Versatility, portability, flexibility and low cost are key reasons why the arc welding process is widely used. Due to the various ways that this technique is applied in industries and architectural structures, it is crucial that weld integrity is maintained and that strict standards and quality are enforced. Welding and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) go hand in hand, and welding techniques would not be acceptable if there were no way to evaluate the resulting welds without destroying them. At the same time, if it were not for the wide need for welding, the demand for NDE would be greatly reduced.
Defects usually are classified into two categories: major flaws that can cause failure and minor variances that have no effect on the manufactured part. Today’s manufacturers are constantly managing material costs, yield, efficiency and quality to improve profitability, acquire and retain clients and mitigate liability costs. The costs of shipping defective product are difficult to quantify. However, the risks and costs associated with repairs, loss of customers, or subsequent legal action are potentially huge—they are the main impetus for installing NDT equipment in the first place.