CWB WELDING INSPECTOR LEVEL 2
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
(2026/2027) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following carbon equivalent (CE) values generally indicates a high risk of cold
cracking requiring stringent preheat controls?
A. 0.20%
B. 0.35%
C. 0.10%
D. 0.45% or higher
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A carbon equivalent (CE) above 0.45% indicates increased
hardenability and a higher susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cold cracking, necessitating
higher preheat and controlled cooling.
2. In Ultrasonic Testing (UT), the physical law used to calculate the change in direction of a
sound beam as it passes through an interface at an angle is known as:
A. Snell’s Law
,B. Ohm’s Law
C. Boyle’s Law
D. Hooke’s Law
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Snell’s Law relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the
wave velocities in the two media, which is fundamental for angle beam UT.
3. Which crystalline structure is most associated with the brittleness of the Heat Affected
Zone (HAZ) in rapidly cooled carbon steels?
A. Martensite
B. Ferrite
C. Austenite
D. Pearlite
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Martensite is a hard, brittle microstructural constituent formed
by the rapid cooling (quenching) of austenite, often leading to cracking if not tempered.
4. Under CSA W59, what is the maximum permissible undercut for a dynamically loaded
structure transverse to the tensile stress?
A. 2.0 mm (0.08 in)
B. 1.0 mm (0.04 in)
, C. 0.25 mm (0.01 in)
D. 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: CSA W59 specifies very strict undercut limits for dynamically
loaded members, often restricted to 0.25 mm when transverse to primary tensile stress.
5. Which welding process utilizes a ‘Constant Current’ (CC) power source characteristic?
A. SMAW
B. FCAW
C. GMAW
D. SAW (high speed)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SMAW and GTAW require a constant current (CC) power source
to maintain a stable arc despite minor variations in arc length by the welder.
6. A ‘welding procedure specification’ (WPS) must be qualified by which document?
A. Welder Qualification Record (WQR)
B. Material Test Report (MTR)
C. Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
D. Visual Inspection Report
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
(2026/2027) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following carbon equivalent (CE) values generally indicates a high risk of cold
cracking requiring stringent preheat controls?
A. 0.20%
B. 0.35%
C. 0.10%
D. 0.45% or higher
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A carbon equivalent (CE) above 0.45% indicates increased
hardenability and a higher susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cold cracking, necessitating
higher preheat and controlled cooling.
2. In Ultrasonic Testing (UT), the physical law used to calculate the change in direction of a
sound beam as it passes through an interface at an angle is known as:
A. Snell’s Law
,B. Ohm’s Law
C. Boyle’s Law
D. Hooke’s Law
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Snell’s Law relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the
wave velocities in the two media, which is fundamental for angle beam UT.
3. Which crystalline structure is most associated with the brittleness of the Heat Affected
Zone (HAZ) in rapidly cooled carbon steels?
A. Martensite
B. Ferrite
C. Austenite
D. Pearlite
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Martensite is a hard, brittle microstructural constituent formed
by the rapid cooling (quenching) of austenite, often leading to cracking if not tempered.
4. Under CSA W59, what is the maximum permissible undercut for a dynamically loaded
structure transverse to the tensile stress?
A. 2.0 mm (0.08 in)
B. 1.0 mm (0.04 in)
, C. 0.25 mm (0.01 in)
D. 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: CSA W59 specifies very strict undercut limits for dynamically
loaded members, often restricted to 0.25 mm when transverse to primary tensile stress.
5. Which welding process utilizes a ‘Constant Current’ (CC) power source characteristic?
A. SMAW
B. FCAW
C. GMAW
D. SAW (high speed)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SMAW and GTAW require a constant current (CC) power source
to maintain a stable arc despite minor variations in arc length by the welder.
6. A ‘welding procedure specification’ (WPS) must be qualified by which document?
A. Welder Qualification Record (WQR)
B. Material Test Report (MTR)
C. Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
D. Visual Inspection Report
