Visual inspection, or visual testing as it’s also known, is a method of non-destructive testing, used to assess the quality of welds in accordance to BS EN 5817 / ASME standards. This method allows you to identify any detrimental or chemical damage to the material and identifies defects after the weld is completed.
Visual testing is an inexpensive method of evaluating the condition of weld joints but it requires a high degree of skill and experience to critically detect any flaws. Welding inspectors use visual inspection methods to look for any surface breaks in the weld. Visual inspection requires great vision and good lighting, but testing can be enhanced with other magnifying equipment such as glasses, cameras, mirrors and borescopes. Other NDT methods are often used in conjunction with visual testing to capture issues that may go undetected by the naked eye.
Here at Tech Inspections, we can conduct various non-destructive tests, including visual inspection, to highlight defects or imperfections in the weld. Contact us today to speak to one of our team and we may be able to offer a 24-hour turnaround on service.
How Visual Inspection Works
Before Welding
Our welding inspector will carefully look through drawings and check the procedure fits with the codes. They will assess the weld position and the alignment of fixtures. They will also check the condition of the materials for contaminants such as rust, and will review the equipment being used for damage.
During Welding
During welding, our inspectors will check weld sequence, inspect each weld pass and ensure cleaning between and check electrodes for size.
Visual inspection requires in-depth knowledge of potential defects and how to prevent them. We provide inspection services to various industries but we also offer training to help welders improve the quality of their welds. We have a detailed practical and theoretical syllabus that shows welders how to use inspection equipment as well as teaching them the expectation from the codes and about the different types of imperfections. If you would like to find out more about our course, get in touch using our contact form.
