Whether you work in nuclear, manufacturing and fabrication, pharmaceutical, or anything else in between, you need to have everything you are welding inspected by a professional. Of course, this professional should have the knowledge and expertise of your industry, but how do they know they do? Just because they say they do?
In this guide, we explain the Weld Inspection Services available. And we’ll talk about why it’s necessary and what qualifications your inspector should have. This helps ensure your brand is viewed as a top welding company and gives your customers and potential customers peace of mind when working with you.
What Are Weld Inspection Services?
Weld Inspection Services examine welded products and materials to ensure quality, safety, strength, and other factors deemed necessary by the industry. Weld inspections are an excellent way to detect any flaws in the product.
The quality of your welding is directly tied to the integrity of your business. Subpar quality will likely lead to your product’s and your business’s failure. Having an outside party inspect for defects lets your clients know you are meeting quality assurance standards.
Weld inspection services can be done on-site or at an inspector’s lab. Weld inspection services include ASME, AWS, ISO, NADCAP, API, AWWA, MILStandard, and AISC.
When Should You Get These Services?
It is best to have someone inspect your work before, during, and after the welding process. By having someone check your welding before the project begins, they can ensure the welder has all the proper tools to complete the job as expected. When you have an inspector present during the welding, they can look for clues that indicate a problem before the welding is complete. And, of course, it is good to have an inspector confirm the project meets task specifications and strength requirements after the welding.
It is essential to detect any problems with your weld before they get serious. When you can catch a problem soon after it occurs, it can often be fixed with little cost or time lost. This is why it’s essential to have an inspector evaluate your weld quality through every step of the process.
The Qualifications of a Weld Inspector
A certified weld inspector will have a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing or engineering. They should also have two years of job experience in the field. It is recommended you work with an inspector who has an AWS certification.
Steps and Proper Tools
You should expect a qualified weld inspector to follow five steps during a visual weld inspection.
- Check heat input
- Watch the root pass (they should be looking for any susceptibility to cracking)
- Inspect each weld pass
- Check for craters
- Check weld size and sequence
As for the proper tools, your weld inspector will most likely use a weld gauge, a height gauge, and a surface roughness comparator.
Welding Certificates
When you hire a certified welding inspector, you and your customers know the materials you produce are quality. We offer three-volume AWS Prequalified booklets that feature all the necessary code requirements for production standards for Shield Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, and Flux-cored Arc Welding. These booklets can help the inspection process go faster and smoother because they will give you more than 50 joint configurations utilized during the welding process. They give you all the knowledge you would have if you were to get certified as a welding inspector.
Here’s What to Look for in a Company that Provides These Services
By now, you know it is worth hiring a certified company that knows to weld. But you also want to work with a company that can help you if there is a problem. This is where ETMS comes in.
We are a global leader in nondestructive welding testing, welding inspection, and quality program development. We can help you determine a quality solution if your materials have an issue.
ETMS also provides CWI Inspection and Training, NDT Inspection, and training in Ultrasonic, Visual, Magnetic Particle, and Penetrant Testing. So get started on your path to quality welding inspection, training, and consulting services with us.
