Development of Graded Reference Radiographs for Aluminum Welds. Phase 1.

Abstract : The purpose of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project was to develop a data bank for graded sets of reference radiographs of aluminum welds. Reference radiographic documents of this type are extremely valuable for procurements related to ships, aircraft, other vehicles, construction and similar projects that include aluminum welds. The reference radiographs serve as a recognized way of acceptance or rejection of welds. There are no recognized standards for graded reference radiographs of aluminum welds. The only alternative at present is to use graded sets of reference radiographs for steel welds such as ASTM standard E-390. This is not a technically acceptable alternative because the radiographic contrasts and general appearance are different for steel welds as compared to aluminum welds. During this Phase I project, a data bank of production radiographs of aluminum welds was collected. Several thousand radiographs are presently in the data bank. From this data bank, a set of proposed reference radiographs has been assembled. These include five grades of reference radiographs for three types of porosity, fine scattered porosity, coarse scattered porosity and linear porosity. The suggested reference radiograph document also includes three grades of clustered porosity, two illustrations of inadequate penetration, two illustrations of tungsten inclusions, and examples of longitudinal and transverse cracks, lack of fusion and undercut. (JES)