Weld Testing & Qualification
Weld Testing & Welder Qualification Services
Weld testing and welder certification ensure that specific joining procedures yield high-strength, defect-free welds that comply with strict industrial codes and quality standards. Our qualification services provide the certified documentation required to prove that your manufacturing or repair methods fulfill the structural and design requirements of the finished product.
IMR Test Labs employs AWS Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs) across all our U.S. facilities, alongside extensively trained metallurgy experts in our Asian laboratories. Whether you require standard chemical analysis on raw materials (such as solder wire) or a complete, turn-key weld qualification package, we deliver the code-compliant data you need.
The Weld Qualification Workflow
Navigating code compliance requires a strict, multi-step documentation process. Our CWIs guide you through the three essential phases of weld qualification:
1. Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
The WPS is the master instructional blueprint that provides explicit direction to welders on how to execute repeatable production welds to specific code standards. Because different base metals and joint geometries behave uniquely, a dedicated WPS must be developed for each material and process combination. It outlines critical variables including base metal grades, filler metals, shielding gases, and electrical parameters.
2. Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
Before a WPS can be officially put into production, its parameters must be verified. Sample coupons are welded using the specified procedures and then subjected to destructive and non-destructive laboratory testing. The actual parameters used during the test weld and the final physical testing results are documented on the PQR. An approved PQR serves as the empirical proof that a WPS will produce a safe, reliable weld.
3. Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ / WQT)
Once the welding procedure itself is proven, individual welders must be tested to verify their mechanical skill and proficiency. The Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) test confirms that a welder can successfully follow the steps outlined in the WPS and deposit a sound, defect-free weld under real-world conditions.
Our Weld Testing & Inspection Capabilities
Our laboratory utilizes a comprehensive suite of mechanical, chemical, and metallurgical testing methods to quantify weld soundness and evaluate the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ):
- Tensile Testing: Determines the ultimate strength of the welded joint compared directly to the base materials being joined, while frequently exposing hidden internal fusion anomalies.
- Bend Testing: Evaluates the overall ductility and soundness of the weld joint by forcing it around a specified radius to check for surface cracks or fusion openings.
- Impact Testing (Charpy V-Notch): Measures toughness and resistance to brittle fracture. Testing can be performed across a wide temperature spectrum at the centerline of the weld, the fusion line, or within the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ).
- Metallography & Hardness Testing: Examines the microstructural grain boundaries and microhardness gradients across the weld metal and parent material to identify brittle phases or improper heat distribution.
- Specialized Methods: Including Proof Load testing, Chemical Analysis of filler alloys, and Nick-Break testing to evaluate macro-structural integrity.
Accredited Weld Qualification
ABS Rules for Welding Part 2
AMS STD 1595
API RP 582
API Std. 1104
ASME Section IX
AWS C1.1
AWS C1.4
AWS C7.3
AWS C7.4
AWS D1.1/D1.1M
AWS D1.2/D1.2M
AWS D1.3
AWS D1.4
AWS D1.5/D1.5M
AWS D1.6
AWS D1.7
AWS D17.1/D17.1M
CAAS SAR Chapter 6.5 Appendix 1
CGA-3
City of Portland Weld Inspections
EN 25817
EN 287
GE Weld Qualification
ISO 5817
ISO 15614-1
ISO 13919-1
ISO 15614-11
NAVSEA S9074-AQ-G1B-010/248
SAE AMS-W-6858A
WABO Welder Qualifications
Weld Methods Analyzed
- Laser Beam Welding (LBW)
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG)
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Friction Welding (FRW)
- Friction Stir Welding (FSW)
- Flash Welding (FW)
- Resistance Spot Welding (RSW)
- Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)
- Electron Beam Welding (EBW)
- Resistance Seam Welding (RSEW)
- Brazing Evaluations
- Stud Welding
Weld Testing Lab FAQ's
How long does a weld test take?
Turnaround times can vary due to lab test volume, but simple certification tests can often be completed in 2 days. More thorough inspections for certifications can take longer.
What materials are tested in a weld test?
Weld tests can analyze welding materials, including solder wire, solder ribbon, and solder flux.
What are the qualifications of a weld test?
There are over 30 qualifications of a weld test including: ABS Rules for Welding Part 2, AMS STD 1595, API RP 582, API Std. 1104, ASME Section IX, AWS C1.1, AWS C1.4, AWS C7.3, AWS C7.4, AWS D1.1/D1.1M, AWS D1.2/D1.2M, AWS D1.3, AWS D1.4, AWS D1.5/D1.5M, AWS D1.6, AWS D1.7, AWS D17.1/D17.1M, CAAS SAR Chapter 6.5 Appendix 1, CGA-3, City of Portland Weld Inspections, EN 25817, EN 287, GE Weld Qualification, ISO 5817, ISO 15614-1, ISO 13919-1, ISO 15614-11, NAVSEA S9074-AQ-G1B-010/248, SAE AMS-W-6858A, WABO Welder Qualifications
What weld testing documents can IMR certify?
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), Procedure Qualification Record (PQR), Welder Performance Record (WPR) are the documents of weld testing.
