Nanjing,
Adversus solem ne loquitor.
I feel ridiculous disagreeing with you over the BS/EN codes because you have probably forgotten more than I will ever know.
However, you leave me no choice but resort to pedantic bulls#*t.
In my first statement, I made no mention of WPSs and plate, the statement was regarding diameters.
EN 288-3 Table 6 shows a test coupon of under 6" qualifies you from 0.5D to 2 x D / 6" and above qualifies you for 0.5D and above.
So a 2" (60.3 mm OD) coupon will only qualify you for 30 to 120 mm. That means you cannot weld 15 (1/2'), 20 (3/4") or 125 (5") nb pipe with that WPS.
Go down in size to cover the 15 and 20 pipes and you now are too low for the 80 nb (3") and 100 nb (4").
32 nb (1 1/4") will only cover you from 15 nb (1/2") to 65 nb (2 1/2")
There appears to be no way to get full coverage between 1/2" and 6" with one WPS as with ASME IX.
ASME IX has no requirements for diameter so it appears the BS/EN committee is much more stringent.
On the second point you have got my statement on Welder Quals @ss about face, the European code is much more restrictive.
If I weld a P1 coupon GTAW to ASME IX it covers me for Carbon, Chromolly, S/S and Duplex.
If I weld a Group 1,2 or 3 Carbon Steel GTAW to EN 287 Part 1 I am not qualified for Chromolly, S/S or Duplex. Additional tests are required to qualify to these materials.
Again the BS/EN committee appears much more stringent.
The list of differences between the countries / codes are numerous, I just picked a couple to try and clarify my statement.
I cannot give an answer as to why the two American codes differ other than my original statement that it is probably based on past experience / knowledge from the various committee members.
Third point - both the portable magnets with the 12 volt batteries have died, did you purchase them and if so do you remember where you get them from ?
And finally, yes Singapore sounds good, are you thinking of going ?
Cheers,
Shane
By Nanjing
Date 03-16-2009 15:36
Shane, 4th paragraph of your post on the 12th states:
"ASME IX and BS/EN 288 Pt 3 are the American and British / European codes for the qualification of Welding Procedures. If you qualify to piping the diameter of the coupon is an essential variable to BS/EN and a non essential variable to ASME. Does the BS/EN committee know something that the ASME committee doesn't ?"
I replied this is not the case if there is no impact tests or hardness requirements so under EN specifications you can qualify on plate same as ASME.
On welders qualifications you stated:
"ASME IX and BS/EN 287 Pt 1 are the American and British / European codes for Welder Qualification. If you qualify to ASME IX on carbon steel it qualifies you from P1 to P11 inclusive...". I agree but I think the point I was making was there was further restrictions with welding consumables in the American codes eg change from F4 to F5 electrodes or deletion of backing gas for the GTAW process which tightens things up further.
I do understand there are major differences and I do know America and Europe have looked at a way forward in harmonisation of welding standards for obvious mutual benefit and clearly, as you mentioned, differences in welder qualification and procedures are a major problem. We have both arrived at arbitrary figures over the years through experience and it is clear that it would be very difficult for any one of us to give up there way of working and adopt someone else's. However I am sure that everything is based, in the majority, on sound engineering practice.
I think I oredered the magnets from somewhere in the States but I cannot remember where, perhaps purchasing can help.
I got another e-mail from FW today looks like they are desperate for people for Singapore (must be if they are in touch with me!) Not interested at the moment, how about you? Still working on an opportunity to get you out to (Shanghai) Director is an Aussie, can you pass yourself off as one? (you all sound the same to me!).
Anyway, remember well, "Aquila non captat muscas".
NKG