CWI WPS and PQR Qualification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many guided bend specimens are required for procedure qualification of a groove weld under ASME Section IX when the test plate is less than 3/8 inch thick?
- 2 side bends
- 2 face bends and 2 root bends
- 1 face bend and 1 root bend (Correct answer)
- 4 side bends
Correct answer: 1 face bend and 1 root bend
For base metal less than 3/8 inch thick, ASME Section IX requires one face bend and one root bend test specimen.
Question 2: During a guided bend test for procedure qualification, a specimen fails if it shows a crack or open defect exceeding:
- 1/16 inch in any direction
- 1/8 inch in any direction (Correct answer)
- 3/16 inch in any direction
- 1/4 inch in any direction
Correct answer: 1/8 inch in any direction
Per ASME Section IX QW-163, a guided bend specimen fails if any crack or open defect exceeds 1/8 inch measured in any direction after bending.
Question 3: A reduced-section tension test specimen taken from a procedure qualification test coupon must fracture:
- Within the weld metal only
- In the base metal only, never in the weld
- At or above the minimum specified UTS of the base metal (Correct answer)
- At no less than 90% of the base metal UTS
Correct answer: At or above the minimum specified UTS of the base metal
The reduced-section tension test must demonstrate tensile strength equal to or greater than the minimum specified UTS of the base metal, regardless of fracture location.
Question 4: Which test is NOT routinely required for standard groove weld procedure qualification under ASME Section IX?
- Guided bend test
- Reduced-section tensile test
- Hardness test (Correct answer)
- Visual examination of test coupon
Correct answer: Hardness test
Hardness testing is only required for certain P-Numbers and when specifically required by the referencing code; it is not a standard routine test for all groove weld PQRs.
Question 5: Under AWS D1.1, a groove weld procedure qualification test plate must be subjected to what type of nondestructive examination before mechanical testing?
- Magnetic particle testing
- Radiographic or ultrasonic testing (Correct answer)
- Liquid penetrant testing
- Visual testing only is required
Correct answer: Radiographic or ultrasonic testing
AWS D1.1 requires radiographic or ultrasonic testing of the procedure qualification test plate prior to cutting mechanical test specimens.
Question 6: Impact testing (Charpy V-notch) is added as a supplementary essential variable under ASME Section IX when:
- The weld is performed in the overhead position
- The base metal thickness exceeds 1 inch
- Impact testing is required by the referencing code or construction standard (Correct answer)
- The filler metal diameter exceeds 3/16 inch
Correct answer: Impact testing is required by the referencing code or construction standard
Supplementary essential variables for impact testing become applicable only when the referencing code (e.g., B31.3, BPVC Section VIII) requires notch-toughness testing.
Question 7: When multiple PQRs are combined to support a single WPS under ASME Section IX, which requirement must be satisfied?
- All PQRs must have been performed by the same welder
- All PQRs must share at least one common essential variable range that covers the WPS (Correct answer)
- Each PQR must be no more than five years old
- At least one PQR must include impact test results
Correct answer: All PQRs must share at least one common essential variable range that covers the WPS
When combining PQRs, the essential variable ranges from each PQR must collectively cover all the variables stated in the WPS.
CWI WPS and PQR Qualification 3
How many guided bend specimens are required for procedure qualification of a groove weld under ASME Section IX when the test plate is less than 3/8 inch thick?