Good day,

The following gives a brief definition and highlights the differences between a Welding
Procedure Specification (WPS) and a Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ). The Welding
Procedure Specification (WPS) provides direction to the welder or welding operators for making
sound and quality production welds as per the requirements of specified codes and/or standards,
in case we are utilizing BS EN ISO Standards and AWS D1.1 code for the qualification of the WPS
and WPQ. The purpose of the WPS is to guide welders to the accepted procedures so that
repeatable and trusted welding techniques are used. A WPS is developed for each material alloy
and for each welding type used. Specific codes and/or engineering societies are often the driving
force behind the development of a company's WPS. A WPS will provide in detail the required
welding variables for specific application to assure repeatability by properly trained welders.
These variables includes but not limited to:- Base Metal, Welding Process, Welding Amperage, Arc
Voltage, Travel Speed, Joint Design, Preheat Temperature, Electrodes, Thickness of material, etc.
The WPS will also give ranges of the above variables (where applicable)to use as a
guideline when making production welds for the welder or welding operator to stay within the
limits of the qualified WPS.
A WPS is supported by a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR). A PQR is a record of the
actual values taken and recorded during a test weld performed and tested mechanically by a
certified laboratory to ensure that the procedure will produce a good sound weld.
According BS EN ISO Standards the required testing specified for the WPS in question
to be qualified includes:- Visual testing, Radiographic examination, Surface crack detection
(Magnet particle testing/liquid penetrant testing), Tensile testing, Bend testing, Impact testing,
Hardness testing and Macroscopic examination.
After the WPS is qualified, Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) will be conducted
and documented, this is to demonstrate that the welder has the necessary skill to produce a
satisfactory weld under the conditions used in production as detailed in the approved WPS.
Testing according to BS EN ISO Standards for welder qualification includes:-Visual testing,
Radiographic testing and Bend testing.
After a welder successfully completes and passes his /her welding test he/she would be
issued a Welder Performance Qualification Record (WPQR) or welders cert.
Keep in mind after a WPS is qualified it will be valid indefinitely, but the WPQR will
expire if a welder has not performed welding of the specific process for more than a 6 month
duration/period (the company need to keep record/ continuity of their welders to avoid
expiration), but he/she can be re-qualified/re-tested under the provisions of the previously
qualified WPS.