AWS AWS Certification & Qualification 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What AWS document governs the qualification of welders and welding procedures for structural steel?
- AWS A5.1
- AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel (Correct answer)
- AWS B2.1
- ASME Section IX
Correct answer: AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel
AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code – Steel) contains requirements for welding procedure specifications (WPS) and welder qualification for structural applications.
Question 2: A Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) documents:
- The welder's personal qualifications and certifications
- The specific variables and parameters to be used when making a production weld (Correct answer)
- The inspection results of a completed weldment
- The material certifications of the base metal
Correct answer: The specific variables and parameters to be used when making a production weld
A WPS is a written document that prescribes the welding variables (process, filler, preheat, position, etc.) required to produce a sound weld.
Question 3: What is a 'Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)'?
- A welder's personal performance history document
- A record of the actual welding variables and test results used to support and qualify a WPS (Correct answer)
- A government-issued welding license
- A purchase order for welding filler metals
Correct answer: A record of the actual welding variables and test results used to support and qualify a WPS
A PQR documents the actual parameters used during a test weld and the mechanical test results that qualify the WPS.
Question 4: Under AWS D1.1, a welder's qualification test is considered to cover which type of position if the test is performed in the 3G position?
- Flat only
- Flat and horizontal
- Flat, horizontal, and vertical (Correct answer)
- All positions including overhead
Correct answer: Flat, horizontal, and vertical
Under AWS D1.1, a 3G (vertical groove) qualification covers welding in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions.
Question 5: The term 'essential variable' in a welding procedure means:
- A variable that may be changed without requiring requalification
- A variable whose change requires re-qualification of the WPS by testing (Correct answer)
- A variable related only to welder skill
- A variable that only applies to SMAW processes
Correct answer: A variable whose change requires re-qualification of the WPS by testing
Essential variables are those welding parameters whose change affects weld mechanical properties and thus requires requalification of the procedure.
Question 6: How long is a welder's AWS D1.1 qualification typically considered to remain in effect?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- Indefinitely, provided the welder uses the process at least once every 6 months (Correct answer)
- 5 years with annual renewal
Correct answer: Indefinitely, provided the welder uses the process at least once every 6 months
AWS D1.1 states that a welder's qualification remains valid indefinitely unless the welder has not used the process for a period exceeding 6 months.
AWS AWS Certification & Qualification 1
What AWS document governs the qualification of welders and welding procedures for structural steel?