Visual testing of welds.

Weld discontinuities:
A discontinuity is an interruption of a typical structure
.such as inhomogeneity in the mechanical,
metallurgical, or physical characteristics of a
material.
Discontinuity associated with welds may be divided as
follows:
1.dimensional 2.process, 3.mechanical or chemical, and
4.base metal properties. The above
1. Distortion, incorrect weld size,profile or proportions
and excess weld reinforcement. 2. Porosity
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 Dimensional discontinuities;
 Dimensional characteristics are directly related to the
material and mechanical quality of a test object and
to the very sorts of performance, such as service life,
that NDT used to evaluate.
 Welding typically involves the application of heat and
the fusion of metal. Stresses of high magnitude
result form thermal expansion and contraction during
weld metal solidification. These stresses causes
distortion.
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Weld alignment correct and incorrect.
 Correct

 Incorrect


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 Typical disposition of weld
discontinuities by VT of pressure
vessel.
 Cracking none permitted
 Incomplete penetration none permitted
 Lack of fusion none permitted
 Undercut 0.75 mm or 10 percent Tw
 External porosity none permitted
 External inclusions none permitted.

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Typical discontinuities locaated by
visual testing of storage vessels or
tanks.
 Cracking see the notes below
 Incomplete penetration none permitted
 Lack of fusion none permitted
 Undercut in vertical joints 0.4mm
 Undercut in horizontal joints 0.75 mm
 External porosity see the notes below
 External slag inclusions see the notes below
 Concave root surface see the notes below
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 Typical weld inspection plan
incorporating visual testing.
 Before welding
 During welding
 After welding
 Acceptance testing
 Repairs
 Procedure used in VT shall contain the min. of the following-
VT GUIDELINES, SURFACE CONDITION, METHOD OF
SURFACE PPN.,TOOLSUSED,TYPE OF VIEWING –
DIRECT OR REMOTE,SPL ILLUMINATION,INSTRUMENTS
OR EQPT, SEQUENCE OF TEST,DATA TO BE
TABULATED, REPORT FORMS OR STATEMENTS

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 Before welding
 Material identification, chemical analysis,
mechanical properties.
 Base metal defects- laminations, laminar
discontinuities scabs and cracks , surface
irregularities, flatness
 Joint geometry- edge ppn, dimensions, cleanliness,
root opening, tacking backing
 Special setups jigging and bracing, pre stressing or
pre cambering (slight convexity of upper portion)

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 During welding.
 1. PRE HEAT AND INTERPASS TEMP. CONTROLS-
MEASUREMENT METHODS
 2.FILLER METAL-IDENTIFICATION, CONTROL,
HANDLING
 3. ROOT PASS CONTOURAND SOUNDNESS-ROOT
PASS IS THE MOST CRITICAL PART OF THE WELD AS
IT SOLIDFIES FAST, ENTRAPS SLAG, DEVELOP CRACK
DUE EXTREEME TEMP. DIFF.
 4.CLEANING BETWEEN THE PASSES, APPEARANCE OF
PASSES, INPROCESS NDT AS PER PROCEDURE.

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AFTER WELDING
 1. PWHT REQUIREMTNTS
 2. METHOD OF CLEANING FOR INSPECTION
 3. CONFORMITY OF WELDS WITH DRAWINGS
 4. NDTS- VT,MT,PT,RT,UT
 5. DTS - PROOF TESTING, TENSILE,
COMPRESSION, CHEMICAL, METALLOGRAPHIC

 REPAIRS- MARGIN FOR ACCEPTANCE OR

REJECTION TESTING AFTER REPAIR.

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