The Answer Is Winter 2007:Layout 1
12/20/06
3:16 PM
Page 26
the
answer is...
The Society is not responsible for any statement made or opinion expressed herein. Data and information developed by the authors
are for specific informational purposes only and are not intended for use without independent, substantiating investigation on the
part of potential users.
ANSWERED BY
KENNETH ERICKSON & KIP MANKENBERG
Q: We are evaluating the specification for an upcoming project; we
plan to bid it and so, of course, are
tr ying to determine our costs. The
spec states that in certain situations
the contractor may propose for
approval by the client a temper bead
welding technique. I have heard
about temper bead welding, but I
don’t really know anything about it.
Can you tell me what it is and what
is its purpose?
A: “Temper bead welding” is a term that
can describe a fairly broad range of applications and specific techniques. For
instance, in certain cases it has been
accepted for use in the repair of pressure
vessel welds in lieu of performing postweld heat treatment after the repair
welding, and it has been used in highly
fatigue-sensitive structural steel applications for the purpose of decreasing
fatigue sensitivity at the toe of the weld.
The basic technique involves precise
heat input control and bead placement. If
performed properly, it has the effect of
refining coarse grain structure in the
heat-affected zone (HAZ), and thereby of
reducing the hardness and improving
the fracture toughness in the HAZ. So, in
a sense, it has the effect of “tempering”
the HAZ.
This is a simplified description, and in
practice, temper bead welding requires
techniques designed for the specific
application and superbly skilled welders.
We strongly recommend that you
employ the services of a well-qualified
welding engineer who has experience
with the development and implementation of temper bead techniques.
to us by a European company that
we are considering as a subcontractor. The problem is, some of the terminology is not familiar to me. For
instance, in one of the WPSs, the
welding process is listed as “136”
and the position is listed as “PF.”
Can you tell me where to find the
definitions of these terms?
A: Most likely the governing standard
used when qualifying the procedure
(probably one of the ISO 15614 documents, depending upon material) is listed on the WPS itself. In this standard
you’ll find referenced ISO 4063 and ISO
6947, which provide the nomenclature
and definitions for welding processes
and positions.
For instance, following are some of
the common welding processes:
SMAW — 112
SAW (single wire) — 121
Q: I work for an American company,
and I have been asked to review
some welding procedures submitted
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26 • INSPECTION TRENDS
The Answer Is Winter 2007:Layout 1
12/20/06
GMAW — 13
FCAW — 136
Note that there are additional subdivisions in many cases. Some of the main
welding positions are
Flat — PA
Horizontal — PB, PC, or PD
Vertical — PF (up) or PG (down)
Overhead — PE.
Q: What is your opinion on fabricators welding the identification marking on a spool or support section and
also when welders weld their symbol
next to a weld?
A: Any CWI who is in this industry long
enough will run across this scenario.
When researching this condition, there
is very little information that is directly
related within the AWS library of codes,
standards, handbooks, and general welding literature. In regard to spool and/or
support identification, this practice
somewhat leans toward material inspection and not so much to welding inspection. This differs from when a welder is
actually identifying his completed welds
by welding his weld symbol next to each
weld.
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Spool sections, support assemblies,
etc., can range from a single tubular
member to a complex geometrical shape
consisting of numerous components,
members, connections, etc. Final identification and marking can range from using
marking pens to name plates or tags
attached by welding. The important consideration is that whatever marking system is used, specific information within
the contract documents should detail out
exact considerations for location, size,
and content of information required.
Identification by means of welding
should fall under the provisions of a qualified welding procedure, and inspected
and documented under the terms and
conditions of the governing contract and
applicable welding standard. There are
many options to choose from when identifying parts and assemblies, keeping in
mind that complete traceability may be
required from material receipt to final
assembly and shipping.
We are bothered and confused by
companies and welders who utilize the
practice of welding their symbol next to
completed welds. There are numerous
other means that can be used to accomplish this same task without incorporat-
ing possible negative ramifications and
additional inspection time. Low-stress
stamping, indelible marking pens, vibroetching, etc., are just a few of the better
options welders can select to identify
their welds. As with materials, the terms
associated with weld identification when
required shall be stated within the contract documents. The CWI may also be
required to document each welder’s symbol applicable for every welded connection completed, including repair welds.
In accordance with AWS D1.1,
Structural Welding Code — Steel, any
unspecified welding performed and
added without the approval of the project
engineer needs to be documented and
reported. Both of these practices can be
considered unspecified welding.
Q: What is meant by the term
“TGW”?
A: Our guess is that the author meant
GTAW for gas tungsten arc welding,
although TGW is either a misprint or an
in-house term used specifically by a particular company. Check with the company or drawing engineer to clarify this
abbreviation.❖
Inspection Trends encourages question and answer submissions. Please mail to the editor ([email protected]).
KENNETH ERICKSON is manager of quality at National Inspection & Consultants, Inc., Ft. Myers, Fla. He is an AWS Senior
Certified Welding Inspector, an ASNT National NDT Level III Inspector in four methods, and provides expert witness review and
analysis for legal considerations.
CLIFFORD (KIP) MANKENBERG is a welding engineer/NDT Level III for Oldenburg Group, Inc., Rhinelander, Wis. He is an AWS
Senior Certified Welding Inspector and an ASNT National NDT Level III Inspector in five methods.
news bulletins
— continued from page 6
development and sales director. CONAM is a division of MHG
Services, a division of the MISTRAS Holding Group.
Sweet has been involved in the NDE and inspection services
industry for 32 years. He is returning to CONAM after a six-year
absence; he previously worked for the company from 1994 to
2000.
LMI Develops New Web Site and Identity
LMI Technologies, Inc., Delta, B.C., Canada, along with its
DynaVision and Selcom divisions, has introduced a new
“Sensors that See” global identity and logo. The company has
also redesigned its Web site and changed the domain name to
www.sensorsthatsee.com.
LMI operates as a research, development, engineering, and
manufacturing group producing true-color 2-D and 3-D vision
sensor products for original equipment manufacturers and system integrators.
Laser Design Expands Seattle Office
Laser Design, Inc., a manufacturer of 3-D laser scanning systems based in Minneapolis, recently expanded its Seattle, Wash.,
technology office. The Seattle office is responsible for laser
probe manufacturing, research and development, software engineering, and worldwide customer support.
The company recently moved into a larger office in the
Fremont area of Seattle and installed several of its high-end scanning systems and an array of specialized test equipment there.
The company eventually hopes to provide contract laser scanning services in Seattle.❖
WINTER 2007 • 27