NDT methods for flaw detection during welding

There would be major benefits if non-destructive testing could be applied to detect flaws as an on-line process during welding. The time, cost and programme delay associated with weld repairs would decrease, and quality would improve. This paper describes a major project, partly funded by the European Commission under the Brite-Euram programme, to develop and demonstrate ultrasonic, radioscopic and signal processing techniques for flaw detection during welding. Trials are being performed on deliberately defective welded specimens, representing various stages during the welding process, at elevated temperatures. Final demonstration trials will be performed in a welding environment.