SECTION IX

Subject Interpretation File No.

QW-184 and QW-322.1, Production Welds, Revoking Welder Qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-21 BC05-528

QW-200.4(b), Combining Procedure Qualification Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-18 BC05-025

QW-403.5, Qualification of Dissimilar Group Number Base Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-16 BC04-1418

QW-404.36, Filler Metals, Testing of Recrushed Slag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-19 BC05-026

QW-407.1, Welding Procedure Specification, Postweld Heat Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-20 BC05-293

QW-407.4, Qualified Thickness Range When Exceeding the PWHT Upper TransformationTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-22 BC04-1301

QW-409.1, Electrical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-92-69 BC05-635

QW-409.8, QW-256, SFA Specifications, GTAW Electrode Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-04-17 BC05-024

Interpretation: IX-92-69

Subject: QW-409.1, Electrical Characteristics

Date Issued: May 19, 2005

File: BC05-635

Note: Interpretation IX-92-69 has been withdrawn.

Interpretation: IX-04-16

Subject: QW-403.5, Qualification of Dissimilar Group Number Base Metals

Date Issued: March 8, 2005

File: BC04-1418

Question (1): A PQR is qualified with impact testing using API 5L X56, which is an S-No. 1, Group 2material. Does that PQR support a WPS for impact-tested welding API 5L X52 and X46 which are S-No. 1,Group 1 materials?

Reply (1): No.

Question (2): Does a PQR qualified with impact testing conducted using an unassigned material weldedto an S-No. 1, Group 2 material support a WPS for welding the same unassigned material to S-No. 1,Group 1 material?

Reply (2): No.

Interpretation: IX-04-17

Subject: QW-409.8, QW-256, SFA Specifications, GTAW Electrode Characteristics

Date Issued: March 8, 2005

File: BC05-024

Question: May current levels outside the range of SFA 5.12 Table A1 for specific tungsten electrodediameters be specified in a WPS in accordance with Section IX?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: IX-04-18

Subject: QW-200.4(b), Combining Procedure Qualification Records

Date Issued: March 8, 2005

File: BC05-025

Background: A combination GTAW and SMAW WPS is supported by two PQRs. PQR A is weldedwith SMAW to join 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) thick plates with 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) of SMAW deposit. PQR B is weldedwith GTAW and SMAW to join 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) thick plates, with 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) of GTAW deposit, and3⁄8 in. (10 mm) of SMAW deposit.

Question (1): Do PQRs A and B qualify the combination WPS for a base metal thickness range of 3⁄16 in.(5 mm) to 8 in. (200 mm) when impact testing is not required?

Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): Do PQRs A and B qualify the combination WPS for a maximum deposited weld metalthickness of 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) for the GTAW process and 8 in. (200 mm) for the SMAW process?

Reply (2): Yes.

Question (3): When impact tests are performed for both PQRs with acceptable results, do PQRs A andB qualify the combination WPS for a base metal thickness range of 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) to 8 in. (200 mm) whenimpact testing is required?

Reply (3): Yes.

Interpretation: IX-04-19

Subject: QW-404.36, Filler Metals, Testing of Recrushed Slag

Date Issued: March 8, 2005

File: BC05-026

Question: Does QW-404.36 require that each batch or blend of recrushed slag, as defined in SFA-5.17,be tested in accordance with Section II, Part C regardless of the source of slag?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: IX-04-20

Subject: QW-407.1, Welding Procedure Specification, Postweld Heat Treatment

Date Issued: March 8, 2005

File: BC05-293

Question: A WPS for joining P-No. 4 to P-No. 4 specifies that the PWHT be performed at 1,125°F± 25°F, which is below the lower transformation temperature for the material. May this WPS be revisedto specify a PWHT performed at 1,225°F ± 25°F, which is also below the transformation temperature,without requalification of the procedure?

Reply: Yes.

Interpretation: IX-04-21

Subject: QW-184 and QW-322.1, Production Welds, Revoking Welder Qualifications

Date Issued: May 19, 2005

File: BC05-528

Question (1): A welder, qualified for fillet welds by a qualification test on a plate groove weld, is requiredto weld a fillet weld of 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) leg on a nozzle-to-shell weld. Is the welder required to producefillet welds with legs having a maximum difference in length of 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) as per QW-184?

Reply (1): No, QW-184 does not apply to production welds.

Question (2): The same welder, qualified as per previous question, produces fillet welds with one legsize twice the size of the other (3⁄8 in. versus 3⁄4 in.). Is this cause for questioning his/her ability to weldwithin the qualification parameters and revoke his/her qualification for fillet welds, in terms of QW-322.1(b)?

Reply (2): Section IX does not establish criteria for revoking welder qualifications.

Interpretation: IX-04-22

Subject: QW-407.4, Qualified Thickness Range When Exceeding the PWHT Upper Transformation Temper-ature

Date Issued: May 27, 2005

File: BC04-1301

Question: When variable QW-407.4 applies per QW-250 for test coupons with postweld heat treatmentexceeding the upper transformation temperature, is the maximum thickness qualified 1.1 times the thicknessof the test coupon for ferrous P-Number materials, P-Nos. 1 through 7 and P-Nos. 9A through 11B?

Reply: Yes.