GENERAL WELDING SPECIFICATION

FOR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT

ACCORDING TO ASME CODE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1.0 SCOPE 2
2.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS 4
3.0 WELDING PROCESSES 5
4.0 WELDERS AND WELDING OPERATORS 7
5.0 PREHEATING 8
6.0 WELDING 12
7.0 FILLER MATERIALS FOR WELDING 24
8.0 POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT 27
9.0 WELDING QUALITY 30
10.0 TITANIUM 38

00 ISSUED FOR APPLICATION 12/06/2012

REV DESCRIPTION DATE

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1.0 SCOPE

1.1. The aim of the present Welding Specification is to provide the general requirements
for the execution of welded joints on pressure equipment (vessels, heat exchangers,
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boilers, piping systems, etc.).

This Specification shall not be applied to the welding in 9Cr1MoNbVN (Grade 91)
material.
The requirements for welding the 9Cr1MoNbVN (Grade 91) material are indicated
on the TEC/WEL-02 specification.
When recalled, the present Specification shall be applied also:
- for welds of longitudinal joints of pipes and elbows fabricated from plate;
- for connections to instrument lines;
- for welding of piping supports.

1.2. Welding of pressure equipment shall be designed and fabricated according to the
requirements of the following Codes :
- ASME Section I;
- ASME Section VIII Division 1;
- ASME Section VIII Division 2;
- ASME B31.1;
- ASME B31.3 (shall be also considered the requirements of Spec. TEC/WEL-10);
and other Codes and contractual specifications, if any.

1.3. In case of conflicts between this specification, regulations, drawings and standards,
the Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall ask to TECHINT for clarifications before
proceeding.
Generally speaking, the most restrictive requirements shall be applied.
Any exceptions or modifications required by the Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall
obtain a written approval by TECHINT.

1.4. The references to norms, regulations, standards, codes, both national and
international, are always referred to their last edition (including upgraded,
supplements, revisions, addenda, etc.), in force at the issue date of the Purchase
Order.

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1.5. Access right

The representatives of TECHINT, of final Client and of Authorized Inspection
Agencies, shall have free access to the Manufacturer / Subcontractor workshop
and/or to the construction site during all the phases concerning fabrication,
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assembly and erection.

The Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall authorize and facilitate inspections aimed to
guarantee the product conformity to applicable standards and contractual
documents.
All inspections shall be carried out so as not to disturb the progress of the works,
unless this is absolutely necessary.

1.6. Subcontracting

1.6.1. The Manufacturer / Subcontractor is not authorized to subcontract any

operation requested by the job without the prior written authorization of
TECHINT.

1.6.2. All requirements of this specification, including regulations, standards and

all mentioned documents, shall be applied by the Manufacturer /
Subcontractor and shall be included in the Purchase Order issued by the
Manufacturer / Subcontractor to his Subcontractor.

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2.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

2.1. Codes and Standards

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- ASME Section I - Rules for construction of Power Boilers;

- ASME Section II Part C - Specifications for welding rods, electrodes, and
filler metals;
- ASME Section V - Nondestructive examination;
- ASME Section VIII Division 1 - Rules for construction of Pressure Vessels;
- ASME Section VIII Division 2 - Rules for construction of Pressure Vessels
- Alternative rules;
- ASME Section IX - Qualification Standard for welding and brazing
procedures, welders, brazers, and welding and brazing operators;
- ASME B31.1 - Power Piping;
- ASME B31.3 - Process Piping;
- NACE Standard MR0103 - Materials resistant to sulfide stress cracking in
corrosive petroleum refining environments;
- EEMUA Publication N. 143 - Recommendations for tube end welding:
tubular heat transfer equipment.

2.2. Specifications

- TEC/WEL-02 “General specification for similar and dissimilar welding of

9Cr1MoNbVN components”.

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3.0 WELDING PROCESSES

3.1. General
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3.1.1. The Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall prepare and qualify the welding
procedure so as to cover all the welding situations including any
heterogeneous weld deposit.

3.1.2. The Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall qualify all the welders and the
welder operators.

3.1.3. All Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) shall be supervised / witness

and certified by an Internationally Recognized Third Party.

3.1.4. All Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) shall not be older than 7 years
from the issuing data of pressure equipment (vessels, heat exchangers,
boilers, piping systems, etc.) Purchase Order.

3.1.5. All the Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) shall be identified by an

univocal number and all the welding shall have a reference to this
identification number that shall be reported in the construction drawings for
the equipment and in the Welding Summary Lists for piping.
All the Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and the Procedure
Qualification Records (PQR) shall be sent to TECHINT before to begin the
fabrication or construction.
A welding map showing where and how the Welding Procedure
Specification (WPS) will be used shall be provided.

3.1.6. Any comment or approval by TECHINT does not exempt the Manufacturer /
Subcontractor from his contractual responsibilities.
TECHINT can issue, at any moment, comments to the Welding Procedure
Specification (WPS), if divergences to the applicable provisions of Codes,
specifications, standards and construction drawings, as well as to good
engineering practice, are found.

3.2. The Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) shall be prepared as required in the
Codes listed at paragraph 1.2.

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3.3. The specific information that shall be included in the Welding Procedure
Specifications (WPS) and/or the limits that shall be respected are the followings :
- all the essential, supplementary essential and nonessential variables listed in
paragraphs from QW-252 to QW-265 of ASME Code Section IX for the
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applicable welding process;

- information and/or restrictions listed in Table 1 – “Acceptable welding
processes” of this Specification;
- designation of the materials effectively used in the welding;
- minimum preheating and minimum/maximum interpass temperatures;
- temperature range, holding time, maximum heating and cooling rate for Post
Weld Heat Treatment (when foreseen).

3.4. For welding of Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11 and Grade 22) and for welding between
carbon steel and Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11, Grade 22), the filler material (rods
end electrodes) of PQR and that one used for the pre-fabrication and assembly shall
have the same commercial name (Trade name) and the same nominal chemical
composition.

3.5. For welding of Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11 and Grade 22), in the production welds
the heating rate, holding time and cooling rate of Post Weld Heat Treatment
(PWHT), shall not be higher than that indicated in the PQR.

3.6. TECHINT reserves to reject, without times and costs at his charge, Welding
Procedure Specifications (WPS) that are supported by more than one Procedure
Qualification Record (PQR).
This specification is applicable for welding all materials, with suitable certification
(e.g.: EN, ASTM, etc...), even if not expressly stated.
In case that base material is not clearly identified and certified, the Manufacturer /
Subcontractor shall proceed with the execution of adequate analysis including as a
minimum the chemical analysis and the “Positive Material Identification” (PMI)
testing prior to proceed with any welding operation.

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4.0 WELDERS AND WELDING OPERATORS

4.1. Qualification
All welders and welding operators shall be qualified according to ASME Code
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Section IX.
The certification of qualification shall be available at site in original or with the stamp
“CONFORMS TO THE ORIGINAL” signed by the Quality Manager and the assigned
identification number or symbol must be indicated.
The Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall provide 5 days before their use, the
qualification certificate of the new welders and welding operators that are not
provided at the start of work date.
The operational staff involved in the tack welding operations (e.g.: pipe workers,
steel structure workers, etc.) shall be qualified through a test coupon carried out at
the presence of the Designated Control and by this one checked with visual
examination.

4.2. Identification
Welders and welding operators shall be identified by a number or a symbol, the same
present in the qualification certificate, that will be reported through “low stress”
punches at the sides of the weld bead.
If more welders or welding operators take part to a welding joint execution, each one
shall apply his identification number or symbol to indicate clearly the portion of the
joint that he has carried out.
The Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall keep at workplace an up to date record with
the list of the employed personnel (welders / welding operators), organized in such
way to maintain the complete traceability with the qualification certificates.

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5.0 PREHEATING

5.1. General
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5.1.1. Welding shall not be done when the ambient temperature is lower than
-18°C.
Only the implementation of special devices, like a heated structure or a
shelter maintaining the temperature at values not lower than -18°C, will
make executable the welding activities.

5.1.2. Welding shall not be carried out when condensation occurs on metal
surface, in this case a suitable preheating shall be provided.

5.1.3. In all cases the minimum preheat temperature shall be ≥ 20°C.

5.1.4. For carbon steel welding, if the environmental temperature is lower than
5°C, the base metal shall be preheated to 70°C and this shall be the
minimum temperature that shall be maintained during welding, unless a
higher temperature is specified in the following paragraphs.

5.1.5. Preheating shall be maintained for all the duration of weld.

5.1.6. Preheating temperature shall be reached over a band width at least 6 times
the joint thickness, with a minimum of 100 mm.

5.2. Ferritic steels

5.2.1. The minimum preheating temperature for carbon and alloy steels shall be:
a. for pressure equipment: according to Codes listed at paragraph 1.2
with the exception of carbon steel with thickness greater than 30 mm
that shall be preheated to a temperature ≥ 100°C;
b. for piping systems: according to ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3
Codes.
The above temperature limits are to be intended as minimum values.
It will be required to Manufacturer / Subcontractor, under his complete
responsibility, to define the minimum preheating temperature according to
chemical analysis, thickness, welding process and specific heat input.

5.2.2. When required, preheating shall concern the entire thickness of the edges
to be welded and not only the material surface.
No welding, also of temporary attachments, is permitted without the
specified preheat.

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5.3. Cr low alloy steels - Grade 11 and Grade 22

Preheating temperatures shall not be lower than those ones indicated in Table A.
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Table A
thk. < 15 mm thk. 15 ÷ 40 mm thk. > 40 mm
Steel type
preheat preheat preheat
1¼ Cr ½ Mo 150°C 200°C 220°C
2¼ Cr 1 Mo 200°C 220°C 220°C

Preheating shall be carried out using electric heaters.

Interpass temperatures shall not exceed 280°C.
The check of preheating and interpass temperature shall be carried out by means of
thermocouples.
For piping ≤ 4” and thickness ≤ 8.56 mm, preheating can be carried out by means of
propane lance.
Welds shall be completed before that preheating temperature falls below the
minimum required temperature.

5.4. Austenitic stainless steels and high nickel alloys

Austenitic stainless steels and high nickel alloys shall be preheated to a temperature
≥ 20°C (for all thicknesses).
Interpass temperature shall be ≤ 150°C.
Interpass temperature for Hastelloy shall be ≤ 50°C.

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5.5. Duplex and super-duplex steels

5.5.1. Preheating of duplex and super-duplex steels is not required. However, a

drying shall be carried out in case of condensate on the welding edges.
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Exceptions are some structures with high ferrite content (in weld and in
heat affected zone) in which some cracks (by hydrogen) can be induced, in
this case a preheat up to 150°C is recommended.
For 22 ÷ 23% Cr duplex steels, the maximum interpass temperature shall
not exceed 200°C.
For 25% Cr duplex and for super-duplex steels, the maximum interpass
temperature shall not exceed 150°C. In order to obtain optimal properties in
fused zone a maximum temperature of 100°C is recommended.
In case a solution annealing is foreseen after welding, it is not required any
restriction in the interpass temperature.

5.5.2. The Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall analyze the critical heating aspects
and highlight them in the Welding Procedure Specifications.

5.6. Welding dissimilar materials or thicknesses

For combinations of welding materials of dissimilar metals, or of different thickness,
the minimum preheating temperature shall be that one for the material requiring the
highest preheating value.
Exceptions are the welds between ferritic steels with austenitic or non-ferrous
materials, for them the austenitic or non-ferrous material of the joint shall not be
preheated.

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5.7. Electric arc cutting

A suitable preheating is required before carry out electric arc cutting operations.
For sealing runs of welding and defect removal gouging the arc cutting is not
permitted.
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5.8. Preheat maintaining for circumferential butt joints

For circumferential butt joints for which a preheating temperature less than 120°C is
required, the welds, and also the preheating, can be interrupted, providing that the
deposited thickness was at least the highest between the 25% of the joint thickness
and 10 mm.
The weld shall be slowly cooled in still air.
Before weld restarting, preheat shall be restored.
For circumferential butt joints and for joints with a high content of ferritic alloys,
which normally require a preheating to a temperature higher than or equal to 120°C,
as well as for welding of shells, nozzles of pressure equipment or connections to
headers, the preheating shall be maintained without interruption until the beginning
of the Post Weld Heat Treatment, unless that shall be carried out a preheating at
200°C or a soak at 300°C for 2 hours providing that the joint shall be thermally
insulated and let to cool slowly after welding.
All Grade 11 and 22 joints shall be post-heated at 350°C (minimum 1 hour) before
the joint fall below the preheating temperature. At the end of the post-heating, the
joint shall be cooled, under insulation, to a temperature less than 80°C.

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6.0 WELDING

6.1. General
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6.1.1. The welding processes to be used for the fabrication are listed in Table 1
“Acceptable welding processes”.
The use of any other welding process must be approved in writing by
TECHINT.
The fabrication shall also comply with the requirements indicated in this
Specification.

6.1.2. Unless authorized in writing by TECHINT, all the butt joints, accessible on
both sides, shall be welded with sealing run.
When the access or the wall thickness preclude the use of the butt weld
with sealing run, a weld on one side only with root weld using the process
with non-consumable tungsten electrode (GTAW) [process 141] shall be
carried out.

6.1.3. If the welded joint requires a particular root penetration, without sealing run,
the Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall prepare (providing if necessary a
suitable etch) a transversal section specimen of the joint, in order to
demonstrate that the proposed welding process reaches the required root
penetration.
TECHINT, at its judgment, can require the radiography of a test joint in
addition to the required specimen.

6.1.4. Permanent backing rings in the joints are not permitted, unless previous
written authorization by TECHINT.
Temporary backing rings shall have the same chemical composition as the
base material and after the welding shall be removed.
Fuse rings are not acceptable.

6.1.5. All welds of nozzles, manholes and their reinforcements to shells and
heads of pressure equipment shall be full penetration type.

6.1.6. All welds shall be carried out as careful as the main ones.
This includes welds for insulating support rings and connections for
ladders, platforms and pipe supports.
It is essential to use qualified welding procedures, to employ qualified
welders / welding operators as well as a suitable preheating temperature
that shall not be lower than that one used for carried out the main joints.

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6.1.7. It is forbidden to striking the arc on the component to be welded outside the
groove (the use of suitable small plates is allowed).
In case of accidental striking arc outside the groove, the concerned area
shall be grinded (taking care that the thickness of the material does not fail
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under the minimum allowable value) and then submitted to a liquid

penetrant examination.

6.2. Base material preparation

6.2.1. Joint preparation for welding shall be carried out only by tool machining.
Excessively sharp or deep irregularities in joint edges shall be removed by
machining or grinding.
Joints edges shall be free from cracks and peelings before welding.

6.2.2. When thermal cutting is used on ferritic steels, the beveled surfaces shall
be ground approximately 1,5 mm in order to remove the hardened or
sensitized zones.

6.2.3. Thermal cutting for Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) is not
acceptable.

6.2.4. The grooves of Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) shall be
submitted to a 100% surface examination (magnetic particles or liquid
penetrant) before welding.

6.2.5. Groove preparation shall be carried out according to the Codes listed at
paragraph 1.2.
Different preparations can be used only if authorized in writing by
TECHINT.

6.2.6. Oil, grease, dirt, rust and deposits shall be removed from the surfaces of
joint and adjacent base metal within 25 mm from the edge of the joint,
before welding.
Oil and grease shall not be removed by heating with torch.

6.2.7. For welds carried out in first pass, regardless of the process, the cleaning
extension shall include also the preparation backside.

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6.2.8. For welding components in ferritic steel, internally cladded/lined with

materials with a high content of chromium or nickel-chromium, the high
alloy material shall be removed for a width such to guarantee the integrity
(10 mm minimum on both sides) before any cutting operation.
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To insure the complete removal of cladding or filler material with high

chromium content from the involved edges, those ones shall be etched with
an 8% nitric acid solution or equivalent solution approved by TECHINT.
For other cladded materials the procedure for the preparation of the base
material shall be submitted to TECHINT for approval.

6.3. Coupling of the components to be welded

6.3.1. Tack welds shall be carried out according to the applicable WPS of the
welding joint, otherwise it shall be qualified.

6.3.2. Tack welds shall be removed or re-melted during welding, in this case is
necessary to check previously that these are free from defects.

6.3.3. In case of coupling using hook bolts, those ones shall be welded with a
qualified procedure and carried out according to the applicable WPS of the
coupled joint.
Removal shall be by grinding.
After grinding the area shall be liquid penetrant examined.

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6.3.4. Cr low alloy steels - Grade 11 and Grade 22

Pipe tack weld shall be carried out using “temporary fixing” devices of the
same material as the base material (after submission of the mill certificate).
“Temporary fixing” devices shall be welded by qualified welders and then
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removed without altering the material characteristics in the welded zone.

After the removal, shall be necessary to carried out a magnetic particles
examination (MT) or a liquid penetrant examination (PT).
Possible repairs shall be carried out using the same electrodes as for the
welding of the butt joints.
After the welding, followed by a suitable grinding, a magnetic particles or
liquid penetrant examination shall be repeated to be sure that restoration
has been happened, all this before the heat treatment, if required.
Particularly care shall be used when removing the welded hook bolts, if
used, in order to avoid lamellar tearing on the pipe wall.
For welding without sealing run, tack weld at bottom groove shall be
considered exceptional and shall be always authorized by TECHINT.
When possible, it is recommended to carry out the tack welds on the
groove sides after having inserted in the same some small pieces of
section bar of the same material as the base material (after mill test
certificate presentation).
All tack welds on the groove sides shall be removed or re-melted during
welding.
Pipe alignment shall be necessarily carried out using collars or brackets to
avoid absolutely welds directly on the pipes, brackets or fixing squares.

6.4. Cold bending

Cold bending is not acceptable for Cr low alloy steels.

6.5. First run execution

6.5.1. The first run in butt joints and branches, shall be carried out so that to
achieve complete and regular penetration.
Over penetration, also if localized, shall not exceed 3 mm.

6.5.2. The first run shall be free of internal undercuts, incompletely filled grooves
and defective sealing.
Stop craters shall be removed, if they present defects or irregularities that
can jeopardize a proper sealing.

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6.5.3. When welding is starting, and up to the joint has not been completed, it
shall be avoided that the component was subjected to movements, impacts
or vibrations that can damage the weld.

6.5.4. It is forbidden to interrupt the weld before completing the first run.
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6.5.5. In case of gas shielded welding with non-consumable tungsten electrode

(GTAW) [process 141], the arc shall be turn off on the groove edge,
keeping the gas shield on the weld pool until the end of the cooling.

6.5.6. At the end of the first run the possible visible defects, and any bead
irregularity, shall be eliminated by grinding in order not to affect the
subsequent run.
In the case of welds with SMAW [process 111], SAW [process 12] and
FCAW processes [process 136, 137 and114], the slag shall be carefully
removed.

6.5.7. In case of Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) and austenitic
stainless steels, welded without sealing run, it is always required the gas
backing shield with inert gas.
In case of Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) nitrogen cannot be
used as inert gas.

6.6. Filling execution

6.6.1. The filling shall be carried out, usually, immediately after the first run.

6.6.2. In case of Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) and austenitic
stainless steels, welded without sealing run, the backing shield with inert
gas shall be maintained until the completion of the second filling run.
The gas backing shall be provided also in case of welding of supports to
pipes with thickness lower than or equal to 4 mm.

6.6.3. In case of Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) is mandatory to
complete the weld without interruptions, in order to avoid the risk of
unsuccessful maintaining of the preheating (due to atmospheric events or
absence of power supply).

6.6.4. At the end of each run, the slag shall be carefully removed and eliminated,
by grinding, the possible defects, the metal excesses and the bead
irregularities, in order not to affect the execution of the subsequent runs.
When the joint has been completed, it shall be carefully cleaned to
eliminate the slag and metal spatters.

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6.6.5. Completed butt welds shall have a weld over thickness not higher than the
value indicated at paragraph 9.6.
The bead shall completely cover the bevels.
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6.6.6. At the visual examination the welds shall be free of marginal undercuts,
outcropping porosities, discontinuities or other defects and also the bead
shall be properly joined with the base metal.

6.6.7. It is forbidden to clean the bead edges with chisel or hacksaw blade.
Filing is rather acceptable in order to avoid sharp undercuts.

6.6.8. In socket joints and in slip on flanges, the weld shall be carried out with at
least two runs.

6.7. Duplex and super-duplex steels

6.7.1. Only nickel alloyed filler materials with a nickel content higher than that one
of the base material shall be used.

6.7.2. The re-drying of covered electrodes and flux for submerged arc welding
SAW [process 12] shall be carried out at a temperature not lower than
300°C (unless different requirement by Manufacturer).

6.7.3. Gas containing hydrogen shall not be used for gas shield welds.

6.7.4. Backing gas shield containing hydrogen can be used only under the
complete control of the work conditions.

6.7.5. The dilution of the weld deposit on base material shall be limited to 30% for
base materials that have a poor nickel content respect that one of the filler
material.

6.7.6. The weld metal, with welding processes GTAW [process 141], shall have a
ferrite number FN included between 30 and 100 (22 ÷ 70%).
With other welding processes, or for welded joints exposed to corrosive
environment and/or in presence of diffusible hydrogen and stresses that
can spark cracks by hydrogen, the ferrite number FN shall be included
between 30 and 85 (22 ÷ 60%).

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6.7.7. Welds on thin walls shall not involve their own overheating.
The arc energy shall be selected according to material composition and
involved thickness.
In these cases a cold pass technique, that includes a root run with normal
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welding parameters (specific heat input 1,2 ÷ 2 kJ/mm) followed by one or

two runs with limited heat input (maximum 1,5 kJ/mm), shall be applied.

6.7.8. The Welding Procedure Specifications concerning to repairs shall be

submitted to TECHINT approval.

6.7.9. The Welding Procedure Specifications shall include the specific heat input
as essential variable.

6.7.10. Welds without filler metal, arc ignition and inaccurate tack welds on base
material are not acceptable.

6.7.11. For welding shall be used tools, disks, grinds and different assembly
different devices, assigned to be used exclusively for duplex and super-
duplex materials.

6.7.12. The welding area shall be suitably cleaned after welding.

6.8. Welded components in hydrogen service

The pressure equipment is defined operating in hydrogen service when the partial
hydrogen pressure is higher than 6.9 bar absolutes.
In this case the following requirements shall be respected:
a. for pressure equipment and piping systems in hydrogen service all welds in
contact with the process fluid shall be full penetration type;
b. all butt welds on pressure components shall be 100% X-rays examined, the
non-butt welds shall be ultrasonically examined;
c. all reinforcement plates welded to the walls subjected to pressure shall have a
vent hole.

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6.9. Welded components in wet H2S service

6.9.1. If carbon steel material is used for the fabrication, it shall be killed fine grain
type supplied in normalized condition.
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6.9.2. The requirements of NACE Standard MR0103 “Materials Resistant to

Sulfide Stress Cracking in Corrosive Petroleum Refining Environments”
shall be applied.

6.9.3. Pressure equipment and piping systems, if fabricated in killed carbon steel
or in low alloy steel, shall be submitted to Post Weld Heat Treatment.

6.9.4. For pressure equipment and piping systems in wet H2S service, the
hardness of base metal, fused zone and heat affected zone shall not
exceed the values required in the NACE Standard MR0103.

6.10. Welded components coated with low-melting materials

Welds shall not be carried out on components protected with inorganic zinc primer
or hot dip galvanized, unless the zinc is completely removed from the area adjoining
the weld by sandblasting or grinding.
The removal of zinc rich areas by burning is not permitted.

6.11. Heat exchanger tubes to tubesheets weld

6.11.1. Sample mock-ups of tubes to tubesheet joints shall be carried out when the
strength weld is specified and, in case of seal weld, when non-ferrous
alloys are joined.

6.11.2. Sample mock-ups shall be made by the same welders that subsequently
will carry out the production welds.

6.11.3. Sample mock-ups shall have a minimum of 7 tubes, 75 mm length,

protruding from the back side of the tubesheet, using the same tube layout,
same material and same Welding Procedure foreseen for the fabrication of
the involved equipment.

6.11.4. The Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) shall be carried out according
to EEMUA Publication N. 143 and shall include the tear test.

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6.12. Lined components

6.12.1. Internal surface of base material shall be cleaned to remove rust, bumps,
deposits, dirt, weld spatters, etc., weld reinforcements shall be flush ground
with inside surface.
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6.12.2. Acceptable welding processes are with non-consumable tungsten electrode

(GTAW) [process 141], manual and with covered electrode (SMAW)
[process 111].

6.12.3. Acceptable filler materials are the same as those used for clad restoring.

6.13. Welding of cladded and/or weld deposited materials

The following requirements are applicable to pressure equipment fabricated with
cladded plates and/or with weld deposit.

6.13.1. The weld overlay process shall be carried out and qualified according to the
requirements of ASME Code Section IX.
The Procedure Qualification Record shall contain at least the following
information :
- chemical analysis;
- result of liquid penetrant examination (PT) on first and last layer;
- result of bend tests;
- ferrite content of the overlay material;
- ferrocyanide test, when required.
Elements to be included in the chemical analysis of weld deposit shall be
the carbon and all other elements included in the filler metal with a content
higher than 1%.

Unless otherwise specified, the material sample for the chemical analysis
shall be taken at least 3 mm depth from the weld deposit surface.
The depth at which these samples have been taken shall be indicated on
the Procedure Qualification Record.
The weld deposit surface shall be relatively smooth (the wave is permitted
but without notches, indentations, etc.).
Interface between the base metal and the weld deposit shall be prepared
by machining, or grinding, whenever it is necessary to eliminate pockets,
sharp notches and other defects that can forbid the bond of weld deposit
material.
When required, the sample of the welding test shall be submitted to a heat
treatment equivalent to that one foreseen for the fabrication.

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6.13.2. Pressure equipment fabricated with carbon steel or alloy steel plates,
cladded or with weld deposit, shall be welded according to the following
welding sequence :
a. removal of cladded or weld deposited material for at least 10 mm on
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both sides from the groove edge of base material.

The ground area shall be acid etched to insure the complete removal
of clad or weld deposit;
b. tack weld of groove from base material side;
c. complete weld of base material from the non-cladded or without weld
deposit side using suitable appropriate filler materials (see chapter 7);
d. grinding to sound root metal of base material from the cladded or with
weld deposit side and sealing run of the joint using the same filler
material as at point “c”, flush with base material surface.
A distance of 2 mm between the cladded or with weld deposit
material and sealing run shall always be guaranteed;
e. overlay the joint between the cladded or weld deposited material
using suitable filler materials (see chapter 7);
f. the cladding or weld deposit restoring shall be carried out using filler
material of corresponding alloy or more alloyed;
g. liquid penetrant examination of the restored surface to ensure the
complete absence of cracks.

6.13.3. Unless otherwise specified, the thickness of weld deposit shall be such to
guarantee, at 3 mm depth from the surface, the same chemical
characteristics as the required lining material.
Maximum weld deposit thickness shall not exceed 10 mm.
The surfaces with weld deposit shall be leaved in the “as deposited”
conditions with the exception of the surfaces in contact with gaskets that
will require machining.

6.13.4. Samples for chemical analysis shall be taken using the “chipping” or
“drilling” technique.
Unless otherwise specified, the sample shall be taken from the weld
deposit from at least 3 mm depth from the surface.
All the areas from which a sample for the chemical analysis has been taken
shall be repaired by Manufacturer using qualified procedures and welders.

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6.13.5. The checks of chemical analysis shall be carried out as follows :

- for cladded equipment at least one chemical analysis shall be carried
out on each circumferential and longitudinal weld deposit of shell and
head welds;
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- for nozzles and piping systems is required that weld deposit material
will be submitted to chemical analysis, taken on the welded
component, for each welder, each Welding Procedure and each lot of
wire and/or welding flux.

6.13.6. If a cladded component is welded to a non-cladded component, the

cladding end shall be welded to the corresponding base material with a
continuous fillet weld.

6.13.7. The overlapping area between contiguous runs shall be indicated on the
WPS.

6.13.8. All procedures for heat treatment of cladded pressure equipment or piping
components shall be submitted to TECHINT for approval.

6.13.9. The ferrite content, for austenitic stainless steel weld deposits, shall be
included between FN 4 and FN 9.
The ferrite content shall be determined by the chemical composition of weld
deposit referred to the Schaeffler or De Long diagrams, or by a magnetic
gage (Severn, Magna, or equivalent).

6.13.10. Components not conform to chemical analysis requirements and/or ferrite

content shall be pointed out to TECHINT for the resolution.

6.13.11. Ferro cyanide test shall be carried out on all monel and copper-nickel
linings to guarantee the absence of iron and must be reported on the PQR.
The presence of iron shall be indicated with the blue color.

6.14. Deposit of wear-resistant materials

6.14.1. Hard-Facing deposits shall be qualified according to the requirements of

ASME Code Section IX and to the following prescriptions, before the
beginning of the production welds.
The hard facing qualification shall be carried out using the same
procedures, materials, welders/welding operators that will be used during
production.

6.14.2. A buffer layer shall be deposited on ferritic steel, using AWS ENiCrFe2 or
3, or ERNiCr3 materials, in order to provide a suitable base material to
deposit the hard material.
In “high sulfur” service (S > 0.5%) at elevated temperature (T > 425°C), the
buffer layer material shall be E 309L or ER 309L.

6.14.3. Hard facing materials to be used are AWS ERCoCrA and ECoCrA.

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6.14.4. The particular requirements for hard facing qualification, are the followings :
- the maximum allowable width of capillary cracks shall not exceed 0,8
mm;
- the crack shall not reach the base material;
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- the minimum hardness on cobalt deposited base material shall be 40

HRC;
- the hardness on the heat affected zone of ferritic base material shall
be according to the requirements of this Specification for the steels.

6.14.5. The requirements for the production tests are the followings:
- the maximum allowable width of capillary cracks shall not exceed 0,8
mm;
- the cracks shall not show abundant evidence on base material;
- the minimum hardness shall be 40 HRC.

6.15. Preparation and presentation of “piping system” spools

Each weld shall be punched with the individual mark of the welder / welder operator.

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7.0 FILLER MATERIALS FOR WELDING

7.1. General
Electrodes and/or filler materials shall be supplied according to the requirements of
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the Codes listed at paragraph 1.2, of ASME Code Section II Part C and shall be
selected so that :
- the strength of the deposited material by welding shall be at least equal to the
minimum tensile strength of base material;
- when similar materials are welding, the chemical composition of the deposited
material shall be as similar as possible to that one of base material.
What above does not preclude the use of welding materials containing different alloy
elements, or in different quantities, from those ones of base material, provided that
shall be evident that such elements are not harmful and that this is the only possible
way to obtain the required properties of the weld deposited material, such a suitable
tensile strength after Post Weld Heat Treatment or a suitable toughness at low
temperature.

7.1.1. Electrodes, wires and fluxes shall be conforms to what indicated in the
Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).

7.1.2. Any box or container of weld material shall have the same reference
indications quoted in the Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).

7.1.3. For all filler materials a certificate according to ASME Code Section II Part
C - SFA-5.01 lot classification “C1”, “S1” or “T1”, is required, unless
otherwise specified.

7.2. Storage

7.2.1. Electrodes and fluxes ready for use shall be absolutely dry.
Basic electrodes and fluxes shall be dried in suitable ovens at controlled
temperature between 350°C and 370°C for at least 1 hour and then
maintained at 120°C until they are taken (anyway, if more restrictive, the
requirement of Manufacturer shall be followed).
Electrodes not contained in the original packages or with damaged
packages, shall be rejected and segregated.

7.2.2. Electrodes that show traces of oxidation, or with coating damaged or wet,
shall be rejected and segregated.

7.2.3. After drying in oven, basic electrodes and fluxes shall be kept in suitable
containers that shall maintain them heated and protected from humidity up
to the moment of their use.
Each welder who is using basic electrodes shall have a heated quiver
(temperature ≥ 80°C) from which he will extract the electrode to be used.

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7.2.4. After 8 hours of permanence in the quiver, the unused basic electrodes
shall be put into the holding ovens.
After 15 days of permanence in the holding ovens, the unused electrodes
must be disposed.
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7.2.5. The use of electrodes or fluxes polluted by oil, grease or paint is not
permitted.
Before their use, the filler rods shall be cleaned from possible pollutions.

7.3. Cr low alloy steels - Grade 11 and Grade 22

For welding between carbon steel and Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11 and Grade 22),
or between two different grades of Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22), the
type of filler material that is intended to use shall be previously agreed with
TECHINT.
For welding between austenitic stainless steel and Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11 and
Grade 22), when design temperature is not higher than 300°C, filler materials type
E/ER 309L shall be used.
When design temperature is higher than 300°C, nickel alloys type ERNiCrMo3 or
ENiCrMo3 shall be used.
The type of filler material that is intended to be used shall be previously agreed with
TECHINT.
All filler materials in Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11 and Grade 22) shall have a carbon
content no less than 0.05% (a certificate according to ASME Code Section II Part C
- SFA-5.01, lot classification “C4” or “S3”, with inspection / testing level “I”, is
required).

7.4. Austenitic stainless steels and alloys with high nickel content

7.4.1. For carbon steels and low alloy steels welded to austenitic stainless steels
with operating temperatures up to 370°C and in absence of thermal cycles
and Post Weld Heat Treatments, stainless steel type 309 or 309L shall be
used as filler material.
For these different combinations of base materials with operating
temperatures higher than 370°C, electrodes type Inconel 182 (ENiCrFe-3),
or Incoweld A (ENiCrFe-2), or TIG filler rods type Inconel 82 (ERNiCr-3)
shall be used.
These electrodes/filler materials can also be used as alternative to type 309
for welding components operating at low temperatures, unless there is
presence of sulfur.

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7.4.2. For ferritic steels welded to austenitic stainless steels (300 series), in case
that Post Weld Heat Treatment is required for the ferritic part, such
treatment shall be carried out after the deposit of ENiCrFe-3 (Inconel 182)
on the grooved surface.
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The weld to austenitic part shall be subsequently carried out using

ENiCrFe-3 as filler material.

7.5. Duplex and super-duplex steels

Filler materials shall be selected, for all welding processes, according to the
following table:

Filler materials 23% Cr duplex 22% Cr duplex 25% Cr duplex 25% Cr duplex 25% Cr
CEN classification without Mo without Cu 1.0 ÷ 2.5% Cu super-duplex

22 9 3 L  (1) 
25 7 2 
25 9 3 CuL 
25 9 4 L    

(1) Do not use for welds in HNO3 service.

7.6. Welded components in low temperature service

For components with minimum design temperature < -29°C, all filler materials shall
have the certificate according to ASME Code Section II Part C - SFA-5.01, lot
classification “C4” or “S3”, with inspection / testing level “I”.

7.7. Filler materials for welded components in wet H2S service

Filler materials for components in wet H2S service shall comply with the following
requirements :
a. nickel content in fused zone shall be ≤ 1%;
b. all filler materials shall be supplied with certificate according to ASME Code
Section II Part C - SFA-5.01, lot classification “C4” or “S3”, with inspection /
testing level “I”.
c. Basic electrodes and fluxes shall be dried in suitable ovens at controlled
temperature between 350°C and 400°C for at least 2 hour and then
maintained at 120°C until they are taken (anyway, if more restrictive, the
requirements of the Manufacturer shall be followed).

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8.0 POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT

8.1. Post Weld Heat Treatments of carbon and low alloy steels shall be in compliance
with the requirements of the following Codes :
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- ASME Section I;
- ASME Section VIII Division 1;
- ASME Section VIII Division 2;
- ASME B31.1;
- ASME B31.3.
When components of different thickness are welded, the holding time at Post Weld
Heat Treatment temperature shall be that one concerning the greater thickness.
For base materials supplied with tempering heat treatment, the temperature of Post
Weld Heat Treatment must be at least 20°C lower than the tempering heat treatment
temperature of base material.
At this purpose, the Manufacturer / Subcontractor shall previously supply the
material certificates showing the parameters (temperature and holding time at
temperature) concerning the heat treatments undergone by materials during the
production cycle.

8.2. Post Weld Heat Treatments of austenitic stainless steel components and/or in alloys
with high nickel content shall be carried out only if specifically required.

8.3. Heat treatments can be carried out by electrical induction, electrical resistance, or
with electrical or fuel furnaces.
A suitable device shall record the entire cycle of the heat treatment on diagram
paper: heating rate, holding time at temperature, cooling rate.
This device shall be connected to thermocouples using a suitable compensated
cable, in addition shall be checked and calibrated in the place of use with type of
thermocouples and compensated cable used.
In the record diagram the references of individual thermocouples shall be clearly
distinguished.
The record diagrams of heat treatments shall report the following data :
- progressive number of diagram;
- number of weld / welds (with reference to line / isometric for piping);
- Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) used;
- number and reference of thermocouples;
- number and reference of recorders;
- date and hour of heat treatment execution;
- temperature and time scales;
- stamp and signature of the responsible of heat treatment execution.

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8.4. The thermocouples shall be located so as to avoid both the direct contact with the
heating electric elements and the burner flame.
The number of thermocouples to be applied is specified in Table B.
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Outside pipe diameter
Do ≤ 323,8 mm (12”)
323,8 mm (12”) < Do ≤ 457,2 (18”)
Do > 457,2 (18”)
Table B
Minimum number of Thermocouples position
thermocouples (reference in degrees)
2 0° - 180°
3 0° - 120° - 240°
4 0° - 90 - 180° - 270°

8.5. Possible fixing systems for thermocouples carried out by weld shall be supported by
a qualified WPS and certified welders.
Preheating temperature shall be the same required for the weld or for the material to
be heat treated.
After that heat treatment has been completed, the fixing areas of thermocouples
shall be flush ground and checked with liquid penetrant or magnetic particle
examinations.

8.6. If heating and/or cooling rate, or the temperature gaps between thermocouples,
exceeds the required limits, the joint so heat treated shall be submitted to
radiographic examination.
If maximum heat treatment temperatures, or holding time at temperature, are not
within the required limits, the heat treatment must be repeated.

8.7. The furnace configuration shall be such to avoid the direct contact of the flame with
the material surface.

8.8. All machined surfaces shall be protected against oxidation during heat treatment.

8.9. Internal and external surfaces of component to be heat treated shall be sufficiently
cleaned and free from any foreign material that can cause harmful metallurgic
effects on the material as a consequence of the heat cycle.

8.10. During heat treatment, no low melting point material, as copper or galvanized steel
wires, shall come in contact with the material to be treated.

8.11. The representative specimens of the component to be heat treated shall be heat
treated at the same time as the component itself, or, if are treated separately, they
shall be submitted to an equivalent heat treatment.

8.12. After final heat treatment, no arc ignition or repair can be made on component
unless the same is heat treated again.

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8.13. Cr low alloy steels - Grade 11 and Grade 22

Heat treatments, during prefabrication, shall be carried out in furnace.
For thicknesses higher than or equal to 25 mm, localized heat treatments shall be
carried out by electric induction.
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The heating rate shall not exceed 100°C/hour above 300°C.

The cooling rate shall not exceed 100°C/hour until 300°C and below 300°C the
cooling must be done in still air.

8.14. For piping welds Post Weld Heat Treatment shall be carried out, when required,
according to the requirements of Table C.

Table C

Post Weld Heat Treatment

Material
temperature
650°C ÷ 680°C
1¼Cr ½Mo Si
705°C ÷ 720°C (for ASME B31.3 only)
2¼Cr 1Mo 705°C ÷ 720°C

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9.0 WELDING QUALITY

9.1. Repair, inspection, rejection

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9.1.1. Weld repairs shall comply with the prescriptions of the applicable Code,
including preheating, Post Weld Heat Treatment and non-destructive
examination requirements.

9.1.2. Defects shall be removed by grinding and the repaired welds shall be Post
Weld Heat Treated, if it was originally required, and examined according to
the original method to guarantee the absence of defects.

9.1.3. Welds indicating irreparable defects, improper fabrication and/or excessive

repairs, can be rejected at any time by TECHINT.

9.1.4. Inspection shall be carried out on all full thickness of butt welds according
to the follows :
- For pressure equipment
Radiographic technique and acceptance standards shall be conform
to the requirements of ASME Section V, ASME Section I, ASME
Section VIII Division 1 and ASME Section VIII Division 2 Codes.
When submerged arc welding has been used for main seams, all
seam intersections and all stopping and starting points of welding
runs shall be radiographed.
Radiographic examination shall be carried out after the Post Weld
Heat Treatment, if required.
- For piping components
Radiographic technique and acceptance standards shall be conform
to the requirements of ASME Section V, ASME B31.1 and ASME
B31.3 Codes.

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9.2. Hardness limitations

9.2.1. For pressure equipment and piping components, not operating in wet H2S
service, the hardness of base material, weld and heat affected zone shall
not exceed the following values :
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Material Hardness

Carbon steel
225 HB
(only for thicknesses greater than 25 mm)
1Cr and 1¼Cr alloy steel 225 HB
2¼Cr alloy steel 241 HB
400 series stainless steel 241 HB

For Cr low alloy steel (Grade 11 and Grade 22) a ferritic-bainitic structure
shall be ensured.
For Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22), hardness shall be
checked in fused zone, in heat affected zone and in base material near the
heat affected zone at 40 mm distance from the same (on both sides).

9.2.2. Hardness tests shall be carried out :

- For pressure equipment
At least one measurement shall be made on 10% of longitudinal
welds, 10% of circumferential welds and 10% of nozzle to shell
junctions.
- For piping components
At least one measurement shall be made on 10% of piping
component welds and at least one measurement on 100% of welds
requiring local Post Weld Heat treatment.

9.2.3. If two different materials are welded, the maximum hardness of the weld
shall not exceed the lesser required value for the involved base materials.
Hardness of each affected zone shall not exceed the hardness required for
the contiguous base material.

9.2.4. Requirements for Procedure Qualification Records

Tests for Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) shall always include
hardness tests in weld metal, heat affected zone and base metal.
If Post Weld Heat Treatment is required, the hardness tests shall be carried
out after that.
Hardness in heat affected zone shall be measured at 0,5 mm distance from
the nearest point of the welded zone.

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9.3. Austenitic stainless steels

9.3.1. Ferrite content measurements and additional tests

If a limitation of ferrite content in austenitic stainless steels is required, this
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measurement shall be according to the following requirements :

9.3.1.1. Ferrite content measurements shall be carried out before Post

Weld Heat Treatment, if required.

9.3.1.2. Ferrite content measurements shall be carried out in the centre of

the weld, using a Ferritescope or De Long and/or Schaeffler
diagrams, combined with chemical analysis results.
The chemical analysis sample shall be taken at 2 mm depth from
weld surface.

9.3.1.3. Ferrite content measurements shall be carried out:

- For pressure equipment
One measurement for every 3 m of weld with a minimum of 4
measurements for each circumferential weld and 2 for each
longitudinal weld shall be made.
A minimum of one measurement for each full penetration
weld of nozzles shall be made.
- For piping components
A minimum of 2 measurements for each circumferential and
longitudinal weld of piping components shall be made.

9.3.1.4. Ferrite content shall be included between FN 4 and FN 9.

If one measurement falls outside the permitted limits, two
additional measurements shall be made near to point of the
original measurement.
If also one of these additional measurements fall outside the limits,
TECHINT shall be referred for the final decision concerning the
acceptance, or the re-making, of the weld.
The limits are related to measurements carried out before the Post
Weld Heat Treatment.

9.3.1.5. Ferrite content measurements shall be indicated in the PQR.

Method of measurements and the acceptable values shall be the
same as for the production welds.

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9.3.1.6. Additional tests

During welding execution, for each steel type used and for each lot
(same cast number and same heat treatment cycle) the following
tests shall be carried out according to ASTM A 262 - Practice A
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specification :
- corrosion test in heat affected zone;
- micrographic examination for search of chromium carbide
precipitation in heat affected zone;
- measurement of ferrite content in fused zone, this value shall
be included between FN 4 and FN 9.

9.4. The Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) shall include the results of additional
tests (hardness, impact test, etc.), when required.

9.5. Stress risers

Special care shall be taken to eliminate or prevent stress riser phenomena, which
can cause brittleness in the material, due to presence of notches or change of
section.
Therefore, the reference lines shall not be stamped the pressure equipment
components.
Welder’s and welding operator’s symbols shall be stamped on pressure equipment
components and piping system spools, using a round head punch, stamping shall
be made at least 25 mm distance from the weld edge.

9.6. Workings
Reinforcements of butt welds, on pressure equipment plate joints, shall not exceed
the following values:

Plate thickness “t” Maximum reinforcement

thickness

up to 13 mm min [(⅓ t); (2 mm)]

over 13 mm up to 25 mm 2.5 mm
over 25 mm 3 mm

Reinforcements shall be joined to the contiguous surfaces.

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9.7. Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22)

9.7.1. Final check of welds

In addition to the requirements of Codes and applicable Rules, on all joints
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in Grade 22 material, carried out both in prefabrication and in erection, the

radiographic examination shall be executed before the Post Weld Heat
Treatment and the ultrasonic examination after the Post Weld Heat
Treatment.
If thickness, or diameter, are not sufficient to enable the execution of the
ultrasonic examination (minimum thickness for ultrasonic examination is
9,52 mm and minimum diameter is 12”), a further radiographic examination
shall be carried out.
The required non-destructive examinations shall be carried out at least 48
hours after the Post Weld Heat Treatment of the joints.

9.7.2. Visual examination (VT)

First run shall be checked, after grinding, with a visual examination only (to
avoid the interruption of welding and pre-heating).
The surface grinding of the first run shall be very careful.
On completion of the weld, all joints shall be submitted to visual
examination before any other consequent examination both surface and
volumetric.

9.7.3. Surface examination with magnetic particles (MT) or liquid penetrant (PT)
A surface examination (MT or PT) shall be carried out at 100% on welds
after Post Weld Heat Treatment.

9.7.4. Ultrasonic examination (UT)

If ultrasonic examination is required for thickness ≥ 20 mm, the over
thickness of the joint shall be prepared with “shoe” shaving by grinding,
providing also the circumferential scanning of the joint.
TECHINT reserves the UT operator check before the beginning of the
activities, through a practical examination in Site.

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Table 1 - Acceptable welding processes

Limitations
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Welding arc processes

(13)

111 - with covered electrodes SMAW - Shielded Metal Arc (14), (15), (18)

141 - with non-consumable GTAW - Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG) (1), (11), (18)
tungsten electrode,
TIG weld

131 - in inert gas with GMAW - Gas Metal Arc (1), (2), (3), (7),
consumable electrode wire, (10), (11), (16)
MIG weld
135 - in active shielding gas with (1), (2), (3), (7),
consumable electrode wire, (10), (11), (16)
MAG weld

136 - in active shielding gas with FCAW - Flux-Cored Arc (5), (9), (16)
cored electrode
137 - in inert gas with cored (5), (9), (16)
electrode wire
114 - with cored electrode wire (5), (9), (12), (16)
without shielding gas

12 - submerged with electrode SAW - Submerged Arc (4), (5), (6), (8),
wire (9), (17), (18)

Limitations

The use of these welding processes is bounded to the following limitations :

(1) An internal washing with inert gas is required for weld consumable inserts of all materials,
for root and second run of single welds for butt joints in materials with alloy content
greater than 3%.
In order to guarantee a proper shielding for gas backing, it is necessary to introduce the
necessary amount of gas before welding.
During welding, the gas backing flow rate shall be that one qualified.

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(2) Short Arc or Pulsed Arc manual welding is :

- permitted for root weld runs of butt joints in any material independently from
thickness;
- permitted for full thickness butt welds and fillet welds of pressure components,
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structural supports and internals of equipment, whenever the thickness of both

materials of the joint does not exceed 9 mm;
- not permitted when a big thermal dissipating mass can compromise the weld
integrity (slip-on and socket flange welds, fillet welds, branches, weldolets, etc.) and
whenever the thickness of both materials of the joint exceeds 9 mm;
- not permitted for piping components with nominal diameter lower than 75 mm;
- permitted only if the feed direction is indicated in the Welding Procedure
Specification;
- not permitted to deposit filling or covering in descending;
- the percentage of the welds to be radiographed shall be increased by 5% as regards
than one required by applicable Code.

(3) Short Arc or Pulsed Arc automatic welding is permitted for full thickness butt welds, for
piping components of any dimension, with the following limitations :
- PA position only;
- for thicknesses larger than 9 mm, but not over 25 mm, is permitted to use an
automatic weaving arc and a minimum current of 170 ampere is required for all runs
after root run;
- not permitted when a big thermal dissipating mass can compromise the weld
integrity (slip-on and socket flange welds, fillet welds, branches, weldolets, etc.) and
whenever the thickness of both materials of the joint exceeds 9 mm;
- not permitted for piping components with nominal diameter lower than 75 mm;
- permitted only if the feed direction is indicated in the Welding Procedure
Specification;
- not permitted to deposit filling or covering in descending;
- the percentage of the welds to be radiographed shall be increased as regards than
one required by applicable Code, by 5% for welds on thicknesses up to 9 mm and
by 10% for those ones on larger thicknesses.

(4) The use of neutral flux (non-sensitive) is required for Submerged Arc Welding [process
12] of carbon steels with thicknesses larger than 25 mm and for all materials other than
carbon steel.
If a sensitive flux is used, each production welding shall have a maximum hardness of 200
HB.

(5) The use of alloyed wire and of neutral flux is required for alloy weld deposits.

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(6) Manual Submerged Arc Welding [process 12] is not permitted.

The manufacturer and trade name or grade of the flux, shall be indicated in the Welding
Procedure Specification.
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(7) It is not acceptable for field welding.

(8) Run on and run off plates, shall be of the same material as the base material on all
longitudinal welds.

(9) The wire-flux combinations used for production welds, shall be the same as used in the
Procedure Qualification Record (PQR).

(10) It is not acceptable for welding of nozzles on pressure equipment.

(11) If this process is used for field welding, suitable precautions shall be taken to shelter the
welding area from wind, or air flows that can compromise the efficiency of shielding gas.

(12) This welding process is not permitted for execution of welds on carbon or alloy steel
components, submitted to pressure or vibrations.

(13) The single runs, carried out with automatic standard processes, shall not deposit more
than 6,35 mm.

(14) For Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) welding, basic electrodes shall be special
type at low hydrogen absorption (4 ml H2 / 100 g) with certificate according to ASME Code
Section II Part C - SFA-5.01, lot classification “C4” or “S3”, with inspection / testing level
“I”.

(15) For Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) welding, the joint filling shall be carried
out using electrodes with 2,5 mm or 3,25 mm diameter.
The use of electrodes with larger diameter than that one required shall be previously
agreed with TECHINT.

(16) This welding process is not permitted for Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22)
welding.

(17) For Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) welding, the use of this process is
accepted for the execution of filling runs of butt joints and for fillet joints of piping
components positioned with rolling horizontal axis and only for diameters larger than or
equal to 150 mm and thicknesses larger than 5 mm.
Multipass technique shall be used (at stretched beads).
The use of this process shall be previously approved by TECHINT.

(18) For Cr low alloy steels (Grade 11 and Grade 22) welding, the welding filler materials shall
be supplied with certificate according to ASME Code Section II Part C - SFA-5.01, lot
classification “C4” or “S3”, inspection / testing level “I”.

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10.0 TITANIUM

10.1. Preparation of welding edges

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10.1.1. The preparation of welding edges shall be carried out by milling.

10.1.2. The shears cut can only be used as roughing out cut and edges shall than
be submitted to machine tool working (milling).

10.1.3. Cut oils, greases or emulsions containing sulphur or halogens, are not
permitted.
The recommended cooling liquids are :
- 5% solution of sodium nitride (Na3N) in water;
- 5% to 10% solution of soluble oil in water.

10.1.4. All tools shall be carefully cleaned before their use and shall be employed
for titanium and its alloys only.

10.2. Preparation of surfaces interested by welding

10.2.1. The area concerning fusion and contiguous surfaces to edges (25 mm
minimum on both sides) that will be interested by welding, as fused or
however heated at a temperature over 300°C, shall be always prepared as
required in the following points.

10.2.2. Cleaning shall be made using austenitic stainless steel or titanium brushes,
in order to remove scales, paints, trapped dirt, silvery metal, abrasives, dust
and any foreign substances that could react with titanium surfaces.
The use of steel wool, glass paper or coated ceramic paper, is not
permitted.

10.2.3. Any contamination from atmosphere, where forming operations have

previously taken place, shall be removed.

10.2.4. In presence of a thin oxide layer, this one shall be removed by pickling (see
paragraph 10.3).
If the oxide layer is thicker, as the one that is formed at temperatures over
600°C, this shall be removed by sandblasting or mechanical work followed
by pickling (see paragraph 10 .3).

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10.2.5. Surfaces submitted to pickling shall anyway be rekindled by filing with fine
file before the washing with solvents (ethyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl
ketone, etc.), that shall be carried out immediately before welding.
Use of chlorinated, sulphide and sulphur-chlorinated solvents is not
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permitted for cleaning.

Use of trichloroethylene, methyl chloroform and perchlorethylene is not
permitted.
Use of methyl alcohol as detergent is not permitted.

10.2.6. Use of textile fabrics with naps, wool or cloths is not permitted.

10.2.7. After cleaning, the welding joint shall be kept fully free from contaminations,
including fingerprints, until the welding begin.

10.3. Pickling

10.3.1. Pickling shall be made with a solution of :

- nitric acid (HNO3): 30÷40%
- hydrofluoric acid (HF): 4÷5%
- water: complement
- temperature: room
- time: 2÷20 minutes (depending from incrustation
thickness).

10.3.2. The nitric acid content shall be anyway maintained over 20% to minimize
the absorption of hydrogen and the consequent embrittlement (brittleness
by pickling or by hydrogen).

10.3.3. After pickling a washing with alcohol or warm water (with chloride content
not over 100 ppm) shall be carried out, followed by a careful drying to avoid
water evaporation.

10.4. Protection from contamination during welding

10.4.1 General
During welding the fused zone and each contiguous area, on welding and
back sides, that can reach the temperature of 300°C, shall be protected
against the contamination of atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen and
hydrogen).
This protection shall be provided by an inert gas atmosphere (argon or
helium), or by the execution of the under vacuum welding at a pressure not
larger than 10-5 bar absolutes.

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10.4.2. Protection in inert gas atmosphere

10.4.2.1. In case of protection of inert gas atmosphere, 99,99% argon or

helium shall be used.
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Gas mixtures are acceptable (70% argon, 30% helium).

The dew point of these gases shall not be over -51°C.

10.4.2.2. Gas distributors, headers, valves, regulators, flow meters, flexible

hoses, piping, torches and other connected devices, shall be
cleaned, without leakages and free from humidity.
System shall maintain the gas dew point to the torch not over
-45°C.
When handling shield gas, no other humidity absorption material
shall be used.
Inert gas shall be diffused without turbulence to avoid air mixing
into the inner gas.

10.4.2.3. In order to provide that an environment is free of contaminating

gases, whenever it is not completely emptied before (under
vacuum) and then filled with inert gas, a washing (or refill) with
inert gas shall be carried out, after having flow in a gas volume
corresponding to at least 15 times the volume of the environment
itself.

10.5. Welding runs, cleaning and repairs

If welding bead shows a bright silver coloring (absence of contamination), cleaning
shall not be carried out.
If the colour is slightly gold or bright blue (slight contamination or bigger oxidation), a
brushing of the interested area, with austenitic stainless steel or titanium brushes,
shall be carried out.
Opaque coloring mean unacceptable contamination.
The appearing of gold or blue colour during welding imposes the stop of the welding
process, the correction of the shield system and the removal of the contaminated
runs.
Interpass temperatures shall be maintained under 175°C.

10.6. Welding

10.6.1. The acceptable welding processes for welding titanium and its alloys are :
- TIG (GTAW) [process 141];
- plasma (PAW) [process 15];
- electron beam (EBW) [process 51];
- laser (LBW) [process 52].

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10.6.2. Particular requirements

a. In TIG welding processes [process 141] the preparation of welding

edges shall be carried out according to the requirements of the
following table :
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Thickness (mm) Preparation

0,25 ÷ 2

2÷6

6 ÷ 10

> 10

b. A device for direct current welding shall be used.

The energy source shall have the following characteristics :
- carry out / keep the current within narrow limits;
- have a high frequency superimposed circuit to facilitate arc
ignition;
- have the electrode in thorium tungsten (diameter 1,5 mm).

c. In case whichever contact occurs between the tungsten electrode and

the filler material wire inside the welding arc, the welding process
shall be immediately stopped, the tungsten electrode shall be
changed or repaired and the contaminated area shall be removed.

10.7. Filler materials

10.7.1. Preservation wire coils shall be particularly careful, in dry environment,

protected from any possible contamination by an industrial environment.

10.7.2. Rods of welding filler material shall be conforms to the requirements of

ASME Code Section II Part C paragraph SFA-5.16 “Specifications for
titanium and titanium-alloy welding electrodes and rods”.

10.7.3. For non-automatic welding processes and for butt welds up to 4,5 mm
thickness, wires with diameter up to 1,6 mm shall be used.
Over 4,5 mm thickness, 2,4 mm, 3,2 mm and 4 mm diameter wires can be
used.

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10.7.4. For GTAW automatic welding process [process 141], wires with diameter
0,8 mm, 1,1 mm and 1,6 mm shall be used.

10.8. Preheating
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In butt weld joints, the temperature of base material shall always be maintained over
16°C.
Root run and intermediate runs, shall have a temperature lower than 150°C before
starting the subsequent run.

10.9. Welding quality

When components show welding intersections carried out using different processes,
welding with electron beam process on components already welded under gas
shield is not permitted.
It is possible to weld, with gas shield processes, welding intersections carried out
with electron beam welding process.

10.10. Welding procedure qualifications

10.10.1. Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) shall be prepared as required by

the ASME Code Section IX.

10.10.2. Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) shall include :

- the detailed drawing of welding joint;
- the number of runs;
- the details of protection devices;
- the type and size of torch nozzles;
- the slipper drawing;
- the closed chambers;
- other suitable information.

10.10.3. Procedure Qualification Reports (PQR) shall be carried out with the same
materials used in production (base material, welding filler material, shield
gas, etc.).

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