This chapter addresses the inspection, nondestructive examination, proof testing, hardness testing, and metallographic examination of joints produced by welding and related processes. The term inspection denotes an all-encompassing quality
control or quality assurance activity that includes numerous steps applied at different stages during a component’s fabrication and service life. Therefore, this term describes activities that are performed not only at the time of manufacture but also after the component has been subjected to service. While the types of discontinuities revealed during these varying stages may differ, basic principles governing inspection activities are essentially the same. Consequently, the majority of the information presented in this chapter is applicable to new manufacture, repair operations, erection, or evaluation of components that have already been subjected to their intended service conditions
