This specification provides requirements for welding procedure and welding performance qualification. It is the intent that this specification be referenced by other documents, such as codes, specifications, contracts, and quality control or quality assurance manuals. Such documents are recognized in this specification as Referencing Documents. Requirements imposed by the Referencing Document supersede the requirements of this specification.

The requirements for the qualification of welding procedures are provided in Clause 4, Procedure Qualification. The requirements for the performance qualification of welders and welding operators are provided in Clause 5, Performance Qualification.

This specification also defines and establishes qualification variables. Qualification requirements are based on the premise that the Referencing Document will specify fabrication, design, base metal, filler metal, preheat, interpass temperature, postweld heat treatment (PWHT), nondestructive examination, and test requirements applicable to the product. Welding procedure and performance qualifications which meet the requirements of other codes and specifications are acceptable, provided they also meet the requirements of this specification.

Base metals and filler metals have been grouped into categories that will minimize the number of qualification tests required. Substitution of one base metal or filler metal for another, even when within the allowable rules, should only be made after an evaluation of the material’s suitability for its intended use. For some materials, additional tests may be appropriate to verify the material’s suitability. Materials not listed require separate qualification.

This specification is intended for use with the following welding processes:

EBW = Electron Beam Welding

EGW = Electrogas Welding

ESW = Electroslag Welding

FCAW = Flux Cored Arc Welding

GMAW = Gas Metal Arc Welding

GTAW = Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

LBW = Laser Beam Welding

OFW = Oxyfuel Gas Welding

PAW = Plasma Arc Welding

SAW = Submerged Arc Welding

SMAW = Shielded Metal Arc Welding

SW = Arc Stud Welding

Employers shall be responsible for the welding performed by their organization, including the use of qualified welding procedures, qualified welders, and qualified welding operators. The welding procedure may be an AWS Standard Welding Procedure Specification (SWPS) published by the American Welding Society, or it shall be qualified by the Employer as required under the rules of Clause 4, Procedure Qualification. It is the Employer’s responsibility to assure that welding procedure specifications (WPSs) meet all requirements of the Referencing Document.

When not otherwise specified by the Referencing Document, the edition of this specification to be used should be established in accordance with the following:

(1) Editions may be used at any time after the effective date of issue.

(2) Latest edition of this document should be used for new contracts.

(3) Editions established by contract date may be used during the entire term of the contract, or the provisions of later editions may be used when agreed upon by the contracting parties.