AWS Destructive & Non-Destructive Testing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which destructive test measures the force required to pull apart two welded pieces in opposite directions along the weld axis?
- Guided bend test
- Tensile test (Correct answer)
- Nick-break test
- Fillet weld shear test
Correct answer: Tensile test
The tensile test applies axial pulling force to measure a weld's ultimate tensile strength and ductility.
Question 2: In ultrasonic testing (UT), what does a high-amplitude signal returning earlier than expected typically indicate?
- A surface crack near the transducer (Correct answer)
- Incomplete fusion deep in the joint
- Normal back-wall reflection
- Porosity at mid-thickness
Correct answer: A surface crack near the transducer
An early, high-amplitude echo in UT indicates a reflector located close to the transducer, consistent with a near-surface discontinuity.
Question 3: Which AWS standard governs the qualification of welding procedure specifications (WPS) for structural steel?
- AWS D1.1 (Correct answer)
- AWS B2.1
- AWS D1.6
- AWS D1.3
Correct answer: AWS D1.1
AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code—Steel, sets the requirements for WPS qualification including required mechanical tests.
Question 4: A fillet weld break test is performed primarily to evaluate which weld characteristic?
- Tensile strength of the base metal
- Internal soundness and fusion to the root (Correct answer)
- Surface finish and weld profile
- Heat-affected zone hardness
Correct answer: Internal soundness and fusion to the root
The fillet weld break (macro) test fractures the weld to reveal internal discontinuities such as lack of fusion, porosity, and cracks.
Question 5: In liquid penetrant testing, what is the purpose of the developer?
- To clean the surface before applying penetrant
- To draw entrapped penetrant out of discontinuities for visibility (Correct answer)
- To remove excess penetrant from the surface
- To demagnetize the part after inspection
Correct answer: To draw entrapped penetrant out of discontinuities for visibility
The developer acts as a blotting agent, drawing the penetrant out of open discontinuities to create a visible indication.
Question 6: Which type of radiographic film density is typically required for acceptable weld radiographs per AWS standards?
- 0.5 to 1.0
- 1.8 to 4.0 (Correct answer)
- 4.5 to 6.0
- 0.1 to 0.5
Correct answer: 1.8 to 4.0
AWS D1.1 requires a minimum film density of 1.8 and a maximum of 4.0 for acceptable radiographic interpretation.
Question 7: During a guided bend test, cracking that occurs in the heat-affected zone rather than the weld metal most likely indicates:
- Excessive reinforcement height
- Porosity in the weld root
- Hydrogen-induced cracking or HAZ embrittlement (Correct answer)
- Incorrect bend radius on the test jig
Correct answer: Hydrogen-induced cracking or HAZ embrittlement
HAZ cracking during bend testing typically signals hydrogen cracking or excessive HAZ hardness due to rapid cooling or high-carbon-equivalent base metal.
AWS Destructive & Non-Destructive Testing 2
Which destructive test measures the force required to pull apart two welded pieces in opposite directions along the weld axis?