Fracture tests are conducted to qualify a welder by the examination of fracture

surfaces of a weld metal rather than using expensive macroscopic examination. The
procedure is applied in order to assess the quality of test weld made by a welder.
Although standards elucidate the test procedure, test location, technique, dimensions
and type of specimen. There are two types of fracture tests; Fillet weld fracture and
Butt weld fracture in which a notch is machined on the weld metal that enables the
specimen to fracture easily. Following are the critical points regarding these tests.
Nature and dimensions of Test specimens
Number of tests
Location of test
What is the method and technique for making fracture
Weld defects that ought to be detected
Job description of an inspector

Butt Weld Fracture

The procedure is applied to observe the fracture piece of groove weld in order to
detect the weld imperfections. Common problems like solid inclusion (slag, flux, and
oxide), porosity and lack of fusion which have severe effects on groove weld, can be
detected by simply breaking the test weld. No other technique like radiography is used
that
may
be
expensive.
Also See How to reduce concentration of weld porosity?
Test specimens taken from the groove weld are notched in order to take fracture path
from the middle of the weld. That is why it is also known by a term Nick Break Test
in industries. The techniques that are used to cause fracture are; three point bending
and hammering. You can split the weld parts by simply hammering or on the other, if
the test piece is supported on two points and the load is applied from the above,
required breakage is obtained.
Fillet Weld Fracture
With the same procedure and objective as in butt weld fracture, fillet weld fractures
are used to qualify a welder for fillet test welds. Fracture is made to find out the weld
imperfections that may harm fillet weld. Defects like porosity, lack of penetration,
solid inclusion are observed on fracture surface of split parts.

Dimensions and nature of test piece are specified by the standards and codes and
required specimen is obtained accordingly. A notch of specific profile is indented on
the weld. Normally the shapes of notch are;
V-shaped
Square profile
U-shaped
Specimen are placed in specific direction or clamped is special tools to achieve the
required fracture through throat. After placement, hammering or pressing is applied
and the split parts are ready for examination.
What is the job of Inspector?
Inspector must have a close examination throughout the procedure. After observing
the splitting/ breakage, he must identify the weld defects with great care. It is essential
that he has work experience about determining the imperfections on the fracture
surface and assisting others to conduct the procedure in right way. Moreover he
should give a systematic report containing meaningful information about;
The shape of fracture
Imperfections and their types
Position of imperfections on Butt/Fillet weld surface