Detection and Disposition Reliability of Ultrasonics and Radiography for Weld Inspection

Abstract

Since the 1940’s, the U.S. Navy has used radiography (RT) as the inspection method for structural welds. The major advantage of radiography compared to other inspection techniques is the availability of objective quality evidence, the radiograph, as a permanent record of the inspection. Radiography has gained precedence as the inspection method to prescribe for critical welds because this permanent record is perceived to evince all discontinuities and the disposition of discontinuities is perceived to be highly accurate. This technique and the criteria used to accept or reject discontinuities have generally proved adequate, although technical limitations have been identified [1].