Friday, 8 January 2010

WELDER PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION - PART 6

Test Coupon Preparation for the Destructive Bend Test

Test Coupon Marking and Cutting

It is now the next day since taking the test and the plate has had more than enough time to cool
The first thing is to put a mark in the center of the plate with soap stone. Then you need to put a mark one inch above it and one inch below it. Then the next marks are 1½ inches above the top mark and again 1½ inches below the bottom mark. The two outside marks are the bend specimens. Using a square I marked lines across the test plate as to where they will be cut. In the case of coupon failure the middle of the plate can be used as a backup coupon, as long as the failure of the bend falls within the ASME acceptance criteria for a bend test. Next my initials are inscribed, and bend test specimens are marked, one for a root bend, the second for a face bend, and the third for an alternate. Just as a not the bend test specimens must be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches wide.
Once I marked the cut lines, I cut them with a horizontal band saw.