Method of non-destructive testing when checking welded joints

All crane equipment and other types of metal structures in the manufacture must undergo quality control of welded joints by non-destructive testing. This method has a number of advantages, the main of which is the absence of violations of the integrity of the products and its characteristics for further safe operation. It allows you to timely identify deviations from the standards, defects of various origins, determine the parameters of the seams and more.

The method of non-destructive testing has several types. For testing metal structures, as a rule, acoustic, namely ultrasonic, and visual measuring are used.

The first method is called ultrasonic flaw detection. The essence of his work is the penetration of sound waves into the test material through a special converter. If defects are detected during the inspection, sound waves are reflected from the material boundary. The results are analyzed and recorded on the verification device. With their help, a specialist can conclude that there are various kinds of deviations in the quality of the welded joint.

The visual measuring method, as the name implies, implies a visual inspection of the surface by the inspector for visible flaws: cracks, corrosion, etc. During the inspection, it is recommended to use optical instruments to better assess the surface quality of the product.

The need for quality control of welds is fixed in regulatory documents, such as RD-36-62-00 . According to it, tests should be carried out in laboratories certified in accordance with the established procedure. Manufacturing plants can contact a third-party organization that provides this service or organize their own laboratory on the basis of a production site. The second option is financially feasible in the presence of a constant large production load. In both cases, the laboratory must have a Certificate of certification, which is issued by independent bodies after passing a strict inspection of the quality of welding work and the level of qualification of laboratory staff. The Certificate ensures that the laboratory meets the requirements of the Rostechnadzor Non-Destructive Testing System and has the right to conduct specialized tests.

The Gruzopodyem plant has its own certified laboratory for non-destructive testing of welded joints. This division checks the quality of welds at all stages of production: from the input control during the supply of raw materials for welding to the inspection of the finished product. The results are recorded and provided to clients if necessary.

The quality of welding work and welded joints directly affects the strength and reliability of the structure. Non-compliance of the welds with the specified characteristics can lead to the destruction of the product. Due to the presence of their own laboratory, factories have the opportunity to more carefully monitor the results of welding processes and ship high-quality equipment to their customers.