To the Question of Assessing the Sensitivity of Ultrasonic Testing of Welded Joints of Energy Industry Objects

The standards of evaluating welded joints based on the results of nondestructive ultrasonic testing are described. The results of calculating the optimum sensitivity of ultrasonic testing that implements the specified evaluation standards are presented. Samples of welded joints based are investigated in nondestructive tests by the ultrasonic echo technique. The results of these tests are compared with data from a metallographic analysis of the samples in which defects such as wormholes, root lack of penetration, and pitting corrosion were revealed. Recommendations are given on optimizing the sensitivity of ultrasonic testing in order to objectively assess detected discontinuities in welded joints, taking the existing criteria for assessing quality based on testing results into account.