Inspection Trends: Magnetic Particle Examination

FEBRUARY 2020 / VOL. 23 / NO.
Inspection
Trends
THE MAGAZINE FOR MATERIALS INSPECTION AND TESTING PERSONNEL
Magnetic Particle
Examination AWS.ORG
Welding Variables in
Procedure Qualification
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY TO ADVANCE THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND APPLICATION OF WELDING
AND ALLIED JOINING AND CUTTING PROCESSES WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING BRAZING, SOLDERING, AND THERMAL SPRAYING
FEBRUARY 2020 / VOL. 23 / NO. 1
Inspection
Trends
THE MAGAZINE FOR MATERIALS INSPECTION AND TESTING PERSONNEL
Features
Magnetic Particle Examination

by Bob Wiswesser / This article provides a practical approach to
inspection of welds through painted surfaces using magnetic
particle examination. Learn about the fundamentals and
challenges of this examination process, along with a suggested
yoke method procedure / 16
16
Cover photo: Magnetic particle examination through

a painted surface. (Photo courtesy of John Wright.)
Welding Variables in Procedure Qualification
by Paul L. Sturgill / The different categories of welding variables
used for qualifying welding procedures are discussed. This includes
INSPECTION TRENDS (ISSN 1523-7168 Print) essential variables, and the ranges for which they are qualified,
(ISSN 2689-0631 Online) is published quarterly by the nonessential variables or those that function as nonessential
American Welding Society. Editorial and advertising
offices are located at 8669 NW 36 St., #130, Miami, FL
variables, and supplementary essential variables for applications
33166; telephone (305) 443-9353. Printed by R. R. requiring toughness / 20
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AWS MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the American Welding Society is to advance
the science, technology, and application of welding and Print and Product ......................10 Classifieds ..................................26
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AWS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
STATEMENT Mark Your Calendar ..................14
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February 2020 / Inspection Trends 3

Editorial
Publisher
Annette Alonso, [email protected]
Editorial
There’s so much going on,
in a good way Editor
Carlos Guzman, [email protected]
Dear Readers,
Senior Editor
Cindy Weihl, [email protected]
Welcome to the first Inspection Trends issue
of 2020. I just came back from Houston, Tex., Features Editor
after attending the inaugural Inspection Expo Kristin Campbell, [email protected]
Carlos Guzman & Conference, where experts from the Ameri-
Editor of Inspection Associate Editor
Trends
can Welding Society (AWS), American Insti-
tute of Steel Construction, The American Soci- Katie Pacheco, [email protected]
ety for Nondestructive Testing, and NACE In- Education Editor
ternational (The Corrosion Society) joined forces on a wide range of Roline Pascal, [email protected]
topics common to corrosion engineering, nondestructive examination,
steel construction, and welding inspection. The three-day event was a
success, with more than 380 attendees, 55 exhibitors, and 43 sessions. Design and Production
Please look for the full coverage of the conference in the May 2020 is- Production Manager
sue of Inspection Trends. But if I can give you now a little highlight of Zaida Chavez, [email protected]
the conference, the biggest takeaway for me was to see how coating,
corrosion, fabrication, and welding inspections interact with one an- Assistant Production Manager
other, and to see how AWS Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs) are so Brenda Flores, [email protected]
interested in getting involved with these other inspection fields out-
side of welding. Manager of International Periodicals
and Electronic Media
This month, we are bringing you two feature articles. Magnetic par-
Carlos Guzman, [email protected]
ticle examination is a staple visual inspection method, and examining
welds through painted surfaces is a job many CWIs encounter daily. In
this article, Bob Wiswesser offers fundamentals, challenges, and de- Advertising
tailed steps on how to perform this procedure successfully. Whether
you are an expert on this method or just getting started, I think you Media Sales Executives
Lea Owen, [email protected]
will find value in this article.
Sandra Jorgensen, [email protected]
The second feature, by Paul L. Sturgill, explains the different cate-
gories of welding variables used for qualifying welding procedures. We Subscriptions Representative
often cover the topic of welding procedure specifications because they Sonia Aleman, [email protected]
are a critical part of the welding and inspection processes. This article
goes into great detail about essential variables, and how nonessential American Welding Society
variables are as necessary, then how supplementary essential variables 8669 NW 36 St., #130
for applications requiring toughness considerations become essential Miami, FL 33166-6672
as well. (800/305) 443-9353
We have a collection of articles prepared for you this year. In May, as
mentioned, we will cover the inaugural Inspection Expo & Conference Copyright
at length (I can’t wait to share with you all the wealth of information I Copyright © 2020 by American Welding Society in both
gathered at the conference) and, in depth, the critical topic of demag- printed and electronic formats. The Society is not responsi-
ble for any statement made or opinion expressed herein.
netization. In August, we will cover submerged arc welding inspection Data and information developed by the authors of specific
articles are for informational purposes only and are not
and auditing, plus weld quality. And in November, we are bringing you intended for use without independent, substantiating
two of the most popular topics in the CWI world: visual inspection and investigation on the part of potential users.
inspection tools.
In addition to these planned topics, I’m looking to include subjects
such as robotics, digitization, and new technologies in welding inspec-
tion, as well as presenting coverage of those tangential inspection areas
that might fall right outside of welding but are intrinsically related,
such as corrosion, coating, and fabrication. There’s so much going on in
the world of inspection, but in a good way.
4 Inspection Trends / February 2020

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News Bulletins
Phoenix Showcases Neutron Image Quality achievement is the culmination of years of work by the com-
pany’s engineers to mitigate industry concerns on the avail-
at Nondestructive Examination Facility ability of neutron radiography.
ASTM Category I images are the highest image quality lev-
el specified by ASTM E545, the well-known standard for
defining the quality of neutron radiographs. The high neu-
tron output of the PNIC system allows the company to ex-
ceed the annual throughput of reactor facilities with an
equivalent level of image quality.
The 10,000-sq-ft neutron imaging services facility will
provide neutron activation analysis, radiation effects testing,
neutron (n-ray), and x-ray imaging. The company’s 50,000-
sq-ft corporate headquarters will also be located on the same
site and allowing Phoenix to meet the increasing demand for
accelerator systems and employ an estimated additional 50
Phoenix President Evan Sengbusch displays the neutron imaging bay full-time professionals over the next several years.
in its final stages of construction during the Phoenix Neutron Imaging
Center grand opening ceremony.
Lenox Instrument Commemorates 100 Years

Phoenix LLC, Madison, Wis., a nuclear technology company,
has stated it demonstrated the capability to take ASTM Cate- Lenox Instrument Co., Trevose, Pa., a manufacturer of re-
gory I neutron radiographs at its accelerator-based industrial mote visual inspection/monitoring instruments, is celebrating
radiography facility, the Phoenix Neutron Imaging Center its 100th anniversary.
(PNIC), which opened in October 2019. This technical The company started in 1920 with the development of

the industrial (AM) technologies. This partnership supports knowledge
borescope used for in- sharing and the growing use of AM technologies across
ternal inspections of many industry sectors.
steam turbines and “To unleash the full potential of AM, we need a smart global
continued into the ecosystem of research, standardization, education, testing, and
early 1940s designing certification,” said Mohsen Seifi, director of global additive
and manufacturing manufacturing programs at ASTM International. “We are
borescopes and pleased to sign this MOU, which aligns two globally recognized
periscopes for the war organizations’ complementary strengths and will help create a
effort. In 1942, Lenox robust technical foundation for AM innovation across many
began production of a industries.”
new borescope for the The memorandum was signed at Formnext 2019, an an-
first nuclear applica- nual AM conference and exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany.
tion, the Manhattan The partnership will include joint development of new edu-
Established in 1920, Lenox Instrument
Project. Continued de- cational, advisory, qualification, and certification services in
Co. marks its 100th anniversary this velopment in the early several areas, including land transportation and mobility, air
year. The historic photo above shows 1950s to today has led transportation, industrial plants, consumer products, and
a Pan Am Airways employee using a to production of high- health care.
Lenox borescope to inspect a cylinder temperature lens tube
from an aircraft engine. (Credit:
Lenox.) optical systems used
worldwide. Duncan Aviation Offers Nondestructive
Examination Mobile Services
TÜV°SÜD and ASTM International Launch Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, Neb., an aircraft service
Partnership in Additive Manufacturing provider, is offering nondestructive examination (NDE) mo-
bile services for aircraft operators.
The global standards organization ASTM International, “Although we would love for them to come to Duncan Avia-
West Conshohocken, Pa., and TÜV°SÜD, a German testing tion for all of their aircraft maintenance, we understand why
and certification organization, have signed a memorandum some operators elect not to relocate their aircraft,” said Kasey
of understanding (MOU) to develop programs aimed at Harwick, the company’s vice president of maintenance.
speeding adoption of and trust in additive manufacturing The company’s in-house NDE teams (Level 2 or higher in
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Dutch company that performs visual and ultrasonic inspec-
tions using wireless robotics.
With this investment, RoNik Inspectioneering has be-
come a part of the Terra Drone group and will be renamed as
Terra Inspectioneering. The company will focus on nonde-
structive examination and inspection services of industrial,
hazardous, and enclosed spaces, such as storage tanks, boil-
ers, superheaters, furnaces, stacks, pipelines, and more.
There will also be a dedicated focus on the oil and gas indus-
try across the globe.
“Oil and gas companies are fast realizing how drones can
be used to improve plant operation rates, save time, and re-
duce costs,” said Terra Drone Corp. CEO Toru Tokushige. “By
Duncan Aviation now provides nondestructive examination mo-
incorporating RoNik’s proven and reliable nondestructive
bile services for aircraft operators. [examination] technologies and inspection services to the
solution set we offer via Terra Drone’s global network of
more than 25 countries, we will be able to cater to oil and
all four methods) provide eddy current, fluorescent pene-
gas companies in all parts of the world.”
trant, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle inspections on all
makes and model aircraft, including helicopters.
Additionally, Duncan Aviation is an authorized Dassault
NDE facility in the Western Hemisphere, representing one of a WPI Researcher Uses Corrosion Test
handful of facilities with personnel trained and authorized to Chamber to Simulate Road Salt Impacts
meet Falcon NDE requirements. on Future Car Designs
Adam Powell, associate professor of mechanical engineer-
Terra Drone Invests in Dutch Robotics ing, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Massachusetts,
Company RoNik has been awarded a three-year, $1.5-million grant from the
Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Re-
Terra Drone Corp., Tokyo, Japan, a provider of industrial newable Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. It’s to test a
drone solutions, has invested in RoNik Inspectioneering, a new type of welding that may make the joint between light

metal alloys more resistant to corrosion, including salt Former Welding Inspector Passes Away
spray, leading to future designs of durable, next-generation
metal car joints used in ultra-light car doors and other vehi- Farren F. Elwood passed away
cle body applications. peacefully on October 17, 2019,
As the lead institution, WPI is receiving $750,000 while with his wife and daughter by
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest Na- his side. He was 73.
tional Laboratory will split the remainder. Magna Interna- Elwood grew up in Lyons,
tional, a global mobility technology company in lightweight Colo., and graduated from
vehicle structures, will contribute in-kind time and materi- Lyons High School in 1964. He
als to the project. attended Aims Community Col-
In addition to Powell, five WPI researchers are working lege and earned an associate’s
on the project, including Brajendra Mishra, a co-principal in- degree in welding inspection
vestigator and head of WPI’s Metal Processing Institute; and welding instruction. He
Math Professor Marcus Sarkis-Martins and Computational worked as an iron worker for
Scientist Siamak Faal, both of whom will help develop com- most of his life and as a welding
Farren F. Elwood
puter simulation models; Postdoctoral Fellow Kübra Karaya- inspector for the original Den-
giz; and PhD Student Qingli Ding. ver International Airport until his retirement in 2013. He
In the first year of the research, Powell and colleagues will led the quality assurance efforts in the area of steel con-
seek to understand corrosion behaviors of magnesium and struction, shop and fabrication inspection, and structural
aluminum diffusion-bonded joints in the test chamber. In steel plan for all of Denver International Airport projects.
the second year, they plan to simulate on a computer both Elwood was also an American Welding Society (AWS)
the corrosion of friction stir welded joints and mechanical member. In 2006, he received the National Dalton E. Hamil-
fracture. In the final year, they expect to make the models ton Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) of the Year award. He
much more accurate. contributed greatly to the success of AWS Certified Welding
As a result of the research, Powell and his team aim to programs locally, nationally, and internationally. He was also
show the new welding process will lead to more durable sub- a longtime member of the CWI group. Elwood is survived by
assemblies made of the two dissimilar metals. Benefits in- his wife of 55 years, Arlene, daughter, two grandchildren,
clude lighter vehicles, reduced fuel consumption for gas- brother, sister, cousin, nephews, great-niece, great-nephew,
powered cars, and longer range for electric cars. and friends.

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The Answer Is By Albert J. Moore Jr.
position the test assembly between your the groove was prepared by machining
Q: I have been having a problem
belt buckle and sternum. You will be and they were held by a magnetic
passing my shielded metal arc weld-
ing (SMAW) welder qualification test looking down at the weld pool from bot- chuck. Now we are getting into the
for the American Welding Society’s tom to top, and you will not have to roll meat of the subject: magnetic fields.
(AWS) D1.1, Structural Welding Code your wrist changing the electrode angle Magnetic fields will exert a force
— Steel. I’ve passed my overhead as you approach the upper portion of from the welding arc, either pushing
test, but the vertical position test is the groove. or pulling it depending on the polari-
driving me crazy. As I near the top of 2) Use more than one weld to se- ty of the magnetic field. In this case,
the plate, the weld just won’t lie flat. It cure the test assembly placed at oppo- electric current passing through the
bulges out, it sags, it has an undercut site ends of the groove. I prefer four plates can create a strong magnetic
along the edges. The weld in the low- welds, two along the lower edge and field that is directly proportional to
er three quarters of the groove is fine.
two along the upper edge. This reduces the welding current.
It lies in the groove with a nice flat
face, but that isn’t the case when I the current through each weld. Alternating current reverses polari-
near the top last quarter of the groove. 3) Use strong backs, one at each ty with each half cycle, so using 60-Hz
What am I doing wrong? end of the groove. Each strong back is power, the polarity of the magnetic
secured with two fillet welds along one field reverses 120 times each second.
side so they can be removed easily. The This tends to mitigate the influence of
A: What you are experiencing has baf- welds should be at least 2 in. long (the the magnetic field. Where possible,
fled many welders, both new to the field longer, the better). Most cross section the use of alternating welding current
and those who have been around for a through the welds, the lower the cur- reduces the influence of the magnetic
while. Ask five welders how to fix the rent density. field produced by the welding current
problem and you’ll get five different so- 4) Whether you use strong backs or passing through the welds, securing
lutions. Some of the suggestions will re- not, a minimum of two workpiece con- the plates, and through the test plates
duce the problem, some make it worse. nection points at opposite ends, lower (or pipe).
The following is a list of what I would do and upper ends of the groove, is rec- Increasing the number of welds se-
to correct the situation you describe. ommended. Again, it reduces the cur- curing the test plates reduces the am-
1) Check your technique to make rent density passing through the perage passing through any one weld.
sure you are not changing the angle of welds. The longer the weld securing the
the electrode or the gun if welding with 5) It is possible the test plates need plates to the bench, the lower the cur-
a semiautomatic process. The problem to be demagnetized before they can be rent density. This also aids in reducing
is the same regardless of whether you welded. A weak magnetic field can be the influence of the magnetic field
roll your wrist as you near the top of the induced if the groove face is ground to through each weld.
plate. This happens if the test assembly remove any oxides if the plates were Reducing the diameter of the weld-
is positioned too high. I tell welders to torch cut. They can be magnetized if ing electrode lessens the welding cur-
Fig. 1 — The test assembly depicted utilizes four welds to secure the plates to the work bench. The welding current flows from the welding arc to
each of the four welds. The amperage through each weld is proportional to the inverse of the resistance from the arc, through the plate, through the
weld, and back to the welding machine. A circular magnetic field is produced as the current is passed through the conductor. Near the upper edge
of the test assembly, the circular magnetic fields are distorted. In the figure, there are two magnetic fields toward the top edge and two magnetic
fields toward the bottom of the assembly where the test plates are secured to the steel table. Since there are two fields, one associated with each
weld to the back braces, they tend to cancel the effects of the other magnetic field.

Fig. 2 — The Fleming right-hand rule is illustrated toward the left side of the figure. The conductor, perhaps the welding lead or workpiece, is placed
in the open palm of the right hand. The fingers, extended, are then bent. The fingers then point in the direction of the magnetic field. The sketch to-
ward the right illustrates time along the horizontal x-axis, the magnetizing force, i.e., welding current, along the vertical y-axis, and the direction of
the magnetic field along the z-axis either into or out of the page. As illustrated by the graph, the strength of the magnetic field is in direct proportion
to the magnetizing current, and the direction of the magnetic field is dependent on the polarity of the magnetizing force.
rent, thus reducing the strength of the terest. First, it demonstrates the right- magnetic field using conventional cur-
magnetic fields produced. See Fig. 1. hand rule. The second illustrates how rent. In 1747, Ben Franklin said cur-
The strength of the circular mag- the direction of the magnetic field is rent flows from the positive terminal
netic fields produced as the current dependent on the polarity of the mag- to the negative terminal. One hundred
passes through the conductor is direct- netizing current. and fifty years later, in 1897, J. J.
ly proportional to the amperage. The The difference between using direct Thompson discovered the electron and
influence of the magnetic field pro- and alternating current when welding established the current flows from the
duced by alternating current is greatly is the direction of the magnetic field is negative terminal to the positive ter-
reduced in comparison to a circular dependent on the polarity of the weld- minal or what is now called electron
magnetic field produced by direct curing current. The amplitude of the flow. However, the precedent was set
rent. This is because the direction of welding current is “unchanging” when and, by convention, we say the current
the circular magnetic field reverses in using direct current, thus the direction flows from positive to negative.
direction each time the polarity of the of the magnetic field doesn’t change. If one is discussing magnetic fields,
magnetizing current is reversed. The right-hand rule illustrated by but using electron flow, the left-hand
Figure 2 illustrates two things of in- Fig. 2 describes the direction of the rule applies. Nothing really changes.
It’s just the conductor is placed in the
left hand. Confusing? It can be.
The following equation shows the
strength of the magnetic field is di-
rectly proportional to the magnetizing
force, i.e., current:
=×I (1)
where  equals the strength of the

magnetic field, and  equals the ease a
material can be magnetized. The 
varies from a value of about 1000 to
6000 for iron and steel. Soft, low-car-
bon steel has a value of about 6000 or
higher, whereas hardened steel has a
value of about 1000. Aluminum, a
nonferrous metal, has a value of  of
about 1. Therefore, the magnetic field
produced while welding steel is several
thousand times stronger than the
strength of the magnetic field pro-
duced while welding aluminum with
the same amperage. I equals the mag-
Fig. 3 — The back side of the test assembly with two back braces. The current through the netizing force, i.e., the amperage used
back braces was about 13⁄ the total current. The difference was likely due to the difference in while welding.
electrical resistance through the back braces and the welds. From Equation 1, anything that can

be done to reduce the current will have a bench. The experiments confirmed there are several welds providing differ-
significant effect on the strength of the multiple welds reducing the amperage ent current paths. The current through
resulting magnetic field. Weak magnetic flowing through each of the welds is each weld is dependent on the electrical
fields will have less effect on the welding reduced, thus the strength of the re- resistance of the current path, but each
arc, i.e., it will reduce arc blow. sulting magnetic field is reduced in di- weld carries a proportion of the total
The use of several welds to secure the rect proportion. current through the welding electrode.
test assembly will reduce the current The experiments consisted of the I hope this discussion helps you min-
flowing through any one of the welds, following: imize the arc blow toward the upper
thus reducing the strength of the mag- 1) The test assembly was secured to portion of the test plates. However,
netic field associated with a single weld. the steel table by one weld; maintaining the proper electrode angle
If the welds are along one edge of the 2) The test assembly was secured by also plays a part in getting the results
test assembly, the magnetic fields will two welds, one at the lower end of the you need to pass the test. Good luck.
be concentrated along the edge where backing bar and one at the upper end of
the welds are located. If the welds are the backing bar;
along both edges, there will be magnetic 3) The test assembly was secured by
fields along both edges. The magnetic two welds along the lower edge; and ALBERT J. MOORE JR.
fields along opposite edges will counter 4) The test assemblies were secured ([email protected]) is vice
each other, reducing the effects of arc by two welds along the lower edge and president, Marion Testing & Inspection,
blow. Canton, Conn. He is an AWS Senior
two welds along the upper edge with Certified Welding Inspector and an ASNT
Theory is fine and good, but there two back braces, as shown in Fig. 3. One ACCP NDT Level III. He is also a member
is nothing like a couple of experiments assembly used ½- × ½-in. bars for the of the AWS Certification Committee and
to confirm whether the practical appli- supports and braces. A second assembly the Committee on Methods of Inspection
of Welds.
cation of theory actually produces the used ¼- × 1-in. bars for supports and
expected results. It would have been braces. The Society is not responsible for any
nice if I had a way of measuring the For the sake of brevity, the tabular statements made or opinion expressed herein.
strength of the magnetic field, but I results that recorded the amperage Data and information developed by the authors
are for specific informational purposes only
had to settle for measuring the amper- through each weld has been omitted. It and are not intended for use without
age passing through the connections is sufficient to confirm the current independent, substantiating investigation on
securing the test assembly to a steel the part of potential users.
through each weld is reduced when
Technology Notes
Addendum Code Edition: C7.2M:2010 covered by the scope of this document.

Code Provision: Subclause 9.2.1 (1) Nothing in this document supersedes
and (9) the end-user or customer-supplied
Standard: AWS A4.3:1993 specification.
Purpose: Addition of “Standard Hot AWS Log: C7.2-10-I01
Inquiry: (1) Can “blind” or partial-cut Taken from the following foreword in
Carrier Gas Extraction Method” C7.2:
Detail: This addendum adds a third identification numbers and/or the mark-
ing of an outline for locating a compo- “It should be noted that the operat-
standard method of analysis and ing and processing parameters given in
should be used in the same context as nent be considered as equivalent to “dec-
orative patterns” in somematerials? the Standard may not be the only pa-
the two other standard methods of rameter combinations that can be em-
analysis prescribed in Clauses 7 and 8. (2) If so, is it then considered as
acceptable to use it for precision comput- ployed for successfully processing the
For more information, visit materials and thicknesses shown.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/tech- erized layout and marking of component
locations for fabrication purposes? Changes in material chemistry, dimen-
www.aws.org/amend-addenda/A4.3- sional tolerances, laser beam character-
1993-ADD1.pdf. (3) Because laser beam cutting is
considered a low-heat-input process, istics, machine calibration, and other
wouldn’t the limited depth or partial factors can produce different results.
depth cut ultimately be considered as Therefore, the procedures presented
AWS C7.2M Interpretation an even further reduced-heat-input here are simply meant to provide a set-
condition, making the heat-affected up and design guide to help users to or-
Subject: Use of a laser for limited pen- zone a non issue? ganize and learn the process
etration, or a partial-depth cut used for Response: (1) These questions are not of developing and refining a particular
surface marking of materials application.”

Mark Your Calendar
Coatings+2020 together 575 exhibitors and more than 13,000 attendees

Feb. 3–6. Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, Calif. from Mexico and South America to find solutions, network,
This event is comprised of protective, marine, and industrial learn, and experience first-hand the latest innovations in
coatings programming featuring technical sessions and work- the metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing indus-
shops that focus on surface preparation, application, coating tries. Visit mexico.fabtechexpo.com.
formulation, testing, inspection, and sustainable coatings so-
lutions. The Society for Protective Coatings training and certi- FABTECH Canada
fication programs will be offered in conjunction with the June 16–18. Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ontario,
event, in addition to standards committee meetings and prime Canada. Meet with more than 300 world-class suppliers; see
networking opportunities, as well as a trade show with more the latest industry products and developments; and find the
than 150 exhibitors. Visit sspc.org/events. tools to improve productivity, increase profits, and discover
new solutions for all of your metal forming, fabricating,
ASNT Research Symposium 2020 welding, and finishing needs. Visit canada.fabtechexpo.com.
March 23–26. Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, Va. This
four-day event will offer technical presentations featuring ICPIIT 2020 — International Chemical & Petroleum
the latest in nondestructive examination and evaluation re- Industry Inspection Technology Conference
search, an exhibit floor with the newest products and servic- June 17–19. Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, Sugar Land,
es, and opportunities to network with industry profession- Tex. This conference will provide a forum for the exchange of
als. Visit asnt.org. theoretical and scientific information in nondestructive ex-
amination (NDE) of pipeline and piping, pressure vessels,
FABTECH Mexico storage tanks, chemical and refinery plants, and equipment
May 12–14. Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, Mexico. This for transportation; inspector certifications; codes; standards;
event will be held jointly with AWS Weldmex, Metalform regulations; risk-based inspections and evaluations; and gen-
Mexico, and Coatech México. The combined event will bring eral NDE. Visit asnt.org. — continued on page 19

Feature By Bob Wiswesser
Magnetic Particle Examination

A practical approach to inspection of welds through painted
surfaces using this staple NDE method
As quality control (QC) inspectors,

we frequently run into weld inspection
requirements for new, in-service
examination of welded assemblies
needing nondestructive examination
(NDE) other than visual testing (VT).
In some of those cases, the area to be
inspected has a nonconductive coating
or painted surface that the client does
not want to be removed.
Visual weld inspection, in accor-
dance with major welding codes (i.e.,
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
(BPVC), Section V, Article 9; AWS
D1.1, Structural Welding Code — Steel;
and AWS D1.5, Bridge Welding Code)
cannot be performed because of the
painted surfaces, nor can the other Magnetic particle
common surface NDE methods, such examination is commonly
performed using color-
as liquid penetrant testing (PT). There- contrasting, dry powder
fore, magnetic particle examination media with the surface
being examined exposed
(magnetic testing, or MT) which has to an artificial or natural
an indirect, induced magnetization white light.
technique, is often specified.
Fundamentals continuities open to the surface of the hanced by the use of more sensitive
examination area. Magnetic particle florescent wet magnetic media avail-
The indirect, induced MT tech- examination is commonly performed able in aerosol spray cans, which is
niques include coil shot, which pro- using color-contrasting (nonfluores- quite portable but requires the exami-
duces a longitudinal magnetic field; cent) dry powder media, with the sur- nation to be performed using an in-
central conduction shot, which produces face being examined exposed to an ar- dustrial ultraviolet light source provid-
a circular field in the part surrounding tificial or natural white light intensity ing a minimum intensity of 1000 mi-
the central conductor; and the yoke of at least 100-ft candles. These stan- crowatts/cm2, measured at the test
shot, which uses an electromagnetic dard test conditions should allow the surface, and a reduced white light en-
yoke or permanent magnet to induce a inspector to detect a linear surface vironment of 2-ft candles or less.
longitudinal magnetic field between flaw and measure its powder indica-
the magnetizing device poles (legs) tion when using an AC yoke on a rela-
along the surface of the part or area tively clean surface, if following ASTM Effectiveness Challenges
being examined. This last technique is E-709, Standard Guide for Magnetic
the most common MT technique that, Particle Testing, as referenced by most Currently, the ASTM E-709 stan-
if used adequately on painted surfaces, welding codes in the United States. dard allows the use of indirect, in-
detects most of the relevant linear dis- If needed, flaw detection can be en- duced MT on surfaces with thin paint

or nonconductive coatings that is steps to demonstrate the nonstandard written yoke method MT procedure to
0.02–0.05 mm (1–2 mils) thick, with- MT procedure qualification technique. test welded areas over paint. First, the
out the need to remove to bare metal When the acceptance criteria are ap- following additional equipment, be-
(see E-709, § 9.1.1). If a painted or plied to the size (length and width) of yond the AC yoke or permanent mag-
nonconductive coating is left on the the powder indication to determine net testing device and the calibrated
area to be examined with a thickness whether the indication is linear (three 10-lb deadweight ferritic bar, is
greater than 0.05 mm (2 mils), it must times as long as it is wide) or rounded, needed:
be demonstrated that relevant, unac- it can be evaluated. Incidentally, any
ceptable discontinuities can be detect- relevant powder indication deter- 1. A magnetic or eddy current noncon-
ed through the maximum paint or mined to be linear is normally unac- ductive coating (paint) thickness
coating thickness. Therefore, the chal- ceptable. Round discontinuities are of- measurement instrument (DeFelsko,
lenge for MT is when the paint or coat- ten undetectable until they exceed 31⁄ 6 for example). The device is used to
ing thickness exceeds 2 mils, and the in. and may not produce a detectable measure paint or nonconductive coat-
inspection is required to be performed powder indication to be evaluated. ing thickness.
without removing the paint or coating. These are ASME criteria.
The effectiveness of the methods The AWS D1.1 code doesn’t give 2. A magnetic particle examination
must be demonstrated by testing the much direction because MT, as a sur- test bar with an artificial crack-like
MT flaw detectability. This begins by face-flaw detection NDE method, uses notch similar to the maximum flaw
developing a written MT procedure the magnetic powder indication to lo- size and powder indication needed to
and qualifying the procedure through cate relevant discontinuities. The in- be detected to meet the required ac-
a demonstration test, which is often spector must evaluate the flaw under ceptance criteria. For example, the
required to be witnessed by an author- the powder indication to the visual ac- Magnaflux test bar Mx3508 contains a
ized inspector or customer representa- ceptance criteria listed in Table 6.1 of deep notch that is 0.062 in. long 
tive. This demonstration must verify D1.1. In this code, the powder indica- 0.006 -in. wide  0.010 in. deep and
the ability of the nonstandard MT pro- tion is used primarily to locate flaws, can be used to verify magnetic-field
cedure to detect the minimum-sized then it’s cleared away, and the flaw is strength and linear-flaw detectability
flaw allowed under the code and form visually evaluated. Therefore, in this (sensitivity). There are other equiva-
a powder indication in accordance manner, the AWS code doesn’t have lent test bars available. Standard
with the required acceptance criteria. acceptance criteria for the MT powder ASME weld acceptance criteria defines
To develop the procedure, the welding indications. a discontinuity as 0.062 in. or less to
codes are used for guidance. ASME be nonrelevant.
BPVC Section V, Article 7, Appendix I,
provides MT methodology and equip- Suggested Yoke Method
Procedure 3. A roll of white vinyl electrical tape
ment requirements for performing ex-
¾ to 1½ in. wide or equivalent. The
amination (of welds) on ferromagnetic
white color provides color contrast for
materials through nonferromagnetic The following is a suggested adden-
most of the dry magnetic powders.
coatings. It establishes the required dum that can be used with the current
A written MT procedure addendum to be demonstrated in qualifying the procedure steps is as follows:
1 2
Measure the paint (coating) thickness on the surface of the area to Apply white vinyl tape equal to the max paint or coating thickness
be MT tested using a coating thickness measurement device. on the deadweight block and repeat the lift test through the tape. If
Record the thickest areas. Verify the 10-lb deadweight lifting power the yoke cannot lift the 10-lb weight, the yoke can’t be used, and
of the yoke to be used for testing using a 4-in. pole (leg) spacing. another yoke with a greater lifting force should be utilized.

3 4
Using the MT test bar with the artificial flaw, induce a longitudinal
magnetic field with a pole (leg) spacing equivalent to that to be Apply layers of white vinyl tape over the yoke pole (leg) contact
used on the actual inspection area, and apply the magnetic powder points and the artificial flaws between the contact points on the MT
over the notch area while the current is flowing. Record the size of test bar in Step 4. Verify the tape thickness to be equivalent to the
the powder indication while viewing under 100-ft candles of white coated surface of the actual area to be tested using the coating
light. thickness measurement device.
Using the same yoke in Step 2, induce a longitudinal magnetic field with a pole (leg) spacing equivalent to that to be used on the actual
inspection area, and apply the magnetic powder over the notch while the current is flowing. Record the size of the powder indication while
viewing under 100-ft candles of white light. If the powder indication on the white vinyl tape coated surface is at least 50% of the length of the
corresponding indication prior to coating, the coating thickness is qualified to the procedure. If the powder indication is less than 50%, either
sand the painted (coated) test area to lesser thickness and recheck for required detectability (as described above), or remove the paint
completely from the inspection surface and test with the standard procedure.
In many cases, when using a prop- in many cases, two identical yokes may mine the total magnetizing lifting
erly maintained AC yoke, a paint coat demonstrate a significant difference in force of the yoke through a coated
thickness of 8–12 mils can often be lifting force. A good check for the yoke surface.
tested, and a minimum flaw detected. can be made by starting with the mini- In conclusion, the best way to have
To determine the limit of a yoke, add mum required 10-lb deadweight block effective results when performing MT
layers of vinyl tape incrementally to with a 4-in. leg spacing. While lifting is by using proper equipment, know-
the MT test bar with the artificial flaw the 10-lb block about one inch from ing the capability of your equipment,
until the required detectability is lost. the surface, add weight to the block and following a qualified procedure.
This demonstrates the sensitivity and (small pieces of ¼- to ⅜-in. carbon
probability of detection characteristics steel plate works well) until the block
of an electromagnetic yoke used for drops from the yoke. The 10-lb dead-
MT. As these devices are used, and weight block plus the additional BOB WISWESSER ([email protected]) is
sometimes abused through long mag- weight is the total magnetizing president of Welder Training & Testing
netizing shots, exceeding 20–30, the weight-lifting force of the yoke. Re- Institute, Allentown, Pa. He’s a member of
the AWS Qualification and Certification
magnetic field strength can diminish. peating this process with the addition Committee, Exam Bank Subcommitee,
The standard duty cycle for most de- of the vinyl tape layers to the contact and an ASNT Level III.
vices is 20 s on and 20 s off. Therefore, points of the yoke legs helps deter-

— continued from page 15
Mark Your Calendar

FABTECH 2020 Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Testing Seminar
Nov. 18–20. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. The AWS Connecticut Section is hosting a four-day seminar
This event provides a one-stop shop venue where attendees on the subject of penetrant and magnetic particle testing in
can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry preparation for the AWS endorsement examination. This
products and developments, and find the tools to improve seminar covers the principles of the test methods and pro-
productivity, increase profits, and discover new solutions for vides laboratory time to become familiar with the use and
all metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing needs. applications of the test methods. The training provided com-
Visit fabtechexpo.com. plies with the recommendations of ASNT SNT-TC-1A. The
seminar is being offered March 16–19. For more informa-
Educational Opportunities tion, contact Albert Moore at [email protected].
ASME Section IX Seminar The Atlas of Welding Procedure Specifications

Learn how to use ASME Section IX quickly and cost effective- This three-day workshop/seminar on the subject of devel-
ly. This ASME-sponsored course is scheduled for Las Vegas, oping welding procedure specifications, procedure qualifica-
Nev., May 18–20; and Houston, Tex., June 15–17. Contact tion records, and welder qualification records is scheduled
Marion Hess, [email protected], (212) 591-7161, or register at for March 23–25 in Simsbury, Conn. The seminar provides
asme.org/products/courses/bpv-code-section-ix-welding-brazing- a basis for developing welding procedure specifications that
fusing. meet AWS and ASME codes. In-class exercises cover the
process of writing prequalified WPSs and the mechanics of
AWS Online CWI Pre-Seminar qualifying WPSs by testing. The welding documents devel-
The online CWI Pre-Seminar covers fundamental concepts oped are applicable to AWS and ASME as well as other stan-
and principles frequently used by CWIs. The ten-course pro- dards that include NAVSEA standards, other military
gram has been thoughtfully engineered to provide a strong standards, and commercial welding standards. For more
foundation for those who are preparing to take the CWI information, contact Albert Moore at amoore999@
exam or as a refresher for accomplished CWIs in need of pro- comcast.net.
fessional development hours (PDHs). Visit aws.org.
CWB Online/Classroom Courses

Courses in NDE disciplines to meet certifications to Canadi-
an General Standards Board or Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission. The Canadian Welding Bureau; (800) 844-6790;
cwbgroup.org; [email protected]
CWI Exam Prep Course

American Institute of Nondestructive Testing offers a 40-h
online CWI exam prep course. Part A covers the fundamen-
tals of welding technology; part B consists of extensive prac-
tical hands-on techniques and will be held at the Houston
Marriott North in Houston, Tex.; and part C provides in-
depth training to the welding code portion of the exam. Con-
tact Jeff LeTourneau, [email protected], (855) 313-
0325, or visit trainingndt.com.
E-Courses in Destructive and Nondestructive Testing

of Welds and Other Welding-Related Topics
Online video courses taken at one’s own pace offer certifi-
cates of completion and continuing education units. Hobart
Institute of Welding Technology, (800) 332-9448;
welding.org/product-category/online-courses/
NDE Classes
Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Ill., offers
NDE classes in PT, MT, UT, RT, radiation safety, and eddy
current, as well as API 510 exam prep and weld inspection.
(708) 974-5735; [email protected]; morainevalley.edu
NDT Classroom Training and e-Learning Course

Offers courses in UT, RT, MT, PT, eddy current, and remote
visual inspection. Onsite training also available. (855) 232-
7470; geinspectionacademy.com; [email protected]

Feature By Paul L. Sturgill
Welding Variables in Procedure Qualification
In the qualification of welding qualification code used, the essential

The different procedures, welding variables are variables for procedure qualification
categorized depending on their effect play a major role in controlling the
categories of on the mechanical properties of the content of the welding procedure spec-
welding variables resultant weldment. Some common
terms for these categories are essential
ification (WPS).
The American Welding Society
used for qualifying variables, qualification variables, (AWS) D1.1:2015, Structural Welding
supplementary essential variables, and Code — Steel, states, “Changes beyond
welding procedures nonessential variables. This article the limitations of PQR [procedure
explores these categories as various qualification record] essential
are discussed qualification codes use them. variables...shall require requalification
When groove welding procedures of the WPS.” (See paragraph 4.8.1.)
are qualified by testing, the purpose of AWS D1.2:2014, Structural Welding
the testing is to prove that the me- Code — Aluminum, addresses the
chanical properties of the resulting contents of the PQR and states, “On
weldment are at least equal to those this form shall be recorded the
specified for the unwelded base metal, essential variables for the specific
with the primary mechanical property welding process.” (See paragraph
of interest being tensile strength. Ten- 3.12.1.) Furthermore, AWS D1.2
sile strength is used because it is a rea- continues, “Changes greater than the
sonable measure of a weldment’s abili- limits set in Table 3.1 shall be
ty to withstand a structural load, or a considered essential changes in a
piping or vessel weldment’s ability to WPS...and shall require requalification
withstand internal pressure. The quali- of the altered WPS.” (See paragraph
fication codes categorize welding vari- 3.14.) AWS D1.3, Structural Welding
ables for procedure qualification in Code — Sheet Steel, AWS D1.4,
terms of their relative effect on tensile Structural Welding Code — Steel
strength and, in some cases, tough- Reinforcing Bars, AWS D1.5, Bridge
ness. Welding Code, AWS D1.6, Structural
Welding Code — Stainless Steel, and
Essential Variables AWS D1.9, Structural Welding Code —
Titanium, all have similar
The term essential variable is the requirements. Section IX, Welding,
most common term used for the vari- Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications of
ables having a significant effect on the the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
tensile strength of the weldment. Code (BPVC) also uses essential
What is significant, you ask? The an- variables, but it goes further and
swer to that question is determined by defines them as “conditions in which a
the code committee that writes the change, as described in the specific
qualification rules. Interestingly, not variables, is considered to affect the
all committees agree on the same list mechanical properties...of the joint.
of essential variables for procedure Before using a procedure specification
qualification. Although the weldment whose essential variables have been
does not know whether it is in a pipe revised and fall outside their qualified
or a beam, the various committees be- range, the procedure specification
lieve that different applications re- must be requalified” by testing. (See
quire different essential variables. That paragraph QG-105.1.) Even API 1104,
discussion, however, will be reserved Welding of Pipelines and Related
for another time. Regardless of the Facilities (21st Edition) uses essential

variables for procedure qualification. dure qualification and agree on some essential variables, as does AWS D1.6,
European Standards (EN) use a similar fundamental rules for their applica- AWS B2.1, and ASME BPVC Section
philosophy procedure qualification, tion. One rule is that each essential IX. Again, Section IX offers a defini-
but they do not use the term essential variable has a maximum range of val- tion that, although not stated in AWS
variables. See, for example, ISO ues that can be specified on the WPS. D1.1, D1.6, or B2.1, is consistent
15609-1, Specification and Qualification Another rule is that welding using an with their use in those standards.
of Welding Procedures for Metallic essential variable outside the range That definition is “conditions in
Materials — Welding Procedure qualified requires requalification of the which a change will affect the tough-
Specification — Part 1: Arc Welding. WPS by testing, the generation of a ness properties of the joint, heat-af-
Not all U.S. qualification codes use new PQR, and a revision to the WPS to fected zone, or base material. Supple-
the term essential variable either. The accommodate the expanded range of mentary essential variables become
AWS B2.1:2014, Specification for Pro- that variable (or a new WPS). additional essential variables in situa-
cedure and Performance Qualification, Typical essential variables for pro- tions where procedure qualifications
uses a nearly identical approach to cedure qualification include, but are require toughness testing. When pro-
that used by ASME BPVC Section IX, not limited to, welding process, base cedure qualification does not require
but refers to the term as “qualifica- metal grouping, base metal thickness, the addition of toughness testing,
tion variables.” It states, “A change in F-Number of the filler metal used, and supplementary essential variables are
a procedure qualification variable be- postweld heat treatment. There are not applicable.” The requirement for
yond the limits shown in Table 4.14 many others, depending on the qualifi- toughness testing of the WPS can
shall require a new or revised WPS cation code. come from the applicable construc-
and a new PQR.” The key to the table tion code (i.e., ASME B31.3, Process
shows four types of “qualification” Supplementary Essential Piping, or ASME PBVC Section VIII,
variables, three of which are for spe- Rules for Construction of Pressure Ves-
cial applications, while the fourth is Variables sels), from the engineer for a struc-
almost identical to the essential vari- tural application, or from any end
ables of Section IX. Since the requali- Supplementary essential variables user or customer who requires it in
fication rule for these qualification are those that become essential vari- their purchase order or specification.
variables is the same as the requalifi- ables when the WPS is to be qualified The most common example of a sup-
cation rule for essential variables in with toughness testing. These vari- plementary essential variable is an in-
the AWS D1 codes and ASME BPVC ables are those that the qualification crease in weld heat input. Increases in
Section IX, these “qualification” vari- code committee believes will have a weld heat input are known to degrade
ables can be considered the same as significant effect on the toughness of the toughness of the coarse-grained
“essential” variables. the weldment. AWS D1.1 has rules region of the heat-affected zone
Qualification codes generally use for qualifying WPSs with toughness (HAZ) of carbon steel welds.
variables that are essential for proce- that invoke the use of supplementary
Table 1 — Part of Table QW-253 from ASME BPVC Section IX, showing the listing of essential, supplementary essential, and nonessential
variables for the qualification of SMAW procedures. (Reprinted from ASME 2019 Edition, BPVC Section IX, by permission of The American So-
ciety of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.)

cation, such as pipe diameter and sizes would permit the use of either an
Nonessential Variables of filler metal, among others, not in- E9018 or an E9015 electrode for
cluded in the list of essential variables SMAW of a high-hardness pipe materi-
Perhaps the most misunderstood in Section 5.4.2. Again, these variables al such as a 9Cr-1Mo-V steel. The
variable in procedure qualification is function the same as the nonessential E9015 electrode is a better choice for
the nonessential variable. variables defined in Section IX. They this weld, however, because of its low-
Although the AWS D1 structural must be listed on the WPS, and the er iron powder content, and therefore,
codes do not use them, they are promi- WPS must be followed during produc- a generally lower contaminant con-
nent in ASME BPVC Section IX. In ad- tion. Again, when needed, they may be tent, making it more suitable for weld-
dition, both AWS B2.1 and API 1104 changed to accommodate a new range ing base metals prone to cold cracking.
identify variables with similar func- by a simple editorial revision of the Specifying the correct travel speeds
tions, but without the label. ASME WPS. and electrode diameters (both
BPVC Section IX defines nonessential nonessential variables in many qualifi-
variables as “conditions in which a cation codes) for the thickness and
change, as described in the specific
The WPS Rules
joint to be welded are other examples
variables, is not considered to affect of cases in which welding expertise is
Ideally, all welds for structural,
the mechanical properties of the joint. necessary to correctly address
pipeline, pressure vessel, power and
These variables shall be addressed in nonessential variables.
process piping, food and dairy, and
the procedure specification.” (See para- In addition to code requirements,
pharmaceutical applications should be
graph QG-105.4.) The basic premise the WPS can and should contain any
conducted in accordance with a WPS.
with nonessential variables is that, information needed to make a success-
Well-written WPSs should provide
while they do have to be addressed on ful weldment, particularly metallurgi-
code-compliant, reasonable, and use-
the WPS, they may be changed with- cal requirements that are base metal,
ful instructions to the welders who are
out requalification of the WPS by mak- filler metal, or service-specific. An ex-
using them. As I tell my students, “The
ing a simple editorial change of the ample of this is the hydrogen bakeout
WPS always rules!” And, welders
range specified to include the new val- often used to minimize the risk of cold
should follow its instructions. The
ue. ASME BPVC Section IX lists essen- cracking in high-hardness steels. Oth-
WPS must address the essential,
tial, nonessential, and supplementary er examples are misalignment require-
nonessential, and when required, sup-
essential variable for each by welding ments, start-stop locations for distor-
plementary essential variables. But the
process, as shown in Table 1 for shield- tion management, and weld bead size
nonessential variables are not unim-
ed metal arc welding (SMAW). and location requirements.
portant, as the name suggests. They
AWS B2.1 uses variables that func-
are, in fact, quite important and must
tion as nonessential, but it describes Summary
be specified with care. Software pro-
them by exclusion. It provides a table
grams for generating WPSs are of little
(in paragraph 4.13) listing all the vari- Welding procedure specifications
help in setting ranges for these vari-
ables that must appear on a WPS for a contain instructions for welders and
ables since the qualification codes do
limited number of welding processes. should always be followed. Essential
not specify a qualified range.
A separate table lists all of the qualifi- variables and the ranges for which
In many cases, the nonessential
cation (essential variables in para- they are qualified are explicitly stated
variables are the key to making suc-
graph 4.14) that must appear on a in the applicable qualification codes
cessful welds. The qualification codes
WPS, again by welding process. A com- and standards. Nonessential variables,
specify the ranges qualified for the es-
parison of the two reveals there are a as well as those that function as
sential variables, but how are the
number of variables required to be on nonessential variables, are as impor-
ranges for nonessential variables to be
a WPS, such as pipe diameter and tant, if not more so in some cases,
specified? Welding expertise and
welding position, to name a few, that than the essential variables. They must
knowledge of the service requirements
are excluded from the list of qualifica- be addressed on WPSs, and their
must be used to properly specify
tion variables. For all practical purpos- ranges must be carefully specified to
nonessential variables. The authors of
es, this defines these other variables as suit the specific application and metal-
the ASME BPVC recognize this and ex-
“nonessential” variables, although that lurgical needs. For applications requir-
plain it in the Foreword (provided in
term is not used in AWS B.1. Since ing toughness considerations, supple-
all code sections), which states, in
they are required to be listed on the mentary essential variables become
part, “The Code is not a handbook and
WPS, they must be followed. Changes applicable as well.
cannot replace education, experience,
to the range listed on the WPS may be Finally, you ask, what about essen-
and the use of engineering judgment”
made by a simple editorial revision. tial variables for welder qualification?
which is further defined as “technical
API 1104 uses a similar approach to Are they the same as those for proce-
judgments made by knowledgeable en-
AWS B2.1, Section 5.3.2, which lists all dure qualification? Look for the an-
gineers experienced in the application
of the information (variables) required swers in a future article.
of the Code.” It is worth noting that
to be on a procedure specification. Sec-
several AWS D1 structural codes con-
tion 5.4.2 lists the essential variables, PAUL L. STURGILL
tain similar statements.
changes in which would require the re- ([email protected]) is a Senior Cer-
As an example of this type of judg-
qualification of the procedure specifi- tified Welding Inspector, ASNT Level III VT
ment, electrode classification is a Instructor, 3-A Certified Conformance
cation. A comparison of the two lists
nonessential variable for the SMAW Evaluator, and owner of Sturgill Welding
shows that there are some variables
WPSs in ASME BPVC Section IX. This & Code Consulting, Ellettsville, Ind.
required to be on a procedure specifi-

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Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) 9-Year Recertification Seminar for CWI/SCWI

Seminar covers Parts A, B, and C of the CWI exam. Only Part B For current CWIs and SCWIs needing to meet education re-
of the exam is taken following the conclusion of the seminar. quirements without taking the exam. The exam can be taken
Parts A and C are given at Prometric testing centers. at any site listed under Certified Welding Inspector.
Location Seminar Dates
Location Seminar Dates Part B
Houston, TX Feb. 9–14
Exam Date
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Los Angeles, CA Feb. 9–14 Feb. 15
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Pittsburgh, PA Feb. 9–14 Feb. 15
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Atlanta, GA March 1–6 March 7 Seminar and exam are given at all sites listed under Certified
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Omaha, NE March 1–6 March 7 Clinic portion of the seminar (usually the first two days).
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Salt Lake City, UT March 8–13 March 14 (CWSR)
Fargo, ND March 15–20 March 21 CWSR exams are given at Prometric testing centers. More
Philadelphia, PA March 15–20 March 21 information at aws.org/certification/detail/certified-welding-
Chicago, IL March 15–20 March 21 sales-representative.
Phoenix, AZ March 15–20 March 21
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Portland, OR March 22–27 March 28 CWS exams are given at Prometric testing centers. More infor-
Cleveland, OH March 22–27 March 28 mation at aws.org/certification/detail/certified-welding-supervisor.
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Bakersfield, CA April 26–May 1 May 2 interpreter.
St. Louis, MO April 26–May 1 May 2
Tulsa, OK April 26–May 1 May 2 Location Seminar Dates Exam Date
Miami, FL April 26–May 1 May 2 Dallas, TX March 30–April 3 April 4
Baton Rouge, LA May 3–8 May 9 Las Vegas, NV June 1–5 June 6
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Part B Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW)
Course covers only Part B of the CWI exam. The Part B exam OTC Daihen Inc., Tipp City, OH; (937) 667-0800, ext. 218
follows the conclusion of the three-day course. Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, OH; (216) 383-4723
Wolf Robotics, Fort Collins, CO; (970) 225-7667
Location Seminar Dates Part B Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, WI;
Exam Date (414) 456-5454
Las Vegas, NV Feb. 19–21 Feb. 22 College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA; (661) 259-7800,
Miami, FL April 27–29 April 30 ext. 3062
Dallas, TX June 17–19 June 20 Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Ogden, UT;
Houston, TX Aug. 5–7 Aug. 8 (801) 627-8448
Minneapolis, MN Oct. 21–23 Oct. 24 Genesis Systems IPG Photonics Co., Davenport, IA;
(563) 445-5688
IMPORTANT: This schedule is subject to change without notice. Please verify your event dates with the Certification Dept. to confirm your
course status before making travel plans. Applications are to be received at least six weeks prior to the seminar/exam or exam. Applications
received after that time will be assessed a $250 Fast Track fee. Please verify application deadline dates by visiting our website aws.org/
certification/docs/schedules.html. For information on AWS seminars and certification programs, or to register online, visit aws.org/
certification or call (800/305) 443-9353, ext. 273, for Certification; or ext. 455 for Seminars.

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Atlas API Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Olympus America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC
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Fischer Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Sonaspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

fischer-technology.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(860) 683-0781 sonaspection.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(704) 262-3384
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trieng.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(781) 878-1500
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

welding.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(937) 332-9500
IFC - Inside Front Cover
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NDT Seals Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 OBC - Outside Back Cover
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Inspection Trends: Magnetic Particle Examination

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FEBRUARY 2020 / VOL. 23 / NO.

Magnetic Particle Examination

Cover photo: Magnetic particle examination through

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 3

4 Inspection Trends / February 2020

Lenox Instrument Commemorates 100 Years

6 Inspection Trends / February 2020

Test Equipment Distributors, LLC

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 7

8 Inspection Trends / February 2020

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 9

Lightweight X-Ray Gun diameters (2.8, 4, and 6 mm). The modu-

10 Inspection Trends / February 2020

All-in-One Hardness Testing ing 150 make and measure indents an

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 11

12 Inspection Trends / February 2020

where  equals the strength of the

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 13

Addendum Code Edition: C7.2M:2010 covered by the scope of this document.

14 Inspection Trends / February 2020

Coatings+2020 together 575 exhibitors and more than 13,000 attendees

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 15

Magnetic Particle Examination

As quality control (QC) inspectors,

16 Inspection Trends / February 2020

A written MT procedure addendum to be demonstrated in qualifying the procedure steps is as follows:

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 17

18 Inspection Trends / February 2020

Mark Your Calendar

ASME Section IX Seminar The Atlas of Welding Procedure Specifications

CWB Online/Classroom Courses

CWI Exam Prep Course

E-Courses in Destructive and Nondestructive Testing

NDT Classroom Training and e-Learning Course

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 19

Welding Variables in Procedure Qualification

In the qualification of welding qualification code used, the essential

20 Inspection Trends / February 2020

February 2020 / Inspection Trends 21

22 Inspection Trends / February 2020

How will you make your

ADVANCE: 10 Certifications • Online and In-Person Classroom

CONNECT: Industry Conferences and Events • Active Members-Only

SAVE: Discounts on AWS Education and Training, Standards

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) 9-Year Recertification Seminar for CWI/SCWI

24 Inspection Trends / February 2020

E-Mail: Mobile Phone: ( ) Secondary Phone: ( ) Home Work

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP New Renewal, Member #:

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP New Renewal, Member #:

Were you referred to AWS by an AWS Member? Yes No

OFFICE USE ONLY Source Code: IT Account #: Check #: Amount:

Fischer Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Sonaspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

G.A.L. Gage Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

26 Inspection Trends / February 2020

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