(k) Testing of Welds 2n Plates

For testing a weld satisfactorily, the following information

should be available

(i) Material,· (ii) Details of weld preparation, (iii)

W~lding process and probable defects expected, (iv) Applica-
tlon of the part and (v) Acceptance criteria.

Let us' consider testing of a single 'V' butt joint welded

only from one side using transverse waves.

Selection of probe frequency depends on the minimum size of

flaw to be detected and attenuation in the . material. The
effects of near zone and beam spread which varies with
frequency should be considered. For mild steel welds . usually
a frequency in· the range of 1 MHz to 4 MHz will be satis-
~

factory. · ~

Probe Angle : A rule-of thumb,'. for determining the angle of

probe is 8 = 90- t, where 8= is the angle of probe,
and t, = the thickness of material to be tested in mm.
However, . the important factor to be considered is the proba-
ble plane of orientation of· defects. The beam should have
such an angle so as to strike the defect normally. To
accommodate the variation of ecpo amplitude with respect to
distance, a Distance Amplitude Correction (DAC) curve
should be drawn with a known , reflector. The first point of
the (DAC curve should be taken preferably after the beam
undergoes one reflection from the bottom surface.

scanning is done from both sides · o£ the weld wilh sufficient

oveilap to ensure complete coverage and with a swiv~l motion
to the . probe. The distance (minimum and maximum} the probe
should travel · from the weld axis should be such that entire
volume of the weld is adequately scanned.

97

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The flaws can be located with respect to the probe position
and depth from the scanning surface can be determined using
the following equations :-

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 However an echo must not, at once be taken as evidence of a
flaw. On the contrary, the origin of the echo should be
sought by a number of tests from as many different direc-
tions as possible. A simple flaw locating rule can be made
and tedious calculations can be avoided. On a piece of semi
transparent paper (tracing paper can be used) two parallel
lines are drawn, the distance between these two being the
thickness of the ~art being tested as shown in Fig. 69A. On
the L.H. side, a point on the top surface is marked as
'zero'. Distance (5 mm marks would do) are marked on the
top line increasing towards R.H. side. From 'zero' a line
1s drawn representing the axis of the sound beam till it
touches the bottom surface and returns to the top. Dis-
tances are marked at 5 mm intervals along -this Iine.

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 Fig. 69

Now on another paper, a sketch is drawn to scale 1:1 showing the

cross section of the weld as shown in (fig. 69(B)). While scan-
ning, when a defect echo appears on the screen, the beam
path at which the echo appears and the distance of the probe to
the nearest edge ·of · the weld are noted.
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 Fig. 70
Now the semi-transparent paper is placed on the sketch . of the
weld cross-section in such a way that the distance between 'zero'
on the top horizontal line and the weld edge, is the same as th0.
measur~d distance between probe center to the edge of weld as
shown in fig. 70. · The position of the flaw can be ascertained
by following the slanted line (beam path) to the distance as
measured on the CRT.

In addition to fhis scanning, the weld may also be scanned for

the detection of transverse defects. A large angle probe (70 deg)
placed alongside the weld edge as shown in fig (71) and at a
small angle to the weld axis will direct the sound beam into th0.
weld for detec~ion of transve~se defects. The scanning is to be
done from both sides of the weld.

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 Some other common weld joint preparations and scanning
techniques are given below.
(1). Double 'v' butt-joint :

If accessible this double 'v' butt joint may be scanned from

all four sides as shown in fig(72). The angle of the prob~
should be such that the sound beam hits the bevel face at
around 90 deg.

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 Fig. 72
l2). 'J'Type joint

This type of edge preparation with 0 deg or very small bevel

angle 1s ' used for joining large thickness members.As th~
plane of expected lack-of-fusion between parent metal and
weld metal is almost vertical,the weld may also be testerl
us1ng .q he 'tandem' technique. (Ref fig. 73) In this . tech-
nique. two angl~ prob~s in ta~dem (with fixed distanc~
between them) can b~ used to detect defects oriented in the
vertical plane. Yndications will be present on the
screen.only when the sound beam is reflected by the defect
to the re·ceiving probe.

Different config~rations of probe arrangement may b~ re-

qui~ed to completely test the weld.

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 Fig. 73
(3). 'T' type weld joint :

When section thicknesses of this type of full penetration

joint are large,it can be tested using a normal an~ an angle
probe as shown in fig(74l. Normal probe can detect lack-of-
fusion between member A and the weld. Angle probe can detect
lack-of-fusion between member B and the weld along the weld
bevels.

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