To ensure quality welds, it is important to have a quality weld inspection program in place. In order to do so, a company must understand how to evaluate weld characteristics, determine weld quality, and have a welding inspector capable of performing a number of different testing methods. Ensuring that welders follow specific procedures is a crucial step in the overall welding quality system. There are a number of reasons to inspect a weld, the most fundamental of which is to determine whether its quality is good enough for its intended application. To evaluate the quality of a weld, it is necessary to have a form of measurement to compare its characteristics and a qualified individual to perform the evaluation. It is not practical to evaluate quality without some form of specified acceptance criteria. It's also not practical for a person who is not well-versed in the necessary procedures to perform this task. Evaluation of weld characteristics includes the size of the weld and the presence of discontinuities. The size of a weld can be extremely important, as it often correlates directly to strength and associated performance. Undersized welds may not withstand stresses applied during service, and oversized welds can produce stress concentrations or contribute to the potential for distortion of a welded component. Uncovering weld discontinuities also is important because imperfections within or adjacent the weld, depending on their size or location, may prevent the weld from meeting its intended function. When discontinuities are an unacceptable size or in an unacceptable location, they are called welding defects, and they can cause premature weld failure by reducing strength or producing stress concentrations within the welded component. | 