Appendix I - Acceptance Criteria
1.
ASME SECTION I, Paragraph PW-51, ASME SECTION VIII
DIVISION I, ASME B31.1, Paragraph 136.4.5, API 650
TABLE 1-1 - Maximum Discontinuity Size Allowed
ASME Sec. I;
ASME B31.1(Power
ASME Sec. VIII, Div. I,
Para. UW-51; API 650
ASME Sec VIII Div. I,
Paragraph UW-52
Piping like Power plants)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
6.0 mm (¼") for t up to
19.0 mm (¾") inclusive;
1/3t for t from 19.0 mm (¾")
to 57.0 mm (2¼") inclusive;
19 mm (¾") for t over
57 mm (2¼")
aggregate length greater
than t in a length of 12t,
except when the distance
between successive
indications exceeds 6L
where L is the longest
indication in the group
6.0 mm (¼") for t up to
19.0 mm (¾");
1/3t for t from 19.0 mm (¾")
to 57.0 mm (2¼") inclusive;
19 mm (¾") for t over
57 mm (2¼")
aggregate length greater
than t in a length of 12t,
except when the distance
between successive
indications exceeds 6L
where L is the longest
indication in the group
2/3 t where t is the thickness
of the weld excluding
allowed reinforcement
Porosity &
Rounded
Indications
Tungsten
Refer to section 5.2 of this
SAEP
Refer to section 5.2 of this
SAEP
Refer to section 5.2 of this
SAEP.
Refer to section 5.2 of this
SAEP.
Root Concavity
Unacceptable if the density
is greater than that of the
parent material.
Defect
Crack
Lack Of Fusion
Incomplete
Penetration
Elongated
Indications
Group Of
Aligned
Indications
The sum of the longest
dimensions of all such
indications is < t in a length
of 6t & the longest
indications are separated by
3L where L is the length of
the longest indication. The
maximum length of
acceptable indication shall
be 3/4". Any such indication
shorter than 1/4" shall be
acceptable for any plate
thickness.
Round indications are not a
factor unless 100%
examination is required.
Rounded tungsten inclusions
are to be evaluated as
rounded indications per UW51. Elongated and aligned
tungsten inclusions are
unacceptable.
Rounded Indications shall be judged against the standards set forth in ASME Section VIII - Division 1,
Appendix 4.
2.
ASME B31.3 (Process Piping like Refineries, Fertilizers and Chemicals)
2.1
The type of weld joints and service conditions shall be considered
to determine the method of NDE required. Table 2-1 is to be used
with all notes and is included with this SAEP for radiographic film
interpretation..
2.2
Porosity - Refer to Table 1.1 of this appendix.
Table 2-2 - Acceptance Criteria for Table 2-1
Symbol
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
**
Measure
Extent of imperfection
Depth of incomplete penetration
Cumulative length of incomplete penetration
Depth of lack of fusion and incomplete
penetration
Cumulative length of lack of fusion and
incomplete penetration [Note (7)]
Size and distribution of internal porosity
Size and distribution of internal porosity
Slag inclusion or elongated indication
Individual length
Individual width
Cumulative length
Slag inclusion or elongated indication
Individual length
Individual width
Cumulative length
Depth of undercut
Depth of undercut
Surface roughness
Depth of root surface concavity
Height of reinforcement or internal protrusion
[Note (8)] in any plane through the weld shall
be within limits of the applicable height value in
the tabulation at right. Weld metal shall merge
smoothly into the component surfaces.
Height of reinforcement or internal protrusion
[Note (8)] as describe in L
Tungsten Inclusions
Acceptable Value Limits (Note 6)
Zero (no evident imperfection)
 0.8 mm (1/32 in.) and  0.2Tw
 38 mm (1.5 in.) in any 150 mm (6 in.) weld length
 0.2Tw
 38 mm (1.5 in.) in any 150 mm (6 in.) weld length
See BPV Code, Section VIII, Division I, Appendix 4
For Tw  6.4 mm (¼ in.), limit is same as D
For Tw > 6.4 mm (¼ in.), limit is 1.5 X D
 Tw/3
 2.4 mm (3/32 in.) and  Tw/3
 Tw in any 12Tw weld length
 2Tw
 3.2 mm (1/8 in.) and Tw/2
 4Tw in any 150 mm (6 in.) weld length
 0.8 mm (1/32 in.) and Tw/4
 1.6 mm (1/16 in.) and Tw/4 or 0.8 mm (1/32 in.)
< 500 min. Ra per ASME B46.1
Total joint thickness, incl. weld reinf.,  Tw
For Tw mm (in.)
Height, mm (in.)
 6.4 (¼)
 1.6 (1/16)
> 6.4 (¼),  12.7 (½)
 3.2 (1/8)
> 12.7 (½),  25.4 (1)
 4.0 (5/32)
> 25.4 (1)
 4.8 (3/16)
Limit is 2L
To be evaluated as rounded indications. Elongated
or aligned tungsten inclusions are unacceptable.
Tw = Nominal wall thickness of the thinner of two components joined by a butt weld.
Notes:
(1) Criteria given are for required examination. More stringent criteria may be specified in the engineering design. See
also paragraphs. 341.5 and 341.5.3 of ASME/ANSI B31.3
(2) Longitudinal groove weld includes straight and spiral seam. Criteria are not intended to apply to welds made in
accordance with a standard listed in Table A-I or Table 326.1 of ASME B31.1.
(3) Fillet weld includes socket and seal welds, and attachment for slip-on flanges and branch reinforcement.
(4) Branch connection weld includes pressure containing welds in branches and fabricated laps.
(5) These imperfections are evaluated only for welds 5 mm (3/16 in.) in nominal thickness.
(6) Where two limiting values are separated by "and", the lesser of the values determines acceptance. Where two sets
of values are separated by "or", the larger value is acceptable.
(7) Tightly butted unfused root faces are unacceptable.
(8) For groove welds, height is the lesser of the measurements made from the surfaces of the adjacent components.
For fillet welds, height is measured from the theoretical throat, Fig. 328.5.2A, of ASME/ANSI B31.3 internal
protrusion does not apply.
3.
API-1104(Cross country Pipe Lines), ASME/ANSI B31.4,
ASME/ANSI B31.8
Table 3-1 is applicable in determining the size and type of discontinuities
when viewing radiographs for final acceptance in accordance with API1104, ASME/ANSI B31.4, Paragraph 434.8.5, and ASME/ANSI B31.8.
Table 3-1 - Acceptance Criteria for API 1104
Indication/Defect
Inadequate Penetration (IP)
(without high-low)
Inadequate Penetration due to
High-Low (IPD)
Incomplete Fusion (IF)
Incomplete Fusion due to Cold
Lap (IFD)
Internal Concavity (IC)
Burn-Through (BT)
Unacceptable if any of the following conditions exist:
Length of an individual indication of IP exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
The aggregate length of indications of IP in any continuous 304.8 mm (12")
length of weld exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
3. The aggregate length of indications of IP exceeds 8% of the weld length in any
weld less than 304.8 mm (12") in length.
1. Length of an individual indication of IPD exceeds 50.8 mm (2.0").
2. The aggregate length of indications of IP in any continuous 304.8 mm (12")
length of weld exceeds 76.2 mm (3.0").
1. Length of an individual indication of IF exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
2. The aggregate length of indications of IF in any continuous 304.8 mm (12")
length of weld exceeds 25.4 mm (1.0").
3. The aggregate length of indications of IF exceeds 8% of the weld length in any
weld less than 304.8 mm (12") in length.
1. Length of an individual indication of IFD exceeds 50.8 mm (2.0").
2. The aggregate length of indications of IFD in any continuous 304.8 mm (12")
length of weld exceeds 50.8 mm (2.0").
3. The aggregate length of indications of IFD exceeds 8% of the weld length.
Any length of IC is acceptable provided the density of the radiographic image of the
IC does not exceed that of the thinnest adjacent base metal. For areas that exceed
the density of the thinnest adjacent base metal, the criteria for burn through are
applicable.
Pipe OD < 2-3/8"
Pipe OD  2-3/8"
1. Maximum dimension exceeds 6.35
1. Maximum dimension exceeds 6.35
mm (¼") and the density of the BT's
mm (¼") and the density of the BT's
image exceeds that of the thinnest
image exceeds that of the thinnest
adjacent base metal
adjacent base metal
2. Maximum dimension exceeds the
2. Maximum dimension exceeds the
thinner of nominal wall thicknesses
thinner of nominal wall thicknesses
joined, and the density of the BT's
joined, and the density of the BT's
image exceeds that of the thinnest
image exceeds that of the thinnest
adjacent base metal
adjacent base metal
3. More than one BT of any size is
3. Sum of maximum dimensions of
separate BTs whose image density
present and the density of more than
one of the images exceeds that of
exceeds that of the thinnest adjacent
base metal exceeds 12.7 mm (½") in
the thinnest adjacent base metal.
304.8 mm (12") of weld or the total
weld length, whichever is less.
1.
2.
Table 3-1 - Acceptance Criteria for API 1104 (Cont'd)
Indication/Defect
Slag Inclusions
Elongated (ESI)
Isolated (ISI)
Note: ESI indications separated
by approx. width of root bead
(wagon tracks) to be
considered as a single
indication unless the width of
either > 1/32". In that event,
they shall be considered as
separate indications.
Unacceptable if any of the following conditions exist:
Pipe OD < 2-3/8"
Pipe OD 2-3/8"
Unacceptable if:
Unacceptable if:
1. ESI length > 2"
1. ESI > 3 X nominal WT of the thinner
thickness joined.
2. ESI width > 1/16"
3. Sum of the lengths of ISI > 1/2" in
2. ESI width > 1/16"
3. Sum of ISI lengths > 2 X nominal
12" of weld.
4. Width of ISI > 1/8"
WT of thinner thickness joined and
ISI width > 1/2 nominal WT of
5. > 4 ISI with maximum width of 1/8"
in any 12" of weld.
thinner thickness joined.
4. Aggregate length of ESI & ISI > 8%
6. Sum of the lengths of ESI & ISI >
of weld length.
8% of weld length.
Porosity - individual / Scattered
(P)
Note: Size based on maximum
dimensions
Porosity - Cluster (CP)
Unacceptable if:
1. Size of individual pore > 1/8"
2. Size of individual pore > 25% of thinner WT joined
3. Distribution of Porosity exceeds API 1104 Porosity Charts.
Unacceptable if:
1. CP dia. > ½"
2. Aggregate length of CP > ½" in any continuous 12" of weld
3. An individual pore within a cluster > 1/16" in size.
Unacceptable if:
1. Length of individual HB > 1/2"
2. Sum of HB lengths > 2" in any continuous 12" of weld
3. Individual HB > 1/4" separated by < 2 "
4. Sum of HB lengths > 8% weld length.
Any size or location of cracks are unacceptable except for shallow crater or star
cracks. Shallow crater or star crack length > 5/32" is unacceptable.
Unacceptable if:
1. Any combination EU & IU length > 2" in any continuous 12" of weld.
2. Sum of EU & IU lengths in any combination > 1/6 of weld length.
Individual tungsten inclusions are be evaluated as rounded indications (Porosity).
Elongated or aligned tungsten inclusions are unacceptable.
Unacceptable if:
1. Sum lengths of indications > 2" in any continuous 12" of weld.
2. Sum lengths of indication > 8% of weld length.
Arc burns, long seam discontinuities and other discontinuities in the pipe or fittings
detected by RT shall be recordable.
Porosity - Hollow-Bead (HB)
Cracks (C)
Undercutting
Adjacent to cover pass (EU)
Adjacent to root pass (IU)
Tungsten Inclusions
Accumulation of Discontinuities
Excluding IPD, EU & IU
Pipe / Fitting Discontinuities
4.
AWS D1.1
Radiographic acceptance criteria for AWS D1.1 is different for
statically Loaded and Dynamically Loaded structures. This SAEP
covers only statically loaded structures.
For Dynamically loaded
structures, refer to the appropriate sections of AWS DI.I. If there is doubt
as to the designation of statically or dynamically loaded, refer to the
project engineer for determination. The radiographic film interpreter
should confirm the loading classification prior to preceding the
interpretation of film. Rejection criteria for statically loaded structures are
provided below. Note that to determine the allowable and rejectable size
of discontinuities, the use of both the tables and charts are required.
4.1
Statically Loaded Structures
Table 4-1 (AWS DI.I Paragraph 8.15.3.2) and figure 4-1 together
establish the rejection criteria for radiographic indications of
statically loaded structures. Discontinuities exceeding the
following limitations shall be unacceptable. (E = weld size; T =
material thickness)
Table 4-1 - Rejection Criteria for Statically Loaded Structures, AWS D1.1 Para
8.15.3.2
Indication
Cracks
Elongated Discontinuities
Clearance between discontinuities
Rounded Discontinuities
Isolated Discontinuity, ie. a cluster
of rounded indications
Sum of Individual Discontinuities
each being < 3/32 "
In-Line Discontinuities
Tungsten Inclusions
Rejection Criteria
None permitted
> maximum size of chart 4-1
< minimum clearance allowance of fig 4-1
> E/3 or > 1/4" for T  2"
> E/3 or > 3/8" for T > 2"
Minimum clearance between a rounded discontinuity > 3/32" to an
acceptable rounded or elongated discontinuity or to an edge or end of
an intersection shall be three (3) times the larger discontinuity.
Sum of greatest dimension > maximum size of a single discontinuity
permitted in Fig. 4-1
Minimum clearance to another cluster or elongated discontinuity or to
an edge or end of an intersecting shall be three (3) times the larger
discontinuity.
shall not exceed 2E/3 or 3/8" which ever is less in 1" of weld.
Sum > E in any length of 6E. Where length of weld is < 6E,
permissible sum shall be proportionately less.
Individual tungsten inclusions are be evaluated as rounded
indications (Porosity). Elongated or aligned tungsten inclusions are
unacceptable.
Figure 4-1 Weld Quality Requirements for Elongated Discontinuities as
Determined by Radiography for Statically Loaded Structures
(see AWS D1.1 Paragraph 6.15.3.2)