SECTION IX

QW 423 – Turn to Page 131

Alternate Base Materials for Welder
Qualification
Versus
Base Metal Qualified
 QW-423 Alternate Base Metals for
Welder Qualification

Base metals used for welder qualification may be

substituted for the metal specified in the WPS in
accordance with the following in-text table.

When a base metal in the left column is used

for welder qualification, the welder is qualified
to weld all combinations of base metals in the
right column. Including unassigned metals of
similar composition to these metals.
Base Metal (s) Used for Base Metal (s) for
Welder Qualification which the Welder is Qualified

P-No. 1 through P-No. 11, P- P-No. 1 through P-No. 11, P-

No. 34, or P-No. 41 through No. 34, or P-No. 41 through
P-No. 47 P-No. 47

P-No. 21 through P-No. 25 P-No. 21 through P-No. 25

P-No. 51 through P-No. 53 or P- P-No. 51 through P-No. 53 or P-

No. 61 through P-No. 62 No. 61 through P-No. 62
 QW-423 Alternate Base Metals for
Welder Qualification

So, all we need to do is qualify a welder to

weld any P-No. from the list and he can
weld all of the others. This would be great!
There is however a problem with this
theory. Welders are also limited by the
Filler Metal Number (F-No.) used during a
test.
If a welder qualifies on any P number from P
1 through P 11, P 34 or P 41 through P47
he/she is qualified to weld any of those
metals together. Be warned this is further
limited by the F-number (s)!
If a welder qualifies on P 21 to P 25 he/she is
qualified to weld any of these metals together
or any combination of these aluminum alloys
together!
If a welder qualifies on P 51 to P 53 or P 61 to 62
he/she is qualified to weld any of these metals
together or in any combination of Titanium or
Zirconium alloy!
In theory a welder could be qualified for all the listed
base materials by welding just three (3) coupons.
Remember our lesson on Filler Metal Numbers (F-
Numbers). This is where the welders limitations
become very important.

One of the essential variables for a welder is the F-

Number of the electrode he qualifies with during a
given test.
Suppose a welder qualifies with SMAW using an F-
No.4 electrode the test coupon is a P-No.1 base
material.

The welder has qualified to weld P No. 1 to 11, 34

or 41 through 47. So let’s have him weld one of the
nickels, a P-No.41. Assume it will be required to
make the weld with a filler metal that is designated
as a F-No.41 in Section IX. There is a problem ,
he has not qualified any of those metals with a F-
No.41 filler metal. He would have to prove his skill
with the F-No.41 filler metal.
He is qualified for SMAW using a F-No.4 electrode
not F-No.41. The welder will have to test again on
any of those metals using a SMAW electrode
designated as a F-No.41, why because the F-
Numbers 4 and 41 are considered to require
different skill levels to weld. The F-Number is a
welders essential variable as well as a
procedures.

Welders are limited by all of the following essential

variables (skill issues), which are in Section IX
for the welding processes listed on page 52.
 QW-353
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding (SMAW)
Essential Variables
Paragraph Brief of Variables
QW 402 .4 Deletion of Backing
Joints
QW 403 .16 Change Pipe Diameter
Base Metals .18 Change in P Number
QW 404
Filler Metals .15 Change in F Number
.30 Change in weld metal t deposited
QW 405 .1 Addition of a position
Positions .3 Change from vertical Up to Down
or Down to UP progression
Simply put the welder must qualify all of his/her
essential variables, not just be qualified to weld a
particular P Number. In our example he/she is
disqualified for the nickel alloy weld because of the
required F -Number qualification being F-No.41 as
listed on the WPS/PQR.
A welder is limited by, process, pipe diameter, P-
Number, F- Number, weld metal thickness,
position, backing and progression.

All of these Essential Variables must meet the

requirements of the WPS to be used in the
production weld.