Existing-PQR review · Clause 6 and Clause 10
Which production positions does an existing PQR cover?
There is no single position range for every PQR. First identify whether the qualification test was a plate groove, plate fillet, plug/slot, or tubular test. Then use the matching column and test row for the target weld type. The test position is evidence used by the qualification table; it is not a blanket statement that every production weld or welder is qualified.
Start with the qualification branch
| What the PQR test was | Position rule to use | Do not infer |
|---|---|---|
| Plate CJP groove test | Table 6.1 CJP groove row. For plate production, check the separate CJP, PJP and fillet columns. | A tested position does not establish all joint details, materials, thicknesses, variables or contract conditions. |
| Plate PJP groove test | Table 6.1 PJP groove row. It can support listed PJP and fillet positions; it does not create plate CJP position coverage. | Do not transfer CJP-test position coverage to a PJP test. |
| Plate fillet T-test | Use the fillet-test row and the test orientation. Review 6.13 and Table 6.4 for fillet scope. | A fillet test does not create groove-weld position coverage. A 1G groove test is not a substitute for a fillet T-test. |
| Plug or slot test | Use the tested position, subject to Table 6.5 geometry and Clause 6.14. | Do not extend plug/slot positions from the CJP groove table. |
| Pipe or box-tube test | Use the applicable Clause 10 qualification row in Table 10.8, with its test type, connection column and footnotes. | Do not substitute plate Table 6.1 or use a 6GR welder test as a WPS position qualification. |
Plate tests: the CJP, PJP and fillet columns differ
Table 6.1 uses production orientations: F = flat, H = horizontal, V = vertical and OH = overhead. For the ordinary plate production columns, the position mapping is:
| Qualification test | Plate CJP groove production | Plate PJP groove production | Plate fillet production |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJP groove, 1G | F | F | F |
| CJP groove, 2G | F, H | F, H | F, H |
| CJP groove, 3G | V | V | V |
| CJP groove, 4G | OH | OH | OH |
| PJP groove, 1G / 2G / 3G / 4G | No CJP position coverage | F / F,H / V / OH | F / F,H / V / OH |
| Fillet, 1F / 2F / 3F / 4F | No groove position coverage | No groove position coverage | F / F,H / V / OH |
This is position mapping only. Other qualification dimensions still apply. In particular, a PJP WPS must follow the Clause 6.12 method actually used; fillet scope must follow 6.13 and its test-size conditions. If plug/slot welds are involved, follow the tested-position rule and Table 6.5.
A plate test's pipe column has a diameter condition
Table 6.1 also has pipe and box-tube production columns, but they are not a general tubular-connection qualification. Its footnote for pipe circumferential butt welds sets a nominal outside-diameter threshold of at least 24 in [600 mm]. This means nominal outside diameter, not NPS designation. Do not apply that column to smaller pipe or use it to qualify T-, Y- or K-connections.
Production T/Y/K fillet welds have additional Figure 10.5 geometry requirements, and WPS qualification follows 6.13. Tubular groove and connection qualification uses Clause 10. The applicable tubular table and connection branch must be checked even where a plate-table pipe column looks similar.
Tubular tests: apply Table 10.8 by test type and connection
Table 10.8 is not just a second list of position names. Choose the tubular test row and the exact target column: pipe butt CJP/PJP, pipe T/Y/K PJP, pipe fillet, box-tube butt, box T/Y/K, or box fillet. Blank or shaded cells do not establish coverage. The 2026-07-28 errata is reflected in the stated basis, including the corrected pipe-butt header and box T/Y/K entries.
| Clause 10 test | Example target column | Position coverage | Condition to retain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2G tubular groove test | Pipe butt CJP | F and H | Apply Table 10.8 footnote b: butt-weld backing/backgouging detail must match Figure 10.17(A) or (B), as applicable. |
| 5G tubular groove test | Pipe butt CJP | F, V and OH | Use the pipe-butt CJP column and its applicable butt-joint/detail footnotes. |
| 2G + 5G tubular tests | Pipe T/Y/K CJP | All positions | Table 10.8 footnote j marks this as CJP WPS qualification only, not welder qualification. The box-tube T/Y/K CJP cell has a separate footnote k limitation. |
| 2F tubular fillet test | Pipe or box-tube fillet | F and H | Use the fillet-test row; do not substitute a groove-test result for a fillet test. |
A 6G row is not a universal shortcut. For example, Table 10.8 applies a specific note to PJP T/Y/K cells tested in 6G, and other footnotes limit joint details or dihedral angle. Read the cell's footnotes with the applicable WPS thickness/diameter provisions in 10.13 and Tables 10.9–10.11. The printed Table 10.8 footnote c points to Table 10.12 for a pipe diameter condition; that reference does not set the WPS thickness range, which is handled by the applicable WPS provisions.
WPS position coverage is separate from welder qualification
A PQR supports a welding procedure within its code-permitted scope. It does not qualify an individual welder. Welder and welding-operator performance qualification is a separate Clause 6 Part C determination under the applicable qualification provisions. In tubular work, Table 10.8's 6GR entry is a personnel qualification pathway, not ordinary WPS coverage. A welder's test position or 6GR qualification therefore cannot be used to expand a WPS, and a WPS position range does not by itself prove a particular welder is qualified.
Review sequence for an actual PQR
- Lock the contract edition and identify the test coupon as plate, pipe or box-tube.
- Record the tested position and the actual test type: CJP groove, PJP groove, fillet, plug/slot, or the relevant Clause 10 test.
- Select the target weld category and matching production column. For pipe, distinguish circumferential butt from T/Y/K; for box tubing, identify butt or T/Y/K.
- Apply every linked footnote, including pipe OD, backing/backgouging, connection geometry and tubular notes.
- Check the remaining supported scope: material combination, base-metal thickness, weld size/deposit where applicable, process variables, CVN and contract conditions.
- Record the position result as supported, unsupported or unresolved. Separately confirm the production welder's performance qualification.
Use the PQR coverage matrix to retain the coupon type, exact table branch, evidence and final WPS range in separate fields. The thickness guide explains the base-metal versus weld-deposit distinction.
Code basis and limits
Basis: AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025 base edition plus the registered AWS errata dated July 28, 2026; AMD1 is not included. Principal provisions are Clause 6.4 and Table 6.1 for plate qualification position scope, Clause 6.12–6.14 for PJP/fillet/plug-slot branches, Clause 6 Part C for welder and operator qualification, and Clause 10/Table 10.8 plus the applicable tubular qualification and dimension rules. The contract edition governs a project. AWS provides the official D1.1/D1.1M:2025 publication listing and links to applicable notices.
This page explains position mapping; it does not determine whether a particular PQR passes or certify a WPS, project weld or welder. Review the complete controlled PQR, test reports, target joint and applicable edition before issuing a production procedure.
Submit the controlled records and project conditions for a traceable WPS scope review.