Weld inspection
What Do Welds Do?
Welding is a fabrication process that uses extreme heat to fuse together metal and other materials into a joint.
In a weld, a base or parent metal is melted down and combined with a filler material in what is known as the weld pool. This pool is then cooled and attached to a second piece to create a joint that is stronger and sturdier than the original material on its own.
Welders and weld inspection experts are needed across a number of industries, including:
- Aerospace
- Amusement Parks
- Automobiles
- Construction
- Infrastructure
- Military
- Manufacturing
- Railroads
- Ship & Boat Building
vWhy Is A Weld Inspection Important?
Weld inspection takes place before, during, and after the welding process, emphasizing safety at every stage. When performed correctly, weld inspection should catch any and all weld discontinuities before a piece even leaves the shop or factory.
Before and during the weld, proper weld inspection consists of keeping workers safe and ensuring regulatory compliance. After the weld is complete, weld inspection keeps civilians protected by making sure no product with a faulty weld enters public use.
Annual inspection of welds that experience high stress is also an aspect of weld inspection, though such procedures are usually part of a separate, comprehensive safety protocol.
Welding is an occupation with a number of inherent dangers that weld inspectors help workers avoid. Both the heat and light of various welding energy sources can be dangerous, causing burns or eye damage if proper precautions are not taken. Welders typically wear personal protective equipment like masks, goggles, gloves or fireproof jackets to minimize their exposure to these hazards.
Other welding risks include the inhalation of dangerous gasses and working in unusual environments like factories, underwater, or even outer space.
By ensuring that workers are following the strict safety procedures laid out by their regulatory bodies or workplace, and by not letting any faulty products enter the public sphere, weld inspectors aim to prevent safety issues before they ever occur.
Because they are required to understand a variety of processes including welding symbols, welding design, safety codes, and weld testing, most weld inspectors are formally qualified by the American Welding Society or another similar certifying board.
SOLUTIONS offer CSWIP, PCN, and CWI welding specialist expertise to provide a comprehensive range of welding inspection and monitoring services