR records the actual variables used and the test results; the BPS then states the qualified ranges the brazer must follow.

Brazing and welding qualifications are separate systems: a welding WPS, PQR, or welder qualification cannot justify any brazing operation, and vice versa.