Question 1

A welder qualifies with a backing plate. Is this welder qualified to weld joints WITHOUT backing?

Accepted Answer

Qualifying with backing qualifies only for backing (and backgouged) joints. Welding open roots (without backing) requires a specific qualification test without backing.

Question 2

The '6G' pipe welding position is:

Accepted Answer

6G is the fixed position with the pipe axis inclined at 45 degrees. It covers all positions (Flat, Vertical, Overhead) in one test.

Question 3

In a guided bend test for welder qualification, a corner crack of 1/4 inch is:

Accepted Answer

Generally, open defects > 1/8 inch are rejectable. Corner cracks > 1/4 inch are rejectable regardless of inclusions.

Question 4

A Tack Welder qualification is valid for:

Accepted Answer

A tack welder qualification allows the individual to perform tack welds only, not final production welds.

Question 5

Radiography can be used in lieu of mechanical testing for welder qualification for which processes?

Accepted Answer

D1.1 allows RT for welder qual for SMAW, SAW, FCAW, and GMAW (except Short Circuit). GMAW-S requires bend tests to detect lack of fusion.

Question 6

To qualify for all positions on plate, a welder typically tests in:

Accepted Answer

Testing in 3G (Vertical) and 4G (Overhead) qualifies the welder for all positions (Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead) on plate.

Question 7

The visual acceptance criteria for a welder qualification test weld are:

Accepted Answer

Clause 4 has specific visual criteria for test welds (e.g., max reinforcement 1/8", no cracks, undercut limitations).

Question 8

If a welder fails a qualification test, an immediate retest:

Accepted Answer

Immediate retest requires two consecutive test welds for each position/type failed. Both must pass.

Question 9

Changing the F-Number of the electrode (e.g., F3 to F4):

Accepted Answer

F-Numbers represent electrode usability. A change (especially to a higher F-number) usually requires requalification. (Note: Qualifying with F4 covers F1-F4, but qualifying with F3 does NOT cover F4).

Question 10

A welder qualified on pipe is automatically qualified on plate?

Accepted Answer

Pipe qualification (e.g., 6G) qualifies for plate in all positions (Vertical, Overhead, etc.), as pipe is considered more difficult.

Question 11

Welder performance qualification (WPQ) primarily establishes that a welder:

Accepted Answer

A welder qualification test demonstrates the welder's ABILITY to produce sound welds to a procedure. It does not qualify the procedure itself.

Question 12

Passing a welder qualification test qualifies:

Accepted Answer

Welder qualification and procedure qualification are separate. Passing the performance test qualifies the individual welder; the WPS is qualified through its own PQR.

Question 13

A welder who passes ONLY the 1G (flat) plate groove test is qualified to weld grooves in:

Accepted Answer

The 1G test qualifies only the flat position. Broader position coverage requires testing in more difficult positions such as 3G and 4G.

Question 14

A welder qualified in the 5G position on pipe is qualified to weld in which positions?

Accepted Answer

5G is a pipe test with the axis horizontal and fixed, so the welder deposits weld metal flat, vertical, and overhead as they progress around the joint — qualifying those positions.

Question 15

The thickness of a welder's test coupon determines:

Accepted Answer

A welder qualified on a given coupon thickness is qualified for a RANGE of production thicknesses defined by the code, not just the exact thickness tested.

Question 16

Welder qualification is process-specific. A welder qualified in SMAW is:

Accepted Answer

Each welding process must be qualified separately. Qualifying in SMAW does not confer qualification in GMAW, GTAW, or other processes.

Question 17

A welder's qualification for a given process remains in effect as long as:

Accepted Answer

Under AWS D1.1, a welder's qualification stays valid while the process is used, and lapses if the welder does not use that process for a period exceeding six months.

Question 18

To re-establish a qualification that has expired, the welder must:

Accepted Answer

An expired welder qualification is re-established by successfully completing a new qualification test for the process in question.

Question 19

Guided-bend specimens from a welder qualification test are evaluated for:

Accepted Answer

After bending, the convex (stretched) surface is examined; open discontinuities larger than the code-permitted size (commonly 1/8 in) cause rejection. Visual inspection must pass first.

Question 20

Electrodes are grouped by F-number so that:

Accepted Answer

F-numbers group electrodes/filler metals by usability characteristics, allowing a single qualification to represent others in the group. Moving to a higher, more difficult F-number requires requalification.

Question 21

A welder qualified to weld WITHOUT backing (open root) is:

Accepted Answer

Welding without backing is the more demanding condition, so qualifying without backing also qualifies the welder to weld with backing. The reverse is not true.

Question 22

The record of a welder's qualification test must be:

Accepted Answer

The employer (contractor/manufacturer) is responsible for documenting and retaining the welder qualification test record, which the inspector may review.

Question 23

Which single test qualifies a welder for the GREATEST range of positions?

Accepted Answer

The 6G test — pipe fixed at a 45° inclined axis — forces the welder through all position aspects at once, so it qualifies a welder for all positions on groove welds.

Question 24

A production welder qualified to a WPS:

Accepted Answer

A fully qualified welder is qualified to tack weld within the scope of that qualification. A limited 'tack welder' qualification exists only for people who make tack welds but are not otherwise qualified.

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