AWS B1.10M/B1.10:2009

An American National Standard

Guide for the Nondestructive Examination

of Welds

AWS B1.10M/B1.10:2009

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

July 1, 2009

Guide for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds

4th Edition

Supersedes AWS B1.10:1999

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This guide acquaints the user with the nondestructive examination methods commonly used to examine weldments. The standard also addresses which method best detects various types of discontinuities. The methods included are visual, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, radiographic, ultrasonic, electromagnetic (eddy current), and leak testing.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-757-3

American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

© 2009 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

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Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other govern- mental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While the AWS administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evalu- ate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions are entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by the issuance of new editions. Users should ensure that they have the latest edition.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

Finally, the AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex D). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

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Personnel

AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection

C. A. Mankenberg, Chair Shell International Exploration & Production

W. A. Komlos, Vice Chair Arc Tech LLC

1. S. Baucher, 2nd Vice Chair Technicon Engineering Services, Incorporated

   1. C. McGrath, Secretary American Welding Society

      J. S. Armstrong LeTourneau Technologies, Incorporated

      1. W. Aschemeier H C Nutting

         B. L. Baker Baker Consulting Company

         R. E. Campbell Banker Steel Company

         R. V. Clarke TEAM Industrial Services, Incorporated

         L. P. Connor Consultant

         R. Cook SME Steel Contractors

         H. B. Craft Trinity Industries, Incorporated

         D. Crowe Massachusetts Highway Department

         R. W. Doornink Cantesco Corporation USA

         1. L. Goetzmann Spruce Creek Constructors

            G. Gratti Arcos Industries LLC

            B. Hill CH2MHILL Construction Canada LTD.

            R. L. Holdren Applications Technologies Company LLC

            A. L. Johnson Johnson Inspection and Consulting

            E. D. Levert Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

            M. J. Ludwig Cianbro Corporation

            R. McCabe AMC

            1. J. Moore, Jr. Marion Testing & Inspection

               G. M. Rogers Arrow Engineering

               *D. A. Shapira Washington Group International

               T. W. Studebaker Terracon Consultants

               D. A Wright Zephyr Products, Incorporated

               
               

               Advisors to the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection

               1. J. Hellier Hellier Associates

               2. L. Isenhour Northrop Grumman Newport News

               C. K. Nicholson MACTEC Engineering & Consulting, Incorporated

               C. F. Phelps Joseph Oat Corporation

               
               

               AWS B1A Subcommittee on Nondestructive Examination of Welds

   2. A. Mankenberg, Chair Shell International Exploration & Production

B. C. McGrath, Secretary American Welding Society

B. L. Baker Bechtel National, Incorporated

K. S. Baucher Technicon Engineering Services, Incorporated

D. Crowe Massachusetts Highway Department

W. A. Komlos Arc Tech LLC

*Deceased

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Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS B1.10M/B1.10:2009, Guide for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds, but is included for informational purposes only.

The Guide for the Nondestructive Inspection of Welds was first prepared by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection in 1977. The next edition was published in 1986, with updates to current industry practices. The 1999 and this current edition incorporate an overall edit and improvements to the figures.

The purpose of this guide is to give the reader an overview of the more common examination methods available without unnecessary detail and to provide an aid in deciding which method is generally best suited for the examination of a given weld.

The words examination, evaluation, inspection, and testing are considered synonymous when describing various non- destructive examination methods.

This guide has been prepared by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection to serve as a simple but reliable source of general information. It is not intended that this document provide complete and comprehensive coverage of the subject. There are many reference manuals available. For more comprehensive coverage of the activities of the welding inspector, this guide should be used in conjunction with the AWS Welding Inspection Handbook, which provides a more thorough description of the duties and responsibilities of welding inspectors, the techniques and characteristics of the usual nondestructive examination methods, and the major aspects of sampling and documentation required for an ade- quate quality control system. For other references on the subject of inspection, refer also to the technical documents sug- gested in Clause 2, Normative References, and Annex E, Informative References. Annex A summarizes the required equipment, applications, advantages, and limitations of each of the seven examination methods covered in the document. Annex B is adapted from Part C—Nondestructive Examination Symbols of AWS A2.4:2007, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination. Annex C provides a list of typical application standards and the addresses of the standards developers. Annex D provides guidelines for making inquires to AWS committees.

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables xi

List of Figures xi

1. General 1

   1. Scope. 1

   2. Advantages and Limitations of the Examination Method 1

   3. Acceptance Standards 1

   4. Cost 1

   5. Procedures. 2

   6. NDE Symbols 2

   7. Safety and Health 2

   8. Standard Units of Measurement 2

2. Normative References 2

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. Discontinuities 2

   1. Discussion of Discontinuities 2

   2. List of Discontinuities 3

   3. Porosity 4

   4. Inclusions 6

   5. Incomplete Fusion 8

   6. Incomplete Joint Penetration 8

   7. Undercut 8

   8. Underfill 9

   9. Overlap 9

   10. Lamination 9

   11. Delamination. 10

   12. Seams or Laps 10

   13. Lamellar Tear 11

   14. Cracks 11

   15. Concavity 14

   16. Convexity 14

   17. Weld Reinforcement 14

5. Nondestructive Examination Methods 15

   5.l Visual (VT) 15

   1. Liquid Penetrant (PT) 16

   2. Magnetic Particle (MT) 18

   3. Radiographic (RT) 20

   4. Ultrasonic (UT) 24

   5. Electromagnetic (ET). 29

   6. Leak (LT) 31

6. Interrelationships Among Welding Processes, Discontinuities, and Examination Methods 32

Page No.

Annex A (Informative)—Examination Method Selection Guide 35

Annex B (Informative)—NDE Symbols and Abbreviations 37

Annex C (Informative)—Typical Industry Standards 45

Annex D (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 47

Annex E (Informative)—Informative References 49

List of AWS Documents on Weld Inspection 51

x

List of Tables

Table Page No.

1. Common Types of Discontinuities 3

2. Discontinuities Commonly Encountered with Welding Processes 13

3. Common Weld Examination Methods vs. Discontinuities 33

4. Applicable Examination Methods—Five Weld Joint Types 33

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. Double-V-Groove Weld in Butt Joint 4

2. Single-Bevel-Groove and Fillet Welds in Corner Joint 5

3. Double-Bevel-Groove Weld in T-Joint 6

4. Double Fillet Weld in Lap Joint 7

5. Single Pass Double Fillet Weld in T-Joint 7

6. Single-Bevel-Groove Weld in Butt Joint 8

7. Fillet Weld Terminology 9

8. Fillet Weld Discontinuities 10

9. Groove Weld Terminology 11

10. Groove Weld Discontinuities 12

11. Steps in Penetrant Testing 17

12. Magnetic Field Leakage 18

13. Direct Magnetization Using dc Prods 19

14. Indirect Magnetization Using a Yoke 19

15. Making a Radiograph 21

16. Radiographs of Weld Discontinuities and Macrosections 22

17. Detection of Planar Discontinuities at Various Orientations by Radiography 23

18. Block Diagram, Pulse-Echo Flaw Detector 24

19. Similarities Between Reflections of Light and Sound at Boundaries 25

20. Refraction 25

21. Diffraction 26

22. Example of Longitudinal Testing 27

23. No Discontinuities 27

24. Discontinuity 28

25. Backing Bar False Indication 28

26. Eddy Current Weld Examination 29

27. Encircling Coil for the Eddy Current Examination of Welded Pipe 30

28. Typical Eddy Current Surface Probes for the Examination of Welds 31

1. Supplementary Nondestructive Examination Symbols 38

2. Standard Location of the Elements in the Nondestructive Examination Symbol 38

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Guide for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds

1. General

   1. Scope. This standard provides a reference guide for the kinds of nondestructive examination methods that are used to verify that welds meet the requirements of a code or specification. The nondestructive examination methods described are:

      1. Visual (VT)

      2. Liquid Penetrant (PT)

      3. Magnetic Particle (MT)

      4. Radiographic (RT)

      5. Ultrasonic (UT)

      6. Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) (ET)

      7. Leak (LT)

         The types of discontinuities detected with each method are disclosed and their causes discussed. Acceptance criteria are not addressed in this standard. Requirements for nondestructive examination and acceptance criteria should be specified in procurement documents prior to the award of contracts.

         Nondestructive examination (NDE) is a general term used in this text to identify the common examination methods used for evaluation of welds and related materials without destroying their usefulness.

         Principal factors to consider when choosing an examination method are the advantages and limitations of the method, anticipated type and size of discontinuity, acceptance standards, and cost. Annex A is a guide to process selection.

         AWS has chosen nondestructive examination (NDE) as the preferred terminology for these inspection methods. In other standards, literature, and industry usage, other expressions are commonly used. Among these are: nondestructive evaluation (NDE), nondestructive inspection (NDI), and nondestructive testing (NDT). It must be emphasized that all of these expressions are commonly used and may be considered equivalent.

   2. Advantages and Limitations of the Examination Method. The advantages and limitations of the examination method help to determine which method(s) is (are) best for detecting discontinuities of a particular size, shape, and orientation. For example, radiography can detect discontinuities with major planes aligned parallel with the radiation beam, such as cracks oriented normal to material surfaces. Radiography, however, usually cannot detect laminations in material or cracks oriented parallel to the plate surface. Conversely, ultrasonic examination can detect cracks oriented in any direction provided the sound beam is oriented essentially perpendicular to the major axis of the crack.

   3. Acceptance Standards. The statement “the weld shall be radiographically examined” is incomplete unless accep- tance standards are specified. Acceptance standards define characteristics of discontinuities and state whether particular types of discontinuities are allowed. Certain discontinuities such as slag or porosity may be acceptable providing their size and distribution are within specified limits. These criteria have to be incorporated in the acceptance standards. Most codes and specifications such as AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code—Steel, ASME Boiler and Pressure Code, and API 1104, Welding of Pipeline and Related Facilities, contain acceptance standards. These and other construction standards are shown in Annex C.

   4. Cost. Costs of the various examination methods depend on the particular situation. Two factors that should be con- sidered in selection of a nondestructive examination method are the cost of performing the examination and the equipment.

      Visual examination is usually the least expensive, but it is limited to the detection of surface discontinuities. In general, the cost of radiographic, ultrasonic, or eddy current examination is higher than that of visual, magnetic particle, or liquid penetrant examination. To meet the intended purpose and minimize cost, qualified personnel should be consulted.

   5. Procedures. It should be recognized that all NDE methods must be performed in accordance with an approved pro- cedure which is available to the technician performing the test or examination. This is almost always a requirement of the application code. Only by following a documented (written) procedure can the NDE technician ensure adherence to codes and specifications applicable to the fabrication under test. These procedures should be documented to provide all details of test preparation, performance, and interpretation to ensure reliability and reproducibility of results.

   6. NDE Symbols. The use of NDE symbols and abbreviations is shown in Annex B, which is adapted from AWS A2.4,

      Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination.

   7. Safety and Health. Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard and therefore are not fully addressed herein. Safety and health information is available from other sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, and applicable federal and state regulations.

   8. Standard Units of Measurement. This standard makes use of both the International System of Units (SI) and U.S. Customary Units. The latter are shown within brackets ([ ]) or in appropriate columns in tables and figures. The measure- ments may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently.

      
      

2. Normative References

   The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute mandatory provisions of this AWS standard. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced standard shall apply. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply.

   AWS documents:1

   1. AWS A2.4, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination.

   2. AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions. ANSI documents:2

   ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

   
   

3. Terms and Definitions

   The terminology used in this guide is that established in AWS A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions. That docu- ment defines a discontinuity as “an interruption of the typical structure of a material, such as a lack of homogeneity in the mechanical, metallurgical, or physical characteristics. A discontinuity is not necessarily a defect.” A3.0 defines a defect as “a discontinuity or discontinuities that by nature or accumulated effect render a part or product unable to meet mini- mum applicable acceptance standards or specifications. The term designates rejectability.” For the purpose of this guide, reference will be made to detection of discontinuities without regard to the distinction between acceptance or rejection.

   
   

4. Discontinuities

   1. Discussion of Discontinuities. This guide is concerned only with discontinuities, which may be classified as defects (rejectable) depending on acceptance criteria in a particular specification or code. Discontinuities are rejectable only if they exceed that allowed by the specification.

Discontinuities may be found in the weld metal, heat-affected, and base metal zones of weldments made in the five basic weld joint types: butt, T-, corner, lap, and edge. The following subclause presents a partial list of discontinuities that may be encountered in the fabrication of metals by welding. When specific discontinuities are located in the weld metal, heat- affected, or base metal zones, the abbreviations WMZ, HAZ, and BMZ, respectively, are used to indicate the location.

1 AWS standards are published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

2 ANSI Z49.1 is published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

2