Plug weld procedure qualification

Date 10-16-2008 21:45

Hello,
I have a weld map which shows 1" deep plug welds. The vendor changed the welding symbol from a plug weld to a fillet welds since he claims that the plug weld was done with a fillet weld fill procedure (I don't know what this means).

My questions are: Are plug welds considered to be full penetration welds or fillet welds? If the plug weld is 1" deep, do I need a weld procedure qualified for 1"? If it is a fillet weld, then weld metal and base material thickness are not applicable (as per ASME IX), correct?

The vendor has a weld procedure qualified to maximum 3/4" and is trying to use this procedure for the plug welds. I appreciate any help anyone can provide! Thank you very much.

By hogan

Date 10-16-2008 22:12

There is a post with a good method of plug welding. weldeng13 give a good reference for making a plug weld. I do not believe that a plug falls into the groove weld or fillet weld category, It can be either a complete or partial penetration weld.

By swsweld (****)

Date 10-19-2008 19:36

troilite, AWS D1.1 2006
4.29 Plug Weld and Slot Welds for Tubular and Nontubular Connections

Qualification for CJP groove welds ...shall qualify for all plug and slot welds.

Table 4.10 note b Groove weld qualifications shall also qualify plug and slot welds for the test positions indicated.

I don't think a fillet weld procedure or symbol is appropriate.

Table 4.11 Plug (Fig. 38) ( 3/8" test plate) Qualified Dimensions (Nominal Plate, Pipe or Tube Thickness Qualified)= Unlimited thickness
For Groove weld operator qualification it is 2T of test plate.

Table 4.2 WPS Qualification-CJP Groove Welds- Test on plate 3/8"<T<1" is 2T max thickness.

My answer is 1.) plug welds are considered CJP, 2.)Your minimum WPS plate thickness should be 1/2" thk. 3.) The symbol should be plug weld not fillet weld.

You mention ASME IX, aren't you using D1.1?

By troilite (*)

Date 10-20-2008 16:09

Thank you swsweld and hogan for your replies.

This is for ASME piping, not AWS D1.1. Sorry, I should have made that more clear in my posting. The AWS code is more clear regarding plug welds than ASME IX. I was wondering how plug welds are classified as per ASME IX.

Thanks!