CAVOREN WPSAWS D1.1 WPS preparation

Complete WPS demonstration · SMAW · ASTM A36

A36 SMAW WPS example: E7018, steel-backed single-V plate joint

A finished English procedure built from a published, representative structural-steel example. The page shows the actual listed welding conditions, the current-edition material-group check and the complete document in practical formats.

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Base metal
A36 to A36 · 1 in.
Process
SMAW · E7018 · DCEP
Joint
Single-V · steel backing
Positions
3G and 4G · uphill
Sample basis:WPS201 public inputs from WABO, reformatted as a clear demonstration document. The source is a welder-qualification example, not a customer project record.

The demonstrated welding conditions

The source describes a 1 in. A36 plate groove weld using SMAW and an E7018 1/8 in. electrode. The parameter values below follow the source's stated operating range.

WPS fieldDemonstration value
Base metalASTM A36 to ASTM A36 plate, 1 in. (25.4 mm); Group II for the AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 Table 5.6 check at this thickness.
Joint / backingB-U2a steel-backed single-V butt groove; 45° included angle; 1/4 in. root opening; root face N/A in the source; no backgouging. The source sketch calls 1/4 in. a maximum; this example uses the current nominal 1/4 in. detail.
Process / positionSMAW; 3G and 4G; vertical progression uphill.
Electrode / polarityAWS E7018, 1/8 in.; DCEP. The source does not name a brand. Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR is identified in the sample WPS as a compatible demonstration product only.
Amperage100–140 A, for root, fill and cap.
Voltage21–25 V, for root, fill and cap.
Travel speed6–12 in./min (152–305 mm/min), for root, fill and cap.
TemperatureMinimum preheat and interpass 50°F (10°C), consistent with the low-hydrogen SMAW Category B minimum at this thickness. The source states no maximum.
Backing detailFor this demonstration document: ASTM A36 steel backing, 1/4 in. thick × 1 in. wide, continuous and retained for a static joint. These are stated example conditions; WABO does not specify backing dimensions.
Technique / treatmentStringer beads; multipass; clean between passes. PWHT: N/A. Exact pass count and backing dimensions are not stated in the source.

Joint cross-section

B-U2a · SMAW
Dimensioned steel-backed single-V butt joint Two one-inch A36 plates with a 45-degree included groove angle and a nominal one-quarter-inch root opening. A continuous A36 steel backing strip, one-quarter-inch thick by one-inch wide, fits directly beneath the joint. A36A36 45° R = 1/4 in. T = 1 in.
Groove angle45° included angle
Root opening1/4 in. nominal
Steel backingA36 · 1/4 in. × 1 in.
Continuous, tight fit, retained
Prepared joint before welding. Schematic, not to scale. U.S. customary dimensions govern; backing dimensions are selected demonstration conditions.

What is carried into this WPS

The values are transcribed from WABO's published example and placed into Cavoren's English WPS layout. A few decisions are made explicit for this demonstration and the current technical basis:

  • At 1 in. thickness, A36 is assigned Group II under AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 Table 5.6; the source's older Group I label is not carried over.
  • The 50°F minimum is retained for low-hydrogen SMAW at this thickness. The maximum interpass value and exact pass count remain unstated because the source does not provide them.
  • The source gives an E7018 classification, not a product brand. A compatible electrode is named as an example selection and is checked against its published operating range; it is not represented as the source product.
  • The WABO sketch calls the 1/4 in. root opening a maximum, while the current AWS detail uses a nominal 1/4 in. root opening. The demonstration states its selected backing size and dimension as explicit example conditions.

Demonstration assumptions: non-tubular plate CJP butt weld for static loading, with no CVN or PWHT requirement. A project drawing and contract may impose additional conditions.

Source and use

Public input: Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO), Standard No. 27-13, 12th edition, June 2023, WPS201, printed page 66.

Product data: Lincoln Electric Excalibur 7018 MR product data; selected for illustration, not identified by WABO as its product.

This is a source-based demonstration document, not a customer WPS or a document issued for production. The AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 base edition and registered 2026-07-28 base errata are used for the noted material-group and temperature checks; AMD1 is excluded.

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Use this bounded A36 SMAW demonstration to inspect document structure and source notes, not as project qualification evidence.