Non-destructive examination (NDE) confirms that welds and materials meet the acceptance criteria of the applicable code without damaging the part. At World Steel, NDT is carried out by in-house personnel as an integrated step of fabrication, so that results feed directly into production and repairs are made before members leave the shop.
NDE methods
| Method | What it finds | Typical reference standards |
|---|---|---|
| Visual testing (VT) | Surface imperfections, weld size and profile; applied to all welds | ISO 17637; AWS D1.5 / D1.1 visual criteria |
| Magnetic particle testing (MT) | Surface and near-surface cracks in ferromagnetic steel | ISO 17638; ASTM E709 |
| Penetrant testing (PT) | Surface-breaking cracks and porosity | ISO 3452-1; ASTM E165/E165M |
| Ultrasonic testing (UT, PAUT) | Internal imperfections in butt and T-joints, lack of fusion | ISO 17640, ISO 11666, ISO 13588 (phased array); AWS D1.5 ultrasonic testing clauses |
| Radiographic testing (RT) | Internal volumetric imperfections in butt welds | ISO 17636-1; ASTM E94/E94M |
The NDE process
- Define the extent Methods, extent and acceptance levels are taken from the code and the specification, for example the execution class under EN 1090-2 or the type of member and joint (for example tension or fracture-critical members) under AWS D1.5, and written into the ITP.
- Write the procedure Each method is applied with a written NDT procedure suitable for the joint geometry, thickness and material.
- Examine at the right time Testing is carried out after the hold time required for the material and weld, and after any post-weld treatment.
- Evaluate and report Indications are evaluated against the acceptance criteria and recorded in a report that identifies the weld, the method, the operator and the result.
- Repair and re-test Rejected welds are repaired to an approved procedure and examined again with the same method.
- Hand over records NDT reports and personnel certificates become part of the manufacturing record book.
Our in-house NDT team
NDT is performed by World Steel's own technicians. Their qualification and certification, by method and level under internationally recognised schemes such as ISO 9712 or ASNT SNT-TC-1A, are documented for every project: copies of the certificates of the personnel assigned are submitted with the ITP and are available to the client and third-party inspectors for review. Independent testing by a third party can be arranged where the specification requires it.
Final member sizes, details and specifications are determined by the engineer of record for each project. This page describes general practice and does not replace project-specific engineering.
This content is general information and may not reflect the requirements of a specific project or jurisdiction.