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AWS D1.6 (Structural Welding Code-Stainless Steel)
Quick Review on Performance Qualification
(References: AWS D1.6, Section 4 (Part B), Table 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7)
1-Guide (Limitation of Variables) General Requirements:
AWS D1.6, 4.7.5, Base Metal: Qualification on any one of materials,
as shown in clause 1.2, shall be considered as qualification to weld any
material permitted in this code. With the approval of the engineer,
performance qualification test coupon may be with any of Group I or
II of AWS D1.1. Qualification with any one of those materials shall be
considered as qualification to weld any material permitted in this code.
AWS D1.6, 4.7.12, Tack Welding: This code does not recognize tack
welders. Tack welding shall be done by qualified welders or operators.
Essential Variables: Process, Position, Vertical progression,
Omission of backing material (if used on the test).
2-Guide (Thickness of Base Metal Range)
AWS D1.6, Table 4.3:
Test on Plate or Pipe, Groove Welds*:
T: Thk. of Test Coupon; t: Thk. of Qualified Deposited Weld
T up to 3/8 in. (10 mm), incl.:
Qualified Thickness Range: 1/16 in. (2 mm) Min., 2t Max.
T over 3/8 in. (10 mm) to less than 3/4 in. (20 mm):
Qualified Thickness Range: 1/8 in. (3 mm) Min., 2t Max.
T from 3/4 in. (20 mm) and over:
Qualified Thickness Range: 1/8 in. (3 mm) Min., Maximum to be welded
*Groove qualifies fillet welds within limitation of Table 4.3 and 4.4
(See AWS D1.6, Table 4.3 for Test Figures)
Small Pipe Diameter Fillet-Weld Test*:
OD of Test Coupon in. (mm)
OD-Qualified in. (mm)
Less than 1 (25)
Max. size welded
1 (25) to less than 2-7/8 (73)
1 (25) and over
2-7/8 (73) and over
2-7/8 (73) and over
2-7/8 in. (73 mm) OD=NPS 2-1/2 (65)
*Qualified Thickness limited to minimum WPS limits to unlimited.
(See AWS D1.6, Table 4.3 for Test Figures)
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AWS D1.6 (Structural Welding Code-Stainless Steel)
3-Guide (Position)
(I) AWS D1.6, Table 4.4, Groove* (Plate and Pipe)
Position Tested
Position Qualified
Plate or Pipe
(A)
(B)
(C)
1G
F
F
F
1G Rotated
F
F
F, H
2G
F, H
F, H
F, H
3G
F, V
F
F, H, V
4G
F, O
F
F, H, O
5G
F, V, O
F, V, O
All
6G
All
All
All
(A) Groove, Plate and Pipe Over 24 in. (600 mm) OD
(B) Groove, Pipe 2-7/8 in. (73 mm) to 24 in. (600 mm) OD, incl.
(C) Fillet, Plate and Pipe 2-7/8 in. (73 mm) [NPS 2-1/2] and over
Groove* Test on Smaller Pipe Diameter:
Outside Diameter
OD-Qualified
OD of Test Coupon in. (mm)
Groove in. (mm)
Less than 1 (25)
Size welded and over
1 (25) through 2-7/8 (73)
1 (25) and over
Over 2-7/8 (73)
2-7/8 (73) and over
2-7/8 in. (73 mm) OD=NPS 2-1/2 (65)
* Groove qualifies fillet welds on all diameters for pipe-fillet
* Vertical uphill to downhill or vice versa is essential variable

(II) AWS D1.6, Table 4.4, Fillet (Plate and Pipe)

Position Tested
Position Qualified
Plate or Pipe*
Fillet
1F, 1F Rotated
F
2F, 2FR
F, H
3F
F, H, V
4F
F, H, O
5F
All
* Pipe 2-7/8 in. (73 mm) OD (NPS 2-1/2) and over
* Vertical uphill to downhill or vice versa is essential variable
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AWS D1.6 (Structural Welding Code-Stainless Steel)
Quick Review on Essential Variables
1-Guide (Position)
AWS D1.6, Table 4.1: In vertical welding, a change in the
progression specified for any pass from uphill to downhill or
vice versa is essential variable.
AWS D1.6, 4.1.7: CJP groove weld qualification in any test
position qualifies for all positions.
AWS D1.6, 4.1.8: PJP groove weld qualification in any test
position qualifies for all positions.
2-Guide (Thickness of Base Metal Range)
AWS D1.6, Table 4.2:
Test on Plate or Pipe, CJP or PJP Groove Welds*:
T: Thickness of Test Coupon Welded
(Test Plate or Pipe Wall)
T from 1/16 in. (2 mm) to 3/8 in. (10 mm), incl.:
Qualified Thickness Range: 1/16 in. (2 mm) Min., 2T Max.
T over 3/8 in. (10 mm) to less than 3/4 in. (20 mm):
Qualified Thickness Range: 3/16 in. (5 mm) Min., 2T Max.
T from 3/4 in. (20 mm) and over:
Qualified Thickness Range: 3/16 in. (5 mm) Min., Unlimited
* AWS D1.6, 4.1.7: CJP qualified on pipe shall also qualify
for plate and vice versa. Qualification of a CJP qualifies for
all PJP groove welds, plug and slot, and fillet welds.
* AWS D1.6, 4.1.8: PJP qualified on pipe shall also qualify
for plate and vice versa. Qualification of a PJP qualifies for all
PJP groove welds, plug and slot welds, and fillet welds.
Fillet Weld WPS Qualification (Qualify all Plate/Pipe
Thickness): Test shall be based on Max. single pass and Min.
multiple pass fillet weld size to be used in construction
(See AWS D1.6, Table 4.2).
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AWS D1.6 (Structural Welding Code-Stainless Steel)

3-Guide (Base Metal Selection)
AWS D1.6, Table 4.1 WPS Qualification Variables
-A change in the base metal group shown in Table 3.2 or use of
any unlisted metal (Table 3.2) is essential variable.
4-Guide (Filler Metal Selection)
AWS D1.6, Table 4.1 WPS Qualification Variables
-A change of Filler metal from one F-Number to any other FNumber (Table 4.5) is essential variable.
-A change of Filler metal from one A-Number to any other ANumber (Table 4.6) is essential variables.
See AWS D1.6, Table 4.1 for more Essential Variables

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