Question

For the purposes of performance qualification, SMAW electrodes are grouped such that a welder qualified to weld with other electrodes in that group, plus (possibly) with other groups. If the welder has qualified with group F2 electrode, the welder is qualified to weld with:

a. Group E electrodes only
b. Group F2 electrodes only
c. Group F electrodes only
d. Group G electrodes only

Answer 1

A welder qualified with a group F2 electrode from the SMAW electrode grouping system is qualified to weld with group F electrodes only.

Step-by-step explanation:

For the purposes of performance qualification, SMAW electrodes are grouped to facilitate the qualification of welders. When a welder is qualified using a particular electrode group, they are typically qualified to weld with electrodes within that group and may also be qualified to use electrodes from other groups, depending on the specific qualifications obtained.

As per the question, if a welder has qualified with a group F2 electrode, they are qualified to weld with electrodes in the same group, which is group F electrodes only. Electrodes in group F are low-hydrogen electrodes, and this group is further categorised into smaller subgroups such as F1, F2, F3, etc. Unlike some other categorizations where qualifying with one subgroup might provide qualification for others, in the case of SMAW electrode groups, the qualification with an F2 electrode does not, by default, qualify a welder to use group E or group G electrodes, unless additional qualifications are obtained.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is c. Group F electrodes only.