RADIOGRAPHIC TESTING OF WELD JOINTS

(As per API-1104, 20th Edition & EWPL100-P30-J00-505)

9.3 ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
API
Clause
no.

Type of Defect

9.3.1

Acceptance Limit
Parameter

Individual

Inadequate Penetration
without Hi-Low (IP)

Length

25mm

25mm in 300mm of continuous weld

OR 8% of weld length in any weld
less than 300mm in length.

9.3.2

Inadequate Penetration
due to Hi-Low (IPD)

Length

50mm

75mm in 300mm of continuous weld

9.3.3

Inadequate Cross
Penetration (ICP)

Length

50mm

50mm in 300mm of continuous weld

9.3.4

Incomplete Fusion (IF)

Length

9.3.5

Incomplete Fusion due

to Cold Lap (IFD)

Length

9.3.6

Internal Concavity (IC)

Density

Burn Through (BT)

Dia. &
Density

9.3.7.2

9.3.8.2

Aggregate

25mm in 300mm of continuous weld

OR 8% of weld length in any weld
less than 300mm in length.
50mm in 300mm of continuous weld
50mm
OR 8% of weld length in any weld
less than 300mm in length
Density of IC exceeds that of the thinnest adjacent
parent material then 9.3.7.2 will follow.
- density exceeds that of the thinnest
6mm
adjacent parent material
Sum of max dimensions of separate
BTs 13mm in any continuous 300mm
of weld, whose density exceeds that
of the thinnest adjacent parent
material.
25mm

Elongated Slag
Inclusion (ESI)

Length

50mm

50mm in continuous 300mm of weld

Width

1.6mm

Isolated Slag Inclusion

(ISI)

Length

13mm in continuous 300mm of weld

Width

3.0 mm

Indications
In case of Single V joint - A dark line at the centre of
the weld will appear, width of the line will be the width
of root gap.
A dark line, width equals the root gap, at the centre of
the weld will appear. Moreover the density on the
both sides of the parent materials will varies.
In CRC, or J Bevel, if a dark, width equals the root
gap, at the centre of the weld will be appear.
A dark line will appear at the root fusion line.
A dark line will be appear at the fusion line for weld
metal & parent metal. But it is very difficult to detect
an Incomplete fusion between two weld layers.
A wide dark line with rounded edges will appear at
the center of the weld.
A circular dark indication, diameter grater than the
root gap will appear at the center of the weld.

A irregular dark line, continuous or broken, along the

fusion line of the weld will appear on the radiographs.
Irregularly shaped, located anywhere in the weld.

ESI + ISI
9.3.9.2

9.3.9.3

Porosity (P)

Cluster Porosity (CP)

Nos.

Length

Dia.

3mm
25% of
TWT

Dia.

Length

Length

4 Nos. with max. width 3mm in

continuous 300mm of weld length

8% of the total weld length

(TWT = Thinnest Wall Thickness)
Dia. of Cluster 13mm

13mm in continuous 300mm of weld

50mm in continuous 300mm of weld
13mm
OR 8% of the weld length
Individual 6mm & separated by less than 50mm

9.3.9.4

Hollow Bead (HB)

9.3.10

Crack (C)

9.3.11

UndercutExternal/Internal
(EU/IU)

Length

50mm in continuous 300mm of weld

OR 1/6 of the weld length

9.3.12

Accumulation of
Imperfections

Length

50mm in continuous 300mm of weld

OR 8% of the weld length

Rounded indication anywhere on the radiographs.

Groups of rounded indications, located anywhere on

the radiograph.
Regular shaped dark indications at the center of the
weld.

Not Allowed at all

An irregular dark line at fusion line at the Root bead
or at the cap bead.