Welding Standard Asme Info

The primary standard for welding under the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is Section IX of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC). It serves as a global benchmark for qualifying the procedures used in welding and the personnel performing them. Core Documentation Framework

ASME Section VIII: Rules for the construction of Pressure Vessels.

The WPS/PQR/WPQ Triad

The practical application of Section IX revolves around the creation of three documents: the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), the Procedure Qualification Record (PQR), and the Welder/Welding Operator Performance Qualification (WPQ).

• Process and filler metal
• Type of joint (groove vs. fillet)
• Position (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead)
• Thickness and diameter limits

These are factors (like a change in process or base metal) that, if altered, require a complete re-qualification of the procedure. Flexibility:

• Welding process (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW)
• Base metal specifications and thickness ranges
• Filler metal classification
• Preheat and interpass temperatures
• Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT)
• Electrical characteristics (amperage, voltage, travel speed)

The document is divided into four critical articles:

Procedure Qualification Record (PQR): A record of a test weld performed to prove that a specific WPS will produce a sound joint. It documents actual variables used and the results of mechanical tests (like bend or tensile tests).

The 2023 Edition Update (Key Changes)

Recent editions of Section IX have introduced: