Study on Welding Defects using Ultrasonic Testing

The Non-destructive testing and evaluation of materials has become increasingly important and plays crucial role in industrial sector. In this report the non-destructive testing is conducted on similar weld plate made of mild steel using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). The weld plates are welded at different current, voltage and welding speed. The current was varied between 100,110,120 and 130amp while the voltage was varied between 20,25,30 and 35volts and welding speed is varied between 1.5,2,2.5 and 3mm/s. The ultrasonic testing technique was employed to conduct the tests; these tests will reveal the soundness of weld joint before characterization to have an idea of the quality of the welds. The ultrasonic testing technique revealed the presence of incomplete penetration defects and discontinuities in some of the weld specimens. It was found that the weld specimen produced at 120amp, 25volts, and 2mm/s were the best quality.