Welding codes state that the "certification" of a welder is the responsibility of that welder's employer. When we conduct testing of a plate or pipe for welder certification, we sign the appropriate code form stating that we conducted the testing of the weld to the requirements of the applicable code. The form must then be signed by the employer, certifying that all the information reported on the form is accurate and in accordance with the code.

All of the codes allow an employer to conduct welder tests at their own facility. We offer services to process the required testing and provide the required code documents.

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Most common causes for
​Visual Inspection Failures

We know that having your test coupon fail inspection can be incredibly frustrating, not to mention costly when considering testing fees, materials, and your valuable time. To help guide you to a passing test, we've broken down the most common causes of visual weld inspection failures so you can save time and money on certification!

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UNDERFILL
This type of weld discontinuity (or defect) happens when the weld surface lies below the adjacent base metal surface. When testing for AWS D1.1, your entire test assembly is subject to visual inspection making this discontinuity both top priority and easily spotted

EXCESSIVE REINFORCEMENT
This weld defect happens when too much weld metal is deposited above the surface of the base metal. When testing for AWS D1.1, the maximum allowance for reinforcement is  1/8".

OVERLAP   
This defect happens when your weld metal rolls over the base metal surface without properly fusing to it. When testing for AWS D1.1,  absolutely no overlap is acceptable!

UNDERCUT 
This weld defect occurs when a groove is melted into the base metal along the edge (toes) of the weld but not filled with weld metal. When testing for AWS D1.1    1/32" is the max allowance for undercut.

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**It is very important to have a full understanding of the code you are working to and the acceptance criteria for both testing and production. If you require assistance determining a code or creating a WPS for production, give us a call and our team of welding engineers will give you a hand!**

To conduct a Welding Procedure Qualification, Welder Qualification, or Brazing Qualification at your facility, you must:

​1. Supply your own test coupon material
2. Perform the welding or brazing to code
3. Completely fill out the corresponding form
4. Send completed test coupon and form to us

As the employer is responsible for the information on these documents, providing us with complete and accurate information is very important.

Please send completed test and
​form information* to our testing site:

​Earlbeck Gases & Technologies
8204 Pulaski Highway
​Baltimore, MD 21237

*You may either submit your information using our convenient online form OR print and fill out your form and include it with your test material.

 

​The Send-in Welder Qualification Test Data Sheet asks for several pieces of information.

Each check box and blank space represents an essential variable that greatly influences what the welder is qualified to do. ​When filling out this form, it’s very important to note what code the welder is testing to, what position the piece was welded in (and note vertical progression if applicable), and what process was used.

In addition, the base metal specification and grade, filler metal classification, and the joint type (whether it was welded both sides, with backing, or without backing) are critical.

You may either submit your information using our convenient online form OR print and fill out your form and include it with your test. Be sure to fill out the form completely and accurately to ensure we get you the certification you need. 

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​The Send-in Brazer Qualification Test Data Sheet asks for several pieces of information.

Each check box and blank space represents an essential variable that greatly influences what the brazer is qualified to do. ​

​When filling out this form, it’s very important to note what code the brazer is testing to, what procedure specification name or number, and what process was used.

In addition, information about the the base metal, filler metal, alloys, joint type, brazing position, fuel gas, purge gas are critical to the testing process.  

You may either submit your information using our convenient online form OR print and fill out your form and include it with your test. ​Be sure to fill out the form completely and accurately to ensure we get you the certification you need.

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The Send-in Procedure Test Data Sheet asks for a lot of information but each blank space represents an important variable that can greatly influence what the procedure qualification covers. 

If you have any questions or concerns about how to set up your procedure, feel free to contact us and ask for our engineering department.

Vertical Divider

Before welding the test coupon, there are a few things to consider:

• Welding Code
• Welding Process
• Base Material(s) and Thickness,
• Filler Metal(s)
• Joint Design

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After tacking the plates together, measure and record the root opening and root face of the joint. Before welding and at the start of each pass, measure and record the temperature. Also, record the filler metal used and its diameter for each pass. For constant current processes, record the amperage the machine is set to and the average voltage achieved during each pass. For constant voltage processes, record the voltage setting and the average amperage achieved.

Also during each pass, record the amount of time it takes for the welder to weld a given distance. This is used to calculate travel speed. It is crucial this be done for every pass. What we do when we administer a procedure test at our facility is we record the amount of time it takes for the welder to consume an electrode and then measure the distance he/she travelled. It’s very important this information be recorded for each and every pass. Regardless of whether the procedure being welded has five, fifty, or even 150 passes, every pass needs to be fully recorded.

At the bottom of the page, there’s a box in which the joint geometry with the dimensions listed above is to be drawn. Also, draw in the location of each pass as it’s welded to track the progression of the weld through the joint. This step is exceptionally important on temper bead procedures and procedures requiring post weld stress relief. After welding, read through each item on the data sheet and record the variables used during welding.

​Be sure to fill out the form completely and accurately to ensure we get you the certification you need.