Inspection Trends / Summer 2013 31 applied per paragraph 4.31.1. This is not specific just to the final weld only but can and should be applied during any portion of the qualification process to include fitup and tack, root and intermediate pass deposition, welding completion, backing bar removal (when applicable), weld cap removal, and prior to and upon completion of any mechanical testing, etc. AWS Form N-4 (welder qualification test record) even designates a location and checkoff for visual inspection. Should a relevant linear indication be detected at any point in the qualification process, an applicable acceptance criteria should then be applied to evaluate this condition. In addition, if mechanical tests are not employed and radiography was substituted for any bend tests, there is a high probability that this discontinuity would have been detected and rejected. Not all visual inspections will reveal and detect relevant linear indications, although there is a greater opportunity to identify these discontinuities if and when visual inspection is employed throughout the entire welding process. The main objective for any welder qualification test is to accurately determine if the subject welder can satisfactorily complete a specific weldment in accordance with an approved document and/or set of parameters while applying known and established acceptance criteria. It would be highly advisable to discuss and/or provide a handout of the acceptance criteria with the test welder before beginning. The primary consideration when applying any acceptance criteria in regard to visual welding inspection and nondestructive testing is to ensure completely that the part or item has been thoroughly inspected and/or tested in accordance with the established criteria to address each relevant indication. Inspection Trends encourages question and answer submissions. Please mail to the editor (mjohnsen@aws.org). KENNETH ERICKSON is manager of quality at National Inspection & Consultants, Inc., Ft. Myers, Fla. He is an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector, an ASNT National NDT Level III Inspector in four methods, and provides expert witness review and analysis for legal considerations. ALBERT J. MOORE JR. is vice president, Marion Testing & Inspection, Canton, Conn. He is an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector and an ASNT ACCP NDT Level III. He is also a member of the AWS Certification Committee and the Committee on Methods of Inspection of Welds. Fig 1 — This discontinuity in the root of the weld appeared following a face bend test. Opportunity Knocks. AWS agreement with ASNT offers ACCP to qualified CWIs & SCWIs. Do you need visual testing certification which meets the guidelines for Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A as required by some sections of the ASME Code? Through this agreement, qualified SCWIs and CWIs can obtain ACCP Level II VT certification without examination. Enhance your credentials and satisfy work requirements with the addition of an ACCP credential. To apply and for more details visit www.asnt.org or call 614.274.6003 or 800.222.2768 US/Canada. Image © Longview Inspection For info go to www.aws.org/ad-index
Inspection Trends | Summer 2013
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