The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) was created to generate a series of codes and standards that manage and guarantee designs intended for the area of construction, testing, and inspection of industrial equipment, including pressure vessels. These codes and standards, therefore, provide a way for a certified company or manufacturer to guarantee its clients that it complies with high-quality standards and controls in the design and execution of its work.
The Aim of ASME Welding Certification
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) grants two types of welding certifications; ASME certifies both the welder and the welder/welding operator. When it comes to the welding certification, the objective is to demonstrate that the manufacturer’s joining process can produce part joints that meet the mechanical properties required for an application. However, we should note that welding certification only applies to the procedure itself and its ability to create a joint with specific mechanical properties; it does not certify the skill of the welder or operator who performs the joining process.
For this reason, the welder or welding operator is certified separately because it is necessary to qualify his process execution, thus showing his ability to produce an efficient weld by using a specific procedure. Next, we will learn about the requirements that a welder must meet to receive the ASME certification. (Aggressive Tube Bending is proud to comply with these international norms and standards.)
ASME Certification for Welders
For a welder to be certified with ASME, he must pass a series of tests in which his skills will be evaluated, thus demonstrating his ability to perform welds that comply with the standards and codes according to the specific procedure or process he is using.
ASME Certification Applicant Assessment
To evaluate the skills of the welder or operator, the following series of tests are the most common:
- Tensile Tests, are used to determine the strength of a groove weld joint.
- Guided Bend Tests, are used to determine the degree of strength and ductility of the groove weld joint.
- Fillet Weld Tests, are used to evaluate the size, contour, and degree of the solidity of fillet welds.
- Impact Resistance Tests, which are used to evaluate the impact resistance of the welded assembly is evaluated.
- Stud Welding Tests, are used to evaluate the acceptability of stud welding.
We should note that each of these tests has its own set of parameters required for the welder to “pass” the test.
Expiration of ASME Welder Certification
A welder or welding operator’s ASME certification can be affected when there is a specific reason to question his ability to perform welds that meet the application specification, and all of his welding qualifications related to a specific process can be revoked.
Also, and more commonly, when the welder or operator has not welded for a period greater than or equal to 6 months, his certifications related to that specific process will expire. This can be avoided if, within the 6 months, the welder meets one of the following conditions:
- The operator has welded (in that specific process) using manual or semi-automatic welding under the supervision and control of the qualifying organization; in this case, they will extend his qualification for an additional 6 months.
- The operator has welded (in that specific process) using a machine or automatic welding under the supervision and control of the organization; in this case, they will extend his qualification for an additional 6 months.
What do you think about this topic? Did you know about these requirements?
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