ACCEPTANCE / REJECTION CRITERIA FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTS RESULTS:

Symbol

Measure

A
B

Extent of imperfection
Depth of incomplete penetration
Cumulative length of incomplete penetration

D
E

F
G

H
I
J
K
L

Acceptable Value Limits (Note 6)

Zero (no evident imperfection)

0.8 mm (1/32 in.) and 0.2Tw
38 mm (1.5 in.) in any 150 mm
(6 in.) weld length
Depth of lack of fusion and incomplete penetration
0.2Tw
Cumulative length of lack of fusion and incomplete penetration [Note (7)] 38 mm (1.5 in.) in any 150 mm
(6 in.) weld length
Size and distribution of internal porosity
See BPV Code, Section VIII, Division
I, Appendix 4
Size and distribution of internal porosity
For Tw 6.4 mm ( in.), limit is
same as D For Tw > 6.4 mm ( in.),
limit is 1.5 X D
Slag inclusion or elongated indication Individual length Individual width
Tw/3 2.4 mm (3/32 in.) and
Cumulative length
Tw/3 Tw in any 12Tw weld length
Slag inclusion or elongated indication Individual length Individual width
2Tw 3.2 mm (1/8 in.) and Tw/2
Cumulative length
4Tw in any 150 mm (6 in.) weld
length
Depth of undercut
0.8 mm (1/32 in.) and Tw/4
Depth of undercut
1.6 mm (1/16 in.) and Tw/4 or 0.8
mm (1/32 in.)
Surface roughness
< 500 min. Ra per ASME B46.1
Depth of root surface concavity
Total joint thickness, incl. weld reinf.,
Tw
Height of reinforcement or internal protrusion [Note (8)] in any plane
For Tw mm (in.) Height, mm (in.)
through the weld shall be within limits of the applicable height value in
6.4 () 1.6 (1/16) > 6.4 (),

the tabulation at right. Weld metal shall merge smoothly into the
component surfaces.
M
**

Height of reinforcement or internal protrusion [Note (8)] as describe in L

Tungsten Inclusions

12.7 () 3.2 (1/8) > 12.7 (),

25.4 (1) 4.0 (5/32) > 25.4 (1) 4.8
(3/16)
Limit is 2L
To be evaluated as rounded
indications. Elongated or aligned
tungsten inclusions are
unacceptable.

Tw = Nominal wall thickness of the thinner of two components joined by a butt weld.
Notes:
1. Criteria given are for required examination. More stringent criteria may be specified in the engineering design. See also
paragraphs. 341.5 and 341.5.3 of ASME/ANSI B31.3
2. Longitudinal groove weld includes straight and spiral seam. Criteria are not intended to apply to welds made in accordance
with a standard listed in Table A-I or Table 326.1 of ASME B31.1.
3. Fillet weld includes socket and seal welds, and attachment for slip-on flanges and branch reinforcement.
4. Branch connection weld includes pressure containing welds in branches and fabricated laps.
5. These imperfections are evaluated only for welds 5 mm (3/16 in.) in nominal thickness.
6. Where two limiting values are separated by "and", the lesser of the values determines acceptance. Where two sets of value
are separated by "or", the larger value is acceptable.
7. Tightly butted unfused root faces are unacceptable.
8. For groove welds, height is the lesser of the measurements made from the surfaces of the adjacent components. For fillet
welds, height is measured from the theoretical throat, Fig. 328.5.2A, of ASME/ANSI B31.3 internal protrusion does not apply.

API-1104, ASME/ANSI B31.4, ASME/ANSI B31.8

Following Table is applicable in determining the size and type of discontinuities when viewing radiographs for final
acceptance in accordance with API-1104, ASME/ANSI B31.4, Paragraph 434.8.5, and ASME/ANSI B31.8.
Indication/Defect
Inadequate Penetration
(IP) (without high-low)

Unacceptable if any of the following conditions exist:

1. Length of an individual indication of IP exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
2. The aggregate length of indications of IP in any continuous 304.8 mm (12") length of weld
exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
3. The aggregate length of indications of IP exceeds 8% of the weld length in any weld less than
304.8 mm (12") in length.
Inadequate Penetration
1. Length of an individual indication of IPD exceeds 50.8 mm (2.0").
due to High-Low (IPD)
2. The aggregate length of indications of IP in any continuous 304.8 mm (12") length of weld
exceeds 76.2 mm (3.0").
Incomplete Fusion (IF)
1. Length of an individual indication of IF exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
2. The aggregate length of indications of IF in any continuous 304.8 mm (12") length of weld
exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
3. The aggregate length of indications of IF exceeds 8% of the weld length in any weld less than
304.8 mm (12") in length.
Incomplete Fusion due to
1. Length of an individual indication of IFD exceeds 50.8 mm (2.0").
Cold Lap (IFD)
2. The aggregate length of indications of IFD in any continuous 304.8 mm (12") length of weld
exceeds 50.8 mm (2.0").
3. The aggregate length of indications of IFD exceeds 8% of the weld length.

Internal Concavity (IC)

Any length of IC is acceptable provided the density of the radiographic image of the IC does not
exceed that of the thinnest adjacent base metal. For areas that exceed the density of the thinnest
adjacent base metal, the criteria for burn through are applicable.

Pipe OD 2-3/8"
1. Maximum dimension exceeds 6.35 mm (")

Pipe OD < 2-3/8"

1. Maximum dimension exceeds 6.35 mm (")

and the density of the BT's image exceeds

and the density of the BT's image exceeds
that of the thinnest adjacent base metal.
that of the thinnest adjacent base metal.
2. Maximum dimension exceeds the thinner of
2. Maximum dimension exceeds the thinner of
nominal wall thicknesses joined, and the
nominal wall thicknesses joined, and the
density of the BT's image exceeds that of the
density of the BT's image exceeds that of
Burn-Through (BT)
thinnest adjacent base metal.
the thinnest adjacent base metal.
3. Sum of maximum dimensions of separate BTs 3. More than one BT of any size is present and
whose image density exceeds that of the
the density of more than one of the images
thinnest adjacent base metal exceeds 12.7
exceeds that of the thinnest adjacent base
mm (") in 304.8 mm (12") of weld or the
metal.
total weld length, whichever is less.
Slag Inclusions
Pipe OD < 2-3/8"
Pipe OD 2-3/8"
Elongated (ESI)
Unacceptable if:
Unacceptable if:
Isolated (ISI)
1. ESI > 3 X nominal WT of the thinner
1. ESI length > 2".
Note: ESI indications
thickness joined.
2. ESI width > 1/16".
separated by approx.
3. Sum of the lengths of ISI > 1/2" in 12" of weld. 2. ESI width > 1/16.
width of root bead (wagon
3. Sum of ISI lengths > 2 X nominal WT of
4. Width of ISI > 1/8".
tracks) to be considered
thinner thickness joined and ISI width > 1/2
5. > 4 ISI with maximum width of 1/8" in any 12"
as a single indication
nominal WT of thinner thickness joined.
of weld.
unless the width of either
4. Aggregate length of ESI & ISI > 8% of weld
6. Sum of the lengths of ESI & ISI > 8% of weld
> 1/32". In that event,
length.
length.
they shall be considered
as separate indications.
Porosity - individual /
Unacceptable if:
Scattered (P) Note: Size
1. Size of individual pore > 1/8".
based on maximum
2. Size of individual pore > 25% of thinner WT joined.
dimensions
3. Distribution of Porosity exceeds API 1104 Porosity Charts.
Porosity - Cluster (CP)
Unacceptable if:
1. CP dia. > ".

Aggregate length of CP > " in any continuous 12" of weld.

3. An individual pore within a cluster > 1/16" in size.
Unacceptable if:
1. Length of individual HB > 1/2".
2. Sum of HB lengths > 2" in any continuous 12" of weld.
3. Individual HB > 1/4" separated by < 2 .
4. Sum of HB lengths > 8% weld length.
2.

Porosity - Hollow-Bead
(HB)

Cracks (C)

Any size or location of cracks are unacceptable except for shallow crater or star cracks. Shallow
crater or star crack length > 5/32" is unacceptable.
Undercutting Adjacent Unacceptable if:
to cover pass (EU)
1. Any combination EU & IU length > 2" in any continuous 12" of weld.
Adjacent to root pass (IU)
2. Sum of EU & IU lengths in any combination > 1/6 of weld length.
Tungsten Inclusions
Individual tungsten inclusions are be evaluated as rounded indications (Porosity). Elongated or
aligned tungsten inclusions are unacceptable.
Accumulation of
Unacceptable if:
Discontinuities Excluding
1. Sum lengths of indications > 2" in any continuous 12" of weld.
IPD, EU & IU
2. Sum lengths of indication > 8% of weld length.
Pipe / Fitting
Arc burns, long seam discontinuities and other discontinuities in the pipe or fittings detected by RT
Discontinuities
shall be recordable.

AWS D1.1
Statically Loaded Structures

Table 4-1 (AWS DI.I Paragraph 8.15.3.2) and figure 4-1 together establish the rejection criteria for radiographic indications of
statically loaded structures. Discontinuities exceeding the following limitations shall be unacceptable. (E = weld size; T =
material thickness)
Indication
Cracks
Elongated Discontinuities
Clearance between
discontinuities
Rounded Discontinuities

Rejection Criteria
None permitted
> maximum size of chart 4-1
< minimum clearance allowance of fig 4-1

> E/3 or > 1/4" for T 2" > E/3 or > 3/8" for T > 2" Minimum clearance between a rounded
discontinuity > 3/32" to an acceptable rounded or elongated discontinuity or to an edge or end of an
intersection shall be three (3) times the larger discontinuity.
Isolated Discontinuity, i.e. Sum of greatest dimension > maximum size of a single discontinuity permitted in Fig. 4-1 Minimum
a cluster of rounded
clearance to another cluster or elongated discontinuity or to an edge or end of an intersecting shall
indications
be three (3) times the larger discontinuity.
Sum of Individual
Shall not exceed 2E/3 or 3/8" whichever is less in 1" of weld.
Discontinuities Each
being < 3/32 "
In-Line Discontinuities
Sum > E in any length of 6E. Where length of weld is < 6E, permissible sum shall be
proportionately less.
Tungsten Inclusions
Individual tungsten inclusions are to be evaluated as rounded indications (Porosity). Elongated or
aligned tungsten inclusions are unacceptable.