Benefits and Limitations of Visual Inspection of Welds Based on Bs En 970 Criteria
Bs En 970 Visual Inspection Pdf Download
If you are a welder or a welding inspector, you may have heard of Bs En 970. It is a European standard that covers the visual examination of fusion welds in metallic materials. Visual inspection is one of the most common and effective methods of non-destructive testing (NDT) for welds. It can help you detect defects, assess quality, and ensure compliance with specifications.
Bs En 970 Visual Inspection Pdf Download
But what exactly is Bs En 970? Why is it important for welders? How can you perform visual inspection according to this standard? And where can you download a PDF copy of it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explain what Bs En 970 is, how it evolved over time, what it requires and recommends for visual inspection, how to perform visual inspection properly, and how to download a PDF version of the standard.
What is Bs En 970?
Bs En 970 is a European standard that covers the visual examination of fusion welds in metallic materials. Fusion welds are welds that join two or more pieces of metal by melting them together. Visual examination is a non-destructive testing method that involves looking at the welds with the naked eye or with optical aids.
The purpose of Bs En 970 is to provide guidelines and criteria for performing visual examination of fusion welds. It specifies the scope, terms, definitions, symbols, equipment, methods, acceptance levels, documentation, and personnel qualification for visual examination. It applies to welds in the as-welded condition, but it can also be used at other stages during the welding process.
History and development of Bs En 970
Bs En 970 has a long history and development. It originated from BS 709, a British standard that was first published in 1955. BS 709 was titled "Method for magnetic particle flaw detection of fusion welded butt joints in steel". It was revised several times until it became BS EN ISO 17637 in 2011.
BS EN ISO 17637 is the current international standard that supersedes Bs En 970. It is titled "Non-destructive testing of welds - Visual testing of fusion-welded joints". It is identical to ISO 17637, which was first published in 2003. ISO 17637 is based on EN 970, which was first published in 1997. EN 970 was titled "Non-destructive examination of fusion welds - Visual examination". It was a European standard that harmonized the national standards of the member countries of the European Union.
As you can see, Bs En 970 is an older version of the current international standard for visual examination of fusion welds. It is still widely used and referenced by welders and welding inspectors, especially in the UK and Europe. However, it is advisable to use the latest version of the standard, which is BS EN ISO 17637, to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date requirements and recommendations.
Requirements and recommendations of Bs En 970
Bs En 970 specifies the essential elements of visual examination of fusion welds. These include:
The scope of visual examination: It defines the types of welds, materials, and applications that are covered by the standard.
The terms and definitions: It explains the technical terms and abbreviations that are used in the standard.
The symbols: It shows the graphical symbols that are used to represent welds, defects, and inspection results.
The equipment: It describes the tools and devices that are needed for visual examination, such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, gauges, cameras, etc.
The methods: It outlines the procedures and techniques that are used for visual examination, such as direct or indirect observation, surface preparation, lighting conditions, viewing distance and angle, etc.
The acceptance levels: It sets the criteria and limits for accepting or rejecting welds based on their appearance and quality.
The documentation: It specifies the information and records that are required for visual examination, such as inspection reports, drawings, photographs, etc.
The personnel qualification: It defines the qualifications and competencies that are required for visual examiners, such as education, training, experience, certification, etc.
Why is visual inspection important for welds?
Visual inspection is one of the most important methods of non-destructive testing for welds. It can provide many benefits and advantages for welders and welding inspectors. However, it also has some limitations and disadvantages that need to be considered.
Advantages of visual inspection
Some of the advantages of visual inspection are:
It is cost-effective: Visual inspection does not require expensive or sophisticated equipment or materials. It can be performed with simple tools and devices that are readily available and affordable.
It is simple: Visual inspection does not require complex or specialized skills or knowledge. It can be performed by anyone who has basic training and experience in welding and inspection.
It is fast: Visual inspection does not take much time or effort. It can be performed quickly and easily before, during, or after the welding process.
It is reliable: Visual inspection can detect most types of defects and flaws that affect the appearance and quality of welds. It can also verify the compliance with specifications and standards.
Disadvantages of visual inspection
Some of the disadvantages of visual inspection are:
It is subjective: Visual inspection depends on the judgment and perception of the examiner. It can be influenced by human factors such as fatigue, bias, error, etc.
It is sensitive: Visual inspection depends on the quality and condition of the weld surface. It can be affected by environmental factors such as dirt, rust, paint, coating, etc.
It is accessible: Visual inspection depends on the visibility and accessibility of the weld area. It can be limited by physical factors such as size, shape, location, orientation, etc.
How to perform visual inspection according to Bs En 970?
To perform visual inspection according to Bs En 970, you need to follow a certain procedure and use certain techniques. Here are some steps and tips to help you perform visual inspection properly:
Preparation and equipment for visual inspection
Before you start visual inspection, you need to prepare yourself and your equipment. You need to:
Read and understand the specifications and standards that apply to your welds. You need to know what are the requirements and expectations for your welds in terms of appearance and quality.
Select and check your equipment. You need to choose the appropriate tools and devices for visual inspection, such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, gauges, cameras, etc. You need to check that they are in good condition and calibrated if necessary.
Prepare the weld surface. You need to clean and remove any dirt, rust, paint, coating, or other substances that may obscure or interfere with the visual examination. You may need to use tools such as scrapers, wire brushes, solvents, etc.
Methods and criteria for visual inspection
After you have prepared yourself and your equipment, you can start visual inspection. You need to:
Observe the weld area. You need to look at the weld and its surroundings with the naked eye or with optical aids. You need to adjust the lighting conditions, viewing distance and angle, and magnification level to get a clear and accurate view of the weld.
Examine the weld for defects. You need to look for any discontinuities or imperfections that may affect the appearance and quality of the weld. You need to compare the weld with the specifications and standards that apply to it. You need to use symbols and gauges to measure and mark the defects if necessary.
Evaluate the weld quality. You need to determine whether the weld is acceptable or not based on the acceptance levels that are specified by the specifications and standards. You need to consider the type, size, location, and number of defects that are found in the weld.
How to download Bs En 970 PDF?
If you want to download a PDF copy of Bs En 970, you have two options: official sources or alternative sources. Here are some steps and tips to help you download Bs En 970 PDF:
Official sources for downloading Bs En 970 PDF
The official sources for downloading Bs En 970 PDF are the websites of the organizations that publish or sell the standard. These include:
The British Standards Institution (BSI): This is the national standards body of the UK that originally published Bs En 970 in 1997. You can find Bs En 970 on their website here. However, you need to pay a fee of $172 to download it.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO): This is the international standards body that published ISO 17637 in 2003, which is identical to Bs En 970. You can find ISO 17637 on their website here. However, you need to pay a fee of CHF 138 to download it.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN): This is the European standards body that published EN 970 in 1997, which is identical to Bs En 970. You can find EN 970 on their website here. However, you need to pay a fee of EUR 54.68 to download it.
Alternative sources for downloading Bs En 970 PDF
The alternative sources for downloading Bs En 970 PDF are the websites of other organizations or individuals that offer free or cheaper copies of the standard. These include:
Scribd: This is a digital library that hosts millions of books, documents, and audiobooks. You can find a free copy of Bs En 970 on their website here. However, you need to sign up for a free trial or a subscription to access it.
The Welding Pro: This is a blog that provides information and tips on welding and related topics. You can find a summary of Bs En 970 on their website here. However, you cannot download the full standard from their website.
Material Welding: This is another blog that provides information and tips on welding and related topics. You can find a guide for weld inspection on their website here. However, you cannot download the full standard from their website either.
Conclusion
Bs En 970 is a European standard that covers the visual examination of fusion welds in metallic materials. It is an important standard for welders and welding inspectors, as it provides guidelines and criteria for performing visual inspection of welds. Visual inspection is a cost-effective, simple, fast, and reliable method of non-destructive testing for welds. However, it also has some limitations and disadvantages, such as subjectivity, sensitivity, and accessibility.
To perform visual inspection according to Bs En 970, you need to prepare yourself and your equipment, observe the weld area, examine the weld for defects, and evaluate the weld quality. You also need to follow the specifications and standards that apply to your welds, and use the appropriate tools and devices for visual inspection. You can download a PDF copy of Bs En 970 from official sources or alternative sources, but you may need to pay a fee or sign up for a service to access it.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Bs En 970:
What is the difference between Bs En 970 and BS EN ISO 17637?
Bs En 970 is an older version of the standard for visual examination of fusion welds that was published in 1997. BS EN ISO 17637 is the current version of the standard that was published in 2011. They are identical in content, but BS EN ISO 17637 has a different title and reference number.
What are some examples of defects that can be detected by visual inspection?
Some examples of defects that can be detected by visual inspection are cracks, incomplete fusion, porosity, slag inclusion, undercut, overlap, distortion, etc.
What are some examples of equipment that can be used for visual inspection?
Some examples of equipment that can be used for visual inspection are magnifying glasses, mirrors, gauges, cameras, flashlights, extension mirrors, borescopes, etc.
What are some examples of symbols that can be used for visual inspection?
Some examples of symbols that can be used for visual inspection are arrows, circles, crosses, dots, lines, etc. They can be used to indicate the location, type, size, and direction of defects.
What are some examples of acceptance levels that can be used for visual inspection?
Some examples of acceptance levels that can be used for visual inspection are level A (high quality), level B (medium quality), level C (low quality), level D (rejectable quality), etc. They can be based on the specifications and standards that apply to the welds.
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