Which records should be kept to demonstrate material traceability?

• A. Operator's initials on the workpiece.
• B. Stock numbers.
• C. Material certificates, heat numbers, weld maps, WPS/PQR/WPQ, batch numbers, and inspection reports.
• D. Purchase orders and invoices.

Answer: (C)

Material traceability means being able to link every welded component back to the exact material and the welding procedure used, along with the fabrication and inspection history. The best way to demonstrate that is by keeping a complete set of records that covers the material identity, how it was welded, and how it was inspected. Material certificates show what the material is and its properties; heat numbers tie that material to a specific production heat; weld maps identify exactly where and how each weld was made and joined; WPS/PQR/WPQ documents capture the approved welding procedure, the qualification of that procedure, and the welder’s qualification; batch numbers link components to production lots; and inspection reports record the results of inspections and any nondestructive testing. Together, these records form a traceable chain from material to finished weld and its QA checks.

Other options don’t provide this complete history. An operator’s initials on the piece don’t identify the material or the welding history; stock numbers track inventory but not the welding process or QA data; and purchase orders or invoices show procurement but not the fabrication, welding, or inspection records needed for traceability.