ASME BPVC.VIII.
3-2021
Figure KE-321
Illustration of Welded Joint Locations Typical of Categories A, B, C, and D
head, or within the side plates13 of a flat‐sided vessel; and
circumferential welded joints connecting hemispherical
heads to main shells, to transitions in diameter, to noz-
zles, or to communicating chambers.
(b) Category B Locations. Category B locations are cir-
cumferential welded joints within the main shell, commu-
nicating chambers, nozzles, or transitions in diameter,
including joints between the transition and a cylinder at
either the large or small end; and circumferential welded
joints connecting formed heads other than hemispherical
to main shells, to transitions in diameter, to nozzles, or to
communicating chambers.
(c) Category C Locations. Category C locations are
welded joints connecting flanges, tubesheets, or flat heads
to the main shell, to formed heads, to transitions in dia-
meter, to nozzles, or to communicating chambers; and
any welded joint connecting one side plate to another side
plate of a flat‐sided vessel.
(d) Category D Locations. Category D locations are
welded joints connecting communicating chambers or
nozzles to main shells, to spheres, to transitions in dia-
meter, to heads, or to flat‐sided vessels; and nozzles at
the small end of a transition in diameter and those joints
connecting nozzles to communicating chambers.
KE-322 WELD JOINTS
The entire length of all Categories A, B, C, and D weld
joints shall be ultrasonically examined in accordance with
KE-300. Where ultrasonic examination test results cannot
be conclusively interpreted, radiographic examination of
that area shall be carried out in accordance with
KE-101. The external and accessible internal weld sur-
faces and adjacent base material for at least 1/2 in.
(13 mm) on each side of the weld shall be examined by
either the magnetic particle or liquid penetrant method.
226
KE-323 WELD BUILDUP DEPOSITS AT OPENINGS
FOR NOZZLES, BRANCH, AND PIPING
CONNECTIONS
When weld buildup deposits are made to a surface, the
weld buildup deposit, the fusion zone, and the parent me-
tal beneath the weld buildup deposit shall be ultrasoni-
cally examined. See KE-333 for acceptance standards.
KE-324 ATTACHMENT WELDS
Attachment welds made to pressure-retaining material
shall be examined by either the magnetic particle or liquid
penetrant method. See KE-334 for acceptance standards.
KE-325 WELDS FOR MEMBRANE SEALS
Membrane seal welds shall be examined by either the
magnetic particle or liquid penetrant method.
KE-330 ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
KE-331 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Acceptance standards for welds shall be as stated in the
following paragraphs, while the acceptance standards for
material adjacent to the weld or beneath the weld or weld
buildup shall be as stated in Article KE-2.
KE-332 RADIOGRAPHIC ACCEPTANCE
STANDARDS
Welds that are shown by radiography to have any of the
following types of imperfections are unacceptable:
(a) any type of crack or zone of incomplete fusion or
penetration
(b) any other linear indication which has a length great-
er than
(1) 1/4 in. (6 mm) for t up to 3/4 in. (19 mm), inclusive
(where t is the thickness of the thinner portion of the
plate being welded)
(2) t /3 for t over 3/4 in. (19 mm) to 21/4 in. (57 mm),
inclusive