Understanding Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance Criteria

Part of the duties of a welding inspector is to have an

understanding of what quality of welding is acceptable to
the criteria being used.

In the CSWIP 3.1 exam the candidate will be expected to

show that he or she has the ability and knowledge
necessary to achieve this.

The following slides are an explanation of the acceptance

criteria used for plate and pipe which is used on the
practical part of the course.
 Excess Weld Metal

Excess weld metal

not to exceed 3mm in
height in any area

3mm
 Underfill

At no point shall the excess metal fall below

the outside surface of the parent metal
 Slag Inclusions

The length of the slag inclusion shall not exceed 20mm

in length continuously or intermittent Accumulative
totals shall not exceed 50 mm

20

15 15 15
 Undercut

The length of any undercut shall not exceed 20mm

continuous or intermittent. Accumulative totals shall not
exceed 50mm. Max Depth = 2mm for the cap weld metal.

30mm 20mm

No sharp Max Depth = 2mm

indications
Smooth blend
required
 Root Undercut

Root undercut not permitted

Root Undercut
 Porosity

Individual pores ≥ 1mm max . Cluster porosity maximum

202mm total area. Elongated, piping or wormholes15mm max
length continuous or intermittent.

202mm 1mm max

15mm max
 Cracks or Laminations

Not permitted
 Lack of Fusion

Surface breaking lack of side wall fusion, lack of inter-run

fusion continuous or intermittent not to exceed 35mm.
Accumulative totals not to exceed 35mm over a 300mm length
of weld.

35 mm max over a
lack of side 300 mm length
wall fusion
and underfill

35 mm
35 mm
 Arc Strikes

Only one permitted

 Mechanical Damage
Parent material must be smoothly blended Max Depth = 2mm
Only 1 location allowed No stray tack welds permitted
Grinding Marks Chisel
Chisel Marks
Marks

Tack
weld

Mechanical damage
 Misalignment

Maximum height = 2mm

 Root penetration

Max Height = ≤ 2mm

Max penetration Height allowed ≤ 2mm

 Lack root penetration

Not permitted

Lack of root penetration

 Lack root fusion

Lack of root fusion, not to exceed 30mm total continuous or

accumulative

30 mm maximum total or accumulative

30mm

10mm 20mm
 Burn Through

Not permitted

Burn through
 Angular Distortion

3mm max. Plate only

Angular distortion
 Root Concavity

35mm maximum length

2mm maximum depth

Maximum depth 2 mm

35 mm