Weld assessment coverage issue?
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A manufacturer of pressure pipeline components already has a weld qualification for 316. Can this qualification be applied to 304L as well? Additionally, according to the piping codes, when a manufacturer uses a foreign-grade material for the first time, is it necessary to conduct a weld qualification test for each individual material? In that case, there would be no issue regarding applicability.
The welding evaluation for 316 can cover 304L, as both are austenitic stainless steels with similar welding properties. According to the piping regulations, materials of foreign grades used for the first time must undergo separate weldability tests to ensure that the welding methods are suitable for the new materials. Therefore, there is no issue of direct overlap; a weld evaluation must be conducted for each new material. .