Non Destructive Weld Examination
The ABC's of Nondestructive Weld Examination
An understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of each form of nondestructive examination can help you choose the best method for your application
BY CHARLES HAYES * Acknowledgement:
The Paper was first published in the Welding Journal May 1997 published by the The American Welding Society,
550 NW LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126. | CHARLES HAYES is International Sales/Support Manager, The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, Ohio. He holds NDT Level III certification from the American Society of Nondestructive Testing and is a member of the AWS D1D Subcommittee on Inspection. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS | * Introduction * Visual Inspection (VT) * Radiographic Inspection (RT) * Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) * Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT) * Ultrasonic Inspection (UT) * Table 1 - Reference Guide to Major Methods for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds * Choices Control Quality |
Introduction
The philosophy that often guides the fabrication of welded assemblies and structures is "to assure weld quality." However, the term "weld quality" is relative. The application determines what is good or bad. Generally, any weld is of good quality if it meets appearance requirements and will continue indefinitely to do the job for which it is intended. The first step in assuring weld quality is to determine the degree required by the application. A standard should be established based on the service requirements. "Whatever the standard of quality, all welds should be inspected." |
Standards designed to impart weld quality may differ from job to job, but the use of appropriate examination techniques can provide assurance that the applicable standards are being met. Whatever the standard of quality, all welds should be inspected, even if the inspection involves nothing more than the welder looking over his own work after each weld pass. A good-looking weld surface appearance is many times considered
An understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of each form of nondestructive examination can help you choose the best method for your application
BY CHARLES HAYES * Acknowledgement:
The Paper was first published in the Welding Journal May 1997 published by the The American Welding Society,
550 NW LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126. | CHARLES HAYES is International Sales/Support Manager, The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, Ohio. He holds NDT Level III certification from the American Society of Nondestructive Testing and is a member of the AWS D1D Subcommittee on Inspection. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS | * Introduction * Visual Inspection (VT) * Radiographic Inspection (RT) * Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) * Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT) * Ultrasonic Inspection (UT) * Table 1 - Reference Guide to Major Methods for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds * Choices Control Quality |
Introduction
The philosophy that often guides the fabrication of welded assemblies and structures is "to assure weld quality." However, the term "weld quality" is relative. The application determines what is good or bad. Generally, any weld is of good quality if it meets appearance requirements and will continue indefinitely to do the job for which it is intended. The first step in assuring weld quality is to determine the degree required by the application. A standard should be established based on the service requirements. "Whatever the standard of quality, all welds should be inspected." |
Standards designed to impart weld quality may differ from job to job, but the use of appropriate examination techniques can provide assurance that the applicable standards are being met. Whatever the standard of quality, all welds should be inspected, even if the inspection involves nothing more than the welder looking over his own work after each weld pass. A good-looking weld surface appearance is many times considered