Discontinuity

• An interruption of the typical structure of a

material, such as a lack of homogeneity in its
mechanical, metallurgical, or physical
characteristics. A discontinuity is not
necessarily a defect.
 Weld Joint Discontinuities
• Misalignment (hi-lo) • Inclusions • Base Metal
• Undercut – Slag Discontinuities
– Wagontracks – Lamellar tearing
• Underfill
– Tungsten – Laminations and
• Concavity or Convexity • Spatter Delaminations
• Excessive reinforcement • Arc Craters – Laps and Seams
• Improper reinforcement • Cracks • Porosity
• Overlap – Longitudinal – Uniformly Scattered
• Burn-through – Transverse – Cluster
– Crater – Linear
• Incomplete or Insufficient
– Throat
Penetration – Piping
– Toe
• Incomplete Fusion – Root
• Heat-affected zone
• Surface irregularity – Underbead and
microstructure alteration
– Overlap Heat-affected zone • Base Plate laminations
• Arc Strikes – Hot • Size or dimensions
– Cold or delayed
 Defect
• A flaw or flaws that by nature or accumulated
effect render a part or product unable to meet
minimum applicable acceptance standards or
specifications. The term designates
rejectability.
 Welding defect

The following figures give a rough survey about the

classification of welding defects to DIN 8524. This standard does
not classify existing welding defects according to their origin but
only to their appearance.

4
Welding defect

5
Welding defect

6
Welding defect

7
Welding defect

8
Welding defect

9
Welding defect

10
Welding defect

11
Welding defect

12
Welding defect

13