Information Sheet 1.

5-1
Welding Procedure Specifications (for all welding positions in plate and
pipe)

Welding Procedure Specification

Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) is the formal written document

describing welding procedures, which provides direction to the welder or
welding operators for making sound and quality production welds as per the
code requirements. The purpose of the document 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 is supported by a
Procedure Qualification Record (PQR or WPQR). A PQR is a record of a test
weld performed and tested (more rigorously) to ensure that the procedure
will produce a good weld. Individual welders are certified with a qualification
test documented in a Welder Qualification Test Record (WQTR) that shows
they have the understanding and demonstrated ability to work within the
specified WPS.

Scope
1.1 This welding procedure specification covers welding and related
operations of steel structures fabricated in accordance with the terms
outlined in the following reference standards.
CSA W47.1-1.09
CSA W59-13
Provisions of following AWS standards may also be applied provided relevant
Welding Procedure Data Sheets have been supplied and approved by
Canadian Welding Bureau. However, when the provisions of AWS Standard
and CSA Standard conflict, CSA W47.1-09 Standard takes precedence.

AWS D1.3- (latest edition)

AWS D1.1-2015 (latest edition)

A change in any of the essentials variables described in respective reference

standard on detailed on welding procedure data sheet shall require a new
Welding Procedure Specification and / or Welding Procedure Data Sheet.

1.2 The attached welding procedure data sheets (WPDS) are an essential
part of WPS.

2.0 Welding Procedure

2.1 The welding shall be done manually using Shielded Metal Arc Welding,
SMAW process.

2.2 Joints shall be made following the procedural stipulations indicated in

CSA Standard W59-13

2.3 Joints may also be made following procedural stipulations indicated in

AWS Standard AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.3 and may consist of single and
multi-passes provided Welding Procedure Data Sheets (WPDS) have been
supplied and approved by Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB)

3.0 Base Metal

3.1 The base metal shall conform to the Specification of Steel Groups 1, 2, 3
of Table 12.1 of CSA Standard W59-13. Other groups may be welded
providing Welding Procedure Data Sheets (WPDS) are accepted by CWB.

3.2 Base metal to be welded shall be as per CWB approved Welding

Procedure Datasheet.

4.0 General

4.1 The welder or welding operator, the work, and the welding consumables
shall be adequately protected against the direct effect of wind, rain and
snow, and all necessary mean shall be provided to enable the welder or
welding operator to work in reasonable comfort.

4.2 Welding shall not be done when the ambient temperature is lower than -
18°C (0°F) except with the express consent of the Contractor’s Engineer.

4.3 For pre-qualified joints, maximum electrode size, thickness of layers and
maximum single pass fillet shall be as per Table 10.1 of W59-13.

5.0 Filler Metal

5.1 Electrodes certified by CWB to the requirements of CSA standard W48

shall be used.

5.2 SMAW classification with no diffusible hydrogen designator or a

diffusible hydrogen designator of H16 or less may be used for welding of all
steels in Column 2 of Table 5.3 of W59-13. SMAW classifications with a
diffusible hydrogen designator of H8 or less shall be used for welding of all
steels in Column 3 and 4 of Table 5.3. SMAW classifications with a diffusible
hydrogen designator of H4 shall be used for welding all steels in Column of
Table 5.3. See also Clause 5.5.1.6 of W59-13 for steel in Column 5 of Table
5.3. If notch toughness is a consideration for steels in that column, then
electrodes having appropriate impact properties shall be selected.
5.3 Filler metal shall be compatible with the base metal, as specified in
Table 11.1 and 12.2 of CSA Standard W59-13. Filler metal for exposed,
bare, unpainted applications of CSA G40.21 350A, 350AT, 400A, 400AT and
ASTM A242 and 1588 shall meet requirements of clause 5.2.1.5, 5.2.1.6 and
table 5.1 of CSA

6.0 Storage and Conditioning of electrodes

6.1 Low-hydrogen Electrodes

All low-hydrogen electrodes shall be delivered in sealed containers or

shall be reconditioned in accordance with (a), (b), or (c) below. Electrodes
that have been wet shall be discarded.
(a) Carbon steel electrodes conforming to CSA Standard W488 shall be
baked for at least 2 hours at a temperature between 230°C (450°F)
and 260°C (500°F) before being used.
(b) Low-alloy steel electrodes conforming to CSA Standard W48 shall be
baked for at least 1 hour at a temperature between 370°C (700°F) and
430°C (800°F)
(c) Alternative baking temperatures for low-hydrogen electrodes may be
used if such procedures have been developed and are recommended
by the manufacturer, the use of these alternative procedures shall be
approved by the Engineer.

6.2 Immediately after opening sealed containers or removal from baking

ovens for reconditioning in accordance with above clause 6.1, electrodes
shall be stored in ovens held at a temperature of at least 120°C (250°F).

6.3 Except as noted in clause 6.4 below, low-hydrogen electrodes of the

E49 classification that are not used within 4 hours after removal from
ovens shall be reconditioned in accordance with clause 6.1 above.

6.4 When approved by the contractor’s engineer, auxiliary electrode

containers or dispensers may be used to extend permissible exposure
time in accordance with the following:
(a) The contractor’s engineer shall be satisfied that such electrode
containers or dispensers have been demonstrated to provide adequate
atmospheric sealing protection for the contained electrodes at a
relative humidity of 90% at 30°C (86°F) for the total storage time
proposed for acceptance.
(b) The electrodes so contained shall not produce diffusible hydrogen
levels in weld metal in excess of the requirements of CSA Standard
W48.

Low-hydrogen electrodes of the E49XX (E70XX) classification that are

not used within a maximum of 10 hour total exposure time after being
removed from ovens and stored in approved electrode containers or
dispensers shall be reconditioned in accordance with clause 6.1
above.
(c) The use of alternative exposure times, if recommended by the
electrode manufacturer, may be used if approved by the contractor’s
engineer.
(d) Low-hydrogen electrodes with strength levels higher that the E49
classification that are not used within a time period equal to 50% of
the maximum permissible exposure time for E49 electrodes, as
specified in above clause 6.3 or 6.4, shall be rebaked between 370°C
(700°F) and 430°C (800°F) for 1 hour before they are used.

Shorter periods may be considered under conditions of high atmospheric

humidity and temperature.

Note: When welding quenched and tempered steel, more stringent baking
and exposure time control requirements may be necessary.

6.5 Low-hydrogen electrodes shall be rebake no more than once.

6.6 Non-Low-Hydrogen Electrodes

All non-low-hydrogen electrodes shall be stored in warm and dry

conditions and kept free from oil, grease, and other deleterious matter
once they have been removed from their containers and packages.

6.7 Longer electrode exposure time than those recommended in clause

6.3 and 6.4(d) are permitted if recommended by the electrode
manufacturer.

7.0 Preparation of Base Metal

Surface and edges to be welded shall be smooth, uniform, and free

from fins, cracks, and other defects that would adversely affect the
quality or strength of the weld. Surfaces to be welded shall also be free,
within 50mm (2in) of any weld locations, from loose or thick scale (except
for tightly adhering small islands of scale), slag, loose rust, paint, grease,
moisture, and other foreign material that will prevent welding to the
acceptance criteria of this standard.

Machining, air carbon arc or oxy-fuel gas gouging, chipping, or

grinding may be used for the joint preparation, for back-gouging, or for
the removal of defective work or material, except that oxygen-fuel gouging
shall not be used on quenched and tempered steels.

8.0 Preheat, Interpass Temperature, and Heat Input Control

The preheat and interpass temperature shall be sufficient to prevent

cracking. Preheat and interpass temperature shall be as shown in Table
5.3 of W59-13 (shown table), except when the provisions of Clause 5.7.2
of W59-13 are used.
 Preheat and interpass temperatures above the minimum shown in
Table 5.3 may be used
(a) For highly restrained weld;
(b) For certain combinations of steel thickness and weld energy input
level when the steel composition contains elements such as carbon,
manganese, chromium, and nickel that are at or near the maximum
values permitted by the steel specification:
(c) For high-strength weld metal; and
(d) For joints where transfer of tensile stress occurs in the through-
thickness direction of the material

Note: Experience has shown that the minimum temperatures specified in

Table 5.3 are adequate to prevent cracking in most cases. However,
higher preheat temperature may be used in situations involving high
restraint, higher hydrogen, lower welding heat input, or steel composition
at the top end of the specification. Alternatively, lower preheat
temperature may be adequate to prevent cracks, depending on restraint,
hydrogen level, and actual steel composition or higher welding heat
input, alternatively, minimum preheat and interpass temperatures may
be established on the bases of steel composition, using recogniezed
methods of prediction or guidelines. Details of some of the selected
methods are given in Annex P. These methods are based on laboratory
cracking tests and may predict preheat levels higher than the minimum
levels shown in Table 5.3. Annex P may be of value in identifying
situations where the risk of cracking is increased due to composition,
restraint, hydrogen level or lower welding heat input where higher
preheat may be warranted. Alternatively, Annex P may assist in defining
conditions under which hydrogen cracking is unlikely and where the
minimum requirements of Table 5.3 of W59-13 may be relaxed.

Preheat and Interpass Temperatures fo Quench & Tempered Steels:

For welding of quenched and tempered steels, the steel

manufacturer’s recommendations stating the maximum permissible heat
input, preheat and interpass temperature necessary to achieve proper
welding shall be taking into account. Such considerations must include
the additional heat input produced in simultaneous welding on the two
sides of a common member. For quenched and tempered steel, the
maximum preheat and interpass temperature shall not exceed 200°C
(400°F) for thicknesses up to 40mm (1-1/2in) inclusive and 230°C
(450°F) for greater thickness.

Electrodes of any classification used for welding quenched and

tempered steel shall have been shown to have given a diffusible hydrogen
content not to exceed H4 (4mL of diffusible hydrogen/100 grams of
deposited weld metal) when using measure in accordance with AS A4.3
or ISO 3690; or alternatively, the hydrogen control method in Annex P
may be utilized to determine permissible hydrogen levels depending on
restraint, steel composition, and welding heat input.
 Table 5.3
Minimum preheat and interpass temperature (1,2,3)
Thickness of Welding Process
thickest part SMAW, SMAW, FCAW, MCAW, and SMAW,
at point of FCAW, SAW, using consumables FCAW,
welding, mm MCAW, and with diffusible hydrogen of MCAW, and
(in) SAW, using ≤ H8, GMAW, GTAW SAW, using
consumables consumables
with with
diffusible diffusible
hydrogen hydrogen of
designators of ≤ H4,
≤ H16, or GMAW,
without a GTAW
diffusible
hydrogen
designator or
any non-low
hydrogen
electrode
1 2 3 4 5
API 5L X42 API 5L X52 CSA G40.21 CSA G40.21
CSA G40.21 CSA G40.21 400W 700Q
260W (38W), 260W (38W), (60W), (100Q),
260WT 260WT 400WT 700QT
(38WT), (38WT), (60WT), (100QT)
300W (44W), 300W (44W), 480W
300WT(44WT 300WT(44WT (70W),
) 350W (50W), 480WT
350WT (70WT),
(50WT), 480A (70A),
350A (50A), 480AT
350AT (70AT)
(50AT),
380W (55W),
380WT
(55WT),
400A (60A),
400AT
(60AT)
ASTM ASTM ASTM ASTM
A36, A53 A36, A53 A515 A514
Grade B, Grade B, Grades 60 A517
A106 Grade A106 Grade and 65
B A131 B, A131
Grads A, B, Grade A, B,
CS, D, DS, CS, D, DS,
and E, A139 and E, A131
Grade B, Grades DH
A381 Grade 32 and 36,
Y35, A500 A131 Grades
Grades A, B, EH 32 and
and C, A501 36 A139
Grade B,
A242+, A381
Grade Y35,
A441 A500
Grade A, B,
C, A501,
A515 Grade
55
ASTM ASTM ASTM
A516 Grades A516 Grades A572 Grade
55 and 60 55, 60, 65, 60, 65 A633
A524 Grades and 70, Grade E
I and II, A573 A524 Grades A709 Grade
Grade 58, I and II A HPS70W
A607* Grades 529 Grades A710 Grade
45, 50, A709 50 and 55, A Class
Grade 36, A537 Class 1 2≤50mm
A1008 SS and 2 A572 A852 A913
Grade 30, 33 Grade 42, Grade 60,
Type 1, 40 50, and 55, 65
Type 1, A573 Grade
A1011 SS 65, A588,
Grade 30, 33, A595,
36 Type 1, Grades A, B,
40, 45, 50, C, A606,
55 A607 all
grades ,
A618 Grades
Ib, II, and III,
A633 Grades
A, B, C, and
D, A709
Grade 36, 50
50S, 50W,
and HPS
50W, A710
Grade A
Class 2>
50mm, A710
Grade A
Class 3>
50mm A808
(t<65 mm),
A847, A913
Grade 50
 A992 A1008
HSLAS
Grade 45
Class 1 and
2 Grade 50
Class 1 and
2, Grade 55
Class 1 and
2, A1008 SS
Grades 30,
33 Type 1,
40 Type 1,
A1008
HSLAS-F
Grade 50
ASTM ASTM
A1011 A1018
HSLAS HSLAS
Grade 45 Grade 60
Class 1 and Class 2
2 Grade 50 Grade 70
Class 1 and Class 2
2, Grade 55 A1018
Class 1 and HSLAS-F
2 A1011 SS Grade 60
Grade 30, Class 2
33, 36 Type Grade 70
1, 40, 45, Class 2
50, 55,
A1011
HSLAS-F
Grade 50
A10118
HSLAS,
Grade 45
Class 1 and
2, Grade 50
Class 1 and
2 Grade 55
Class 1 and
2 A1018
HSLAS-F
Grade 50,
A1018SS
Grades 30,
33, 36, and
40
Over 20 mm 65°C (150°F) 10°C (50°F) 65°C (150°F) 50°C(125°F)
(3/4”) to 40
 mm (1.5”)
Over 40 mm 110°C (225°F) 65°C (150°F) 110°C 80°C(175°F)
(1.5”) to 60 (225°F)
mm (2.5”)
Over 60 mm 150°C (300°F) 110°C 150°C 110°C
(2.5”) (225°F) (300°F) (225°F)

* Only for thickness up to 8mm (5/16in).

+ Grades suitable for welding
When the base metal temperature is below 0°(32°F), the base metal shall be
preheated to at least 10°C (50°F) and this temperature maintained during
welding.
Notes:
(1) Welding shall not be done when the ambient temperature is lower
than -18°C (0°F), except with the express consent of the contractor’s
engineer.
(2) When the base metal is below the temperature listed for the welding
process used and for the thickness of the material being welded, it
shall be preheated (except as otherwise provided) in such a manner
that the surfaces of the parts on which metal is being deposited are at
or above the specified minimum temperature for a distance equal to
the thickness of the part being welded, but not less than 75mm (3 in),
both laterally and in advance of the welding. Preheat and interpass
temperatures shall be sufficient to prevent crack formation. For
quenched and tempered steel, the maximum preheat and interpass
temperature shall not exceed 200°C (400°F) for thickness up to 40
mm (1-1/2 in) inclusive and 230°C (450°F) for greater thicknesses.
Heat input, when welding quenched and tempered steel, shall not
exceed the steel producer’s recommendations.

9.0 Stress Relief Heat Treatment

Where required by the contract drawings or specifications, welded

assemblies shall be stress relieved by heat treatment. Specific welding
procedure data sheets indicating all parameters for stress relief heat
treatment shall be submitted to CWB for approval.
Post-weld heat treatment is not generally recommended for welded
assemblies of quenched and tempered steels, such as ASTM A514, A517,
A709 Grades 100 and 100W, and CSA G40.21, Grades 700Q and 700QT,
and it should not be applied to copper bearing age-hardening steels such as
ASTM A710. The vanadium content of weld metal in assemblies subject to
PWHT should not exceed 0.05%.
Requirements of Clause 5.12 of W59-13 or governing reference
standard on the welding procedure data sheet shall be followed.
10.0 Position

Welding position shall be done preferably in flat position. Welding in

other position is permissible, subject to prequalified joint limitation of
referenced standard or where Welding Procedure Data Sheets are supplied
and approval by Canadian Welding Bureau.

11.0 Electrical Characteristics

Shielded metal arc welding can operate over a wide range of currents
and voltages depending on the type and size of electrode used. The current
may be either AC or DC; thus, the power source may be either AC or DC or
Combination of AC/DC welder. In general, current, voltage and polarity of
particular electrode should be selected as per manufacturer’s published
data and recommendations.

12. Welding Technique

A welder’s skill in performing satisfactory weld involves: Striking the

arc, maintaining short and stead arc length, making a suitable weaving
motion when required and traversing the joint at correct speed of arc travel.
The arc is struck by hitting or scratching the striking end of the electrode
against joint surface. The electrode is held at suitable angle with respect to
the work and the line of the joint, depending on the type of the joint and
position of welding. The arc may be traversed along a straight line without
weaving motion, or it may be weaved sideways. A bead deposited without
weaving is termed as stringer bead, while that deposited with the weaving is
called a weave bead. At the end of weld run, the arc is made to linger
momentarily to fill up the arc crater, and the electrode withdrawn suddenly
to extinguish the arc.

13.0 Weld Metal Cleaning

Slag or flux remaining after a pass shall be removed before applying

the next covering pass. Prior to painting, etc., all slag shall be removed and
the parts shall be free of loose scale, oil and dirt.

14.0 Quality

Cracks or blow holes that appear on the surface of any pass shall be
removed before depositing the next covering pass. The procedure and
technique shall be such that undercutting of base metal or adjacent passes
is minimized. Fillet and butt welds shall meet the desirable or acceptable
fillet weld profiles shown in figure 5.4 of CSA W5-13. The reinforcement in
groove welds shall not exceed 3mm (1/8”) and shall have a gradual
transition to the plane of the base metal surface. Arc strikes outside the
area of permanent welds should be avoided on any material. When they
occur in cyclically-loaded structures, the surface of the arc strike should be
lightly ground and checked for soundness using the magnetic particle
inspection method.

15.0 Treatment of Underside of Welding Groove

Prior to depositing weld metal on the underside of welding groove, the

root shall be gouged, or chipped to sound metal, unless otherwise specified
on the applicable Data Sheet. Back-gouging shall produce a groove contour
substantially conforming with the groove profile dimensions as specified in
the figures in Clause 10 of W59-13 for the welding process to be used and
with the provisions of Clause 5.4.5.1 of W59-13. Its depth shall be adequate
to ensure complete penetration into the previously deposited weld metal for
the welding process to be used. Suitable access to the root shall be
maintained.

16.0 Essentials Variables

Essential variables listed in table 11 and clause 11.4.3 (W47.1-09)

shall be followed for W47.1-09/W59-13 reference standard.
A change in any essential variables described in W47.1-09 or
respective reference standard or detailed on Welding Procedure Data Sheets
shall require a new Welding Procedure Specification and / or Welding
Procedure Data Sheet.

AWS defines welding as:

“The art and science of joining metals by using the intrinsic adhesive
and cohesive forces of attraction that exist within metals”.

Welding, Brazing, Soldering

Does not include mechanical fastening such as bolts, rivets, screws, etc.
 Sample of WPS

Why Have Welding Procedures?

• Required by code.

• Proves to engineers & regulators you know what you are doing.

• Helps to produce quality welds.

Information to be included are the following:
 Governing Code (such as API, AWS, ASME, ISO, Foreign Codes)
 Material Parameters (such as spec and grade, wall thickness, size
(diameter), yield/tensile Strength, metallurgical concerns)
 Welding Process (such as GMAW/MIG, GTAW/TIG, SMAW/STICK, or
automated or not, etc.)
 Process Parameters
- Volts, Amps, Travel Speed
- Travel Direction
- Polarity
- Wire Welding Transfer Mode
- Globular, Spray, Short Circuit, Plasma
- Flux Core or Shielding Gas
- Number of Passes
- Number of Welders
- Electrodes
o Size
o Group Number = 1, 2, 3, etc.
o AWS Specification = A5.1, A5.5, etc.
 Pre/Post Weld Heat Treatment
- Temps
- Time
- Cooling Rates
- Heat Input
- Time Interval Between Passes
 Joint Design
- Material Thickness
- Joint Type
- Bevel Angles
- Root Opening Dimension
- Backer Rods
- Etc.
 Filler Metals
- E 6010
- E = Electrode
- 60 = Tensile Strength (60,000psi)
- 1 = All Position
- 0 = Type Of Coating & Polarity
- Cellulose, Low Hydrogen, Potassium, etc.
 Cleanliness
- Joint Cleaning
 - Coating Removal
- How to Remove Coatings
 Joint Fit Up
- Line Up Clamps
- Internal or External

Three Welding Testing Procedure

 API 1104 Field Welding
 ASME Section 9 Fab Shop Welding
 Part 192- Appendix C Low Stress, 12 inch and Less Pipe
Initial test – Destructive Test
6 Month Retest – Non-destructive, Compressor Station & Components
Part 192.229, Destructive Only

Definition of Terms

AWS- American Welding Society publishes over 240 AWS-developed codes,

recommended practices and guides which are written in accordance with
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) practices.

ASME- American Society of Mechanical Engineers ,Boiler and Pressure

Vessel Code (BPVC) cover all aspects of design and manufacture of boilers
and pressure vessels.

API- American Petroleum Institute is the oldest and most successful

program is in the development of API standards which started with its first
standard in 1924. API maintains over 500 standards covering the oil and gas
field.

AS/NZS- Australian/New Zealand Standards is the body responsible for the

development, maintenance and publication of Australian Standards.

CSA- Canadian Standards Association is responsible for the development,

maintenance and publication of CSA standards.

BS- British Standards are developed, maintained and published by BSI

Standards which is UK's National Standards Body.

ISO- International Standard Organization (ISO) has developed over 18500

standards and over 1100 new standards are published every year.

CEN- the European Union for Standardization/ European Union Standard

had issued numerous standards covering welding processes, which unified
and replaced former national standards. Of the former national standards,
those issued by BSI and DIN were widely used outside their countries of
origin. After the Vienna Agreement with ISO, CEN has replaced most of them
with equivalent ISO standards (EN ISO series).

German Standards (DIN and others)- NA 092 is the Standards Committee for
welding and allied processes (NAS) at DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e.
V.