| | Content | |-------------|--------------| | QW/QB/QF – General | Definitions, responsibilities, test requirements | | QW – Welding | Procedure (QW-200) and performance (QW-300) qualification | | QB – Brazing | Procedure and performance for brazing (filler metal < 840°C liquidus) | | QF – Fusing | Thermal spray / fusing qualifications | | Mandatory Appendices | A – Forms, B – Welding variables, D – Macroetch/etchant specs | | Non-mandatory Appendices | M – Suggested format for WPS, N – Welder performance test records |
ASME SEC-IX makes a strict distinction between groove welds (full penetration) and fillet welds. asme sec-ix
| Code | Scope | Relationship to ASME SEC-IX | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Qualification of procedures and personnel. | The method of qualification. | | ASME SEC-VIII | Construction of pressure vessels. | Uses SEC-IX to qualify its welding. | | AWS D1.1 | Structural steel welding (buildings, bridges). | Completely different rules (e.g., AWS allows larger bend cracks). | | API 1104 | Pipeline welding. | Different essential variables. | | | Content | |-------------|--------------| | QW/QB/QF –
Part of the broader ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section IX is arguably the most referenced and utilized standard in the welding industry. While other sections dictate what materials to use or how thick a vessel’s walls must be, Section IX dictates how to join those materials permanently. It is the rulebook that ensures a weld will hold under pressure, temperature, and corrosion for the life of the equipment. | | ASME SEC-VIII | Construction of pressure vessels
Buy the latest edition of ASME BPVC Section IX from the ASME website. This guide is for educational purposes; the code book is the only legal authority.
This guide provides an in-depth look at the structure, application, and importance of ASME Section IX in the 2026 industrial landscape. 1. What is ASME Section IX?