Quality Evaluation of Welding Joints by Different Methods

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the quality evaluation of the weld joints on welded pipes used in industrial energy. The quality evaluation of the weld joints was performed by two methods. Using technical methods, welding faults and defects were examined, identified and evaluated by a metallographic analysis on the macrostructure of welds. According to ISO 6520-1:2007, the faults and defects were detected and classified into the group and classified into quality levels using ISO 5817:2008-03. Two quality management tools using a Cause and effect diagram – Iskihawa diagram and a Pareto diagram also evaluated the quality control of welds. These two tools enabled to identify the causes of welding defects as well as to determine the frequency of their occurrence and to identify the most serious welding faults and defects. Both methods – technical and management, should reveal shortcomings in both technical, technological and personnel aspect. Their use should contribute to improving the welding process of pipes in operation and to increasing the safety of piping systems.