Summary:

1. Both Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Product

Qualification Records (PQR) are important documents in welding.
Both documents are not the same but are closely related to one
another. You might say they even complement each other.
2. Each document, while closely related, comes with a different
purpose. WPS serves as a blueprint for a written instruction or
guide on how to create a welded product based on a certain
standard and quality. Meanwhile, PQR is a document that checks
whether the standard is being followed by inspecting and answering
the document regarding specific areas and tests.
3. The Welding Procedure Specification and Product Qualification
Record documents have similar items in their body, specifically the
welding parameters. In a WPS, the welding parameters are
explained in the context of instructions. The purpose is to make the
welder reproduce the product with a particular quality and
standard. On the other hand, PQR uses these welding parameters as
a checklist to see if the standard is met or not.
4. The PQR is a standard document, but the people who use it may not
necessarily come from the same background. Welders and
engineers who create the welded product often peruse a WPS to
make the product comply with the standard quality. In contrast, the
PQR is often associated with inspectors, manufacturers, or
contractors who use the document for testing and verification
purposes.
5. Another difference is the orientation of the document’s contents. A
WPS is usually filled with numerous texts, images, and sentences in
accordance to its being an instructional guide. On the other hand, a
PQR is like a checklist with blank lines and spaces for written notes
that will be filled out by the inspector during the inspection.
6. Before the inspection, the WPS document is the object of attention
of the welders. Meanwhile, during and after the inspection, the PQR
is the document of concern for inspectors,
contractors/manufacturers, and welders.
 Welding procedure and welder approval 183

TWI ALWELD SERVICES LTD

Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB1 6AL
EN288 – Manufacturer’s Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
Weldspec for Windows

Manufacturer’s WPS number 036/AL /82/PL Rev. 02 Examiner or examining body TWI
WPAR number 005/AL /82/PL Rev. 0 Method of preparation and IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLEANING
Location WORKS cleaning PROCEDURE CP015/AL
Manufacturer ALWELD SERVICES LTD
Main welding process 131-MIG Parent metal AIMg4, 5mNo.7
Root welding process 131-MIG Specification BS EN 573 PI2 AW5083
Joint type Butt-plate ss mb Composition
Welding position FLAT (PA) Material thickness (mm) From 12 To 25
Outside diameter (mm) From >500 To
Welding preparation details (sketch)*
Joint design Welding sequence

70–75
degs
7
6
pass sequence
3 to 6 mm
5 indicative only
12 mm 12 mm
4
to to
2 3
25 mm 25 mm
1.5 mm max 1

backing strip 35 mm ¥ 10 mm thick

Welding details
Size of filler Type of current/ Wire feed Run-out length or
Run Process metal Current Voltage polarity speed travel speed* Heat input*
(mm) (Amps) (volts) (m/min) (mm) or (mm/min) (KJ/mm)
1 to FILL 131 MIG 1.6 325 TO 375 26 TO 31 DC + ve 400 TO 450

Welding details
Filler metal trade name METRODE ER5556
Filler metal classification BS 2901 Pt 4 5556A
Baking or drying instructions NA
Gas or flux type: Shielding: 99.995% PURE ARGON (DEW POINT < – 40C)
Backing: NA
Gas flow rate: (l/min) Shielding: 26
(l/min) Backing: NA
Tungsten electrode type/size (mm) NA
Details of back gouging/backing A5083 BACKING STRIP 35 MM ¥ 10 MM THICK
Preheat temperature (°C) 10 MIN
Interpass temperature (°C) 200 MAX
Post weld heat treatment and/or ageing NA
Time, temperature, method (mins, °C) NA
Heating and cooling rates* (°C/min) NA
Other information*
Weaving (maximum width of run) (mm) 15
Oscillation: amplitude, frequency, dwell time NA
Pulse welding details NA
Distance contact tube/work piece (mm) NA
Plasma welding details NA
Torch angle (deg.) NA
Notes

*If required

Manufacturer Examiner or examining body

Name Signature Name Signature
ALWELD SERVICES LTD TWI
Date Date
03/Jan/2002 08/Jan/2002

Weldspec 4.01.161 (c) Copyright 2002 C-spec/TWI Software. All rights reserved worldwide.
Catalog n° WPS00019 Page 1 of 1

10.1 Example of welding procedure specification (WPS) prepared in

accordance with BS-EN 288 Part 4.