Chapter 10

General NDE Requirements: API 570,

API 577 and ASME B31.3
10.1 Introduction to API 577
API 577 is a recommended practice to give guidance on the
welding inspection and metallurgy aspects encountered in the
fabrication and repair of refinery and chemical plant
equipment and piping. This section is to familiarize you
with the non-destructive examination (NDE) methods
contained in API 577 section 9.
NDE is used to check for imperfections in a component
without destroying it. There are five main methods of NDE
covered in API 577:
. Visual testing: VT
. Penetrant testing: PT
. Magnetic testing: MT
. Radiographic testing: RT
. Ultrasonic testing: UT
Each method can utilize several different techniques requir-
ing different skill levels in their application and interpretation
of the results obtained. We will look at the basic NDE
methods covered in API 577, as these are the ones likely to be
referred to in the API examination.
Section 9.1: discontinuities
API 577 works under the assumption that the purpose of an
NDE technique is to find discontinuities. Note this terminol-
ogy; a discontinuity is a finding, which may (or may not) be
serious enough to be classified as a defect. This API use of the
term discontinuity is not exactly 100 % consistent with its use
in other codes, but is near enough.
Several NDE methods can be used to ensure welds do not
contain discontinuities that are in excess of their code

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