Welds are critical components of many structures and products, from automobiles to bridges. They must be inspected to ensure that they meet standards and are safe to use. Radiography (x-ray) is one of the most reliable non-destructive testing methods for examining welds. It detects hidden flaws and discontinuities such as cracks, porosity & blowholes, slag, flux or oxide inclusions, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration, and mismatch.
Welding Defects
X-rays are one of the most versatile and widely used inspection methods. They can be used to look at almost any material that is opaque to ordinary light. The rays pass through the material and produce a photographic record of the internal conditions. This allows weld soundness to be determined. Good welds will be smooth to the touch, have a uniform thickness, and have no slag. They will also have no undercutting, which results in less spatter. Bad welds have slag on them, a lot of undercutting and can burn through both sides of the metal being welded. They will also tend to form tiny hairs or whiskers over time that make them prone to rusting.
Welding Qualification
Welding is a critical component of many industrial projects. This is especially true for pressure vessels, pipelines, structural components, and lifting equipment. In order to comply with technical specifications and qualifications, welded metal items often need to be tested by non-destructive testing (NDT). These include bend tests, Radio graphic (x-ray) inspection, and visual examinations of the welds. X-ray testing is one of the most effective ways to detect cracks, pores, voids, and inclusions. It is important to use a professional to conduct this testing.
Cost
X-raying your welds when welding is essential to ensure that you are constructing quality products that will last. These inspections can save you money in the long run by ensuring that you don’t waste time and money on defective materials. However, x-raying your welds can be on the pricier side. This is because the process uses a radioactive isotope that emits gamma rays or X-rays. And while this type of testing is costly, it is the best way to detect defects.