FST&R offers independent, third-party weld testing services for Welder Qualification and Welding Procedure Qualification. Welding procedures are usually developed in accordance with a welding code or standard that requires weld samples be produced, inspected, and tested to establish qualification.

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Scope of Services for Welding Certification

FST&R is a full-service material testing provider with complete in-house resources to turn your order around quickly and reliably. FST&R performs destructive and non-destructive weld testing to verify that a welding procedure and welds produced according to the procedure meet requirements. The requirements are generally stated in standards and specifications, including ISO, API, ASME, ASTM, AWS, EN, AS, GB, NB and the Pressure Equipment Directive.

All required testing services are available to verify that a welding procedure meets requirements for qualification and to certify that a welder can properly produce a weld to specification. Welding coupons and specimens are also prepared onsite in our machine shop. The results of all qualification testing are documented in certified reports.

Welding Procedure Qualification

The welding procedure is reviewed in detail, then testing and inspection is performed on welds produced in accordance with the procedure to verify all requirements are met. Weld coupon testing often includes visual examination, mechanical testing, metallographic examination and nondestructive testing. FST&R may also assist with preparation of Welding Procedure Qualification as per client or project requirements.

Welder Qualification

After confirmation that a welding procedure meets a specified standard, welders may be qualified for the procedure. This involves conducting tests on the weld to ensure it was produced to specification, correct filler material was used and the weld joint is aligned accurately. The welder qualification test is generally required to support welder certification.

Contact FST&R to discuss your requirements for welding procedure qualification or welder qualification services.

Weld Test Methods for Qualifications

Many types of destructive and nondestructive weld testing techniques are performed to verify conformance to specifications during welding qualifications, including these below:

Metallurical Testing

•Macroetch

•Vickers Hardness Testing

•Ferrite Exam –Point Count and Feritscope

Chemical Analysis

Corrosion Testing

Mechanical Testing

•Tensile Testing

•Guided-Bend Tests – Plunger Type and Wrap Around Bends

•Charpy Impact Testing

•Drop Weight Testing

•Nick Break Tests

•Push Out Tests

•Peel Tests

•Section Tests

•Hardness Testing

•Fracture Toughness

Nondestructive Testing

•Visual Examination

•X-ray/Radiographic Inspection

•Magnetic Particle Inspection

•Liquid Penetrant Testing

•Ultrasonic Testing (flat welds)

FST&R’s staff includes chemists, engineers and certified NDT inspectors. The full-service Machine Shop can prepare any size weld coupon, and runs two work shifts to process orders under tight deadlines.

Weld Testing Processes

Macroetch Exam

The macroetch exam is typically performed on a finely ground cross-section taken transverse to the weld axis that has been etched with a chemical reagent to distinguish the weld, heat affected zone (HAZ), and base metal areas. Examination for characteristics such as weld size, fusion, penetration, profile, and weld discontinuities is performed at magnifications anywhere between 1X and 50X. Various ISO, EN, AWS, ASME, military, and customer specifications call for macroetch examination.

Hardness Testing

The weld test for hardness evaluates the strength of the weld and is performed on a ground and etched sample, similar to the macroetch specimen. The most commonly employed scale for weld testing at FST&R is the 10 Kg Vickers. This generally involves checking the hardness in all three zones, including weld , HAZ and base according to a pattern prescribed by the referenced specification. Hardness testing of welds is an extremely common practice and requirement in the oil and gas industry. One of the most commonly encountered specifications being NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, and or a company-specific derivation.

Ferrite Examination

Ferrite examination by the point count method and feritscope are performed to determine the amount of ferrite present in the weld metal, HAZ and/or base metal. The point count test is performed on a polished and etched cross-section of the sample per the point count method described in ASTM E562 or a company-specific derivation. The point count test is typically applied only to welds that involve the duplex stainless steels. Ferrite examination by feritscope is a nondestructive test performed with a contact probe that calculates ferrite via electro-magnetic response. This test is typically applied to welds that involve the austenitic steels.

Chemistry

FST&R’s Chemistry Lab analyzes weld overlays as well as raw materials using various methods that include Carbon-Sulfur Analyzer, Optical Emission Spectroscopy(OES) and Inductively-Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP).

Nondestructive and Mechanical Testing

FST&R offers Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Visual Inspection, Ultrasonic Testing and Radiographic Inspection for nondestructive evaluation. These tests are usually done in conjunction with applicable mechanical testing such as tensile, bend or impact testing according to the same specifications.