Conclusion

This article describes general destructive testing of welded joints. Before carrying out these destructive tests, it is advisable to refer to the standards and codes in use in the country concerned and for the welded fabrication in question. Destructive tests on welded joints, as on solid materials, must be carried out according to the rules of the trade, in compliance with the standards and codes in force. All destructive tests must be documented by a test report. As mentioned in this article, there are other destructive tests applicable to welded assemblies. The most commonly used are the subject of a separate article. Very specific destructive tests linked to welding processes (resistance welding) or to the mechanical behavior or in-service expectations of the part: fatigue testing on welded assemblies, crack propagation testing (CTOD), etc., have not been covered in this article. For...