TYPE

OF
DISCONTINUITY

PRESSURE VESSELS
ASME SEC VIII, DIVISION 1: 2001 EDITION
FULL RADIOGRAPHY

SPOT RADIOGRAPHY

CRACKS

NONE ALLOWED UW-51

NONE ALLOWED UW-52

INCOMPLETE
PENETRATION:
ROOT PASS

NONE ALLOWED UW-51

NONE ALLOWED UW-52

NONE ALLOWED UW-51

NONE ALLOWED UW-52

NONE ALLOWED UW-51

NONE ALLOWED UW-52

NONE ALLOWED UW-51

NONE ALLOWED UW-52

NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED

NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED

(See Elongated or Rounded

(See Elongated or Rounded

Indications Below)

Indications Below)

UW-51

UW-51

INCOMPLETE
PENETRATION:
DUE TO HI/LO FIT-UP
OR CROSS PENETRATION
(IDP) OR (ICP)
INCOMPLETE FUSION:
ROOT PASS OR SURFACE
(IF)
INCOMPLETE FUSION:
SIDEWALL OR BETWEEN
BEADS(COLD LAP) (IF)

BURN THROUGH (BT)

VT

VT

Smoothly contoured concavity permitted if equal

INTERNAL CONCAVITY
(IC)

weld reinforcement is provided.

if equal weld reinforcement is provided

UW-35, d

UW-35, d

RT

RT

See Elongated or Rounded indications below

See Elongated or Rounded indications below

UW-51

UW-52

VT (UW-35)

VT (UW-35)

The weld must be free of ripples, grooves, over-

UNDERCUT:
ROOT OR CAP PASS (UC)

Smoothly contoured concavity permitted

The weld must be free of ripples, grooves, overlap,

lap, abrupt ridges or valleys. Reduction in the

abrupt ridges or valleys. Reduction in the

thickness from welding shall not exceed 1/32"

thickness from welding shall not exceed 1/32"

or 10%t.

or 10%t.

RT

(See Elongated or Rounded Indications Below)

UW-51
Nominal Thickness

Max Length

GENERAL ELONGATED
< 3/4"
1/4"
INDICATIONS AND/OR
3/4" to 2 1/4"
1/3t
SLAG INCLUSIONS: (SI)
>2 1/4"
3/4"
Elongated Slag Inclusions(ESI) Aligned indications shall not exceed t in a length
Isolated Slag Inclusions(ISI) of 12t, unless the distance between successive
indications exceeds 6L.

RT

(See Elongated or Rounded Indications Below)

UW-52
Maximum lengh of 2/3t,with 3/4" Max. Maximun
total length is t in a length of 6t with 3/4"
maximum. If indications are aligned, the sum
of the longest dimensions of all indications shall
not exceed t in a length of 6t and the longest
indications are separated by at least 3L.
Any indication less than 1/4 " is acceptable.

UW-51
(See Note 4)

UW-52
(See Note 6)

(See Note 4)

(See Note 6)

Max. size of any indication shall be the

Rounded indications are not a factor in the

smaller of 1/4" or 5/32". Isolated indications

acceptability of welds not required to be

seperated from adjacent indications by 1" or

fully radiographed.

more, may be the smaller of 1/3 t of 1/4".

POROSITY OR
ROUNDED INDICATIONS
(P), (CP) & (HB)

For thicknesses greater than 2" the max.

permissible size of isolated indications is 3/8".
Aligned indications shall not exceed t in a
length of 12 t. Clusters shall not exceed the
lesser of 1" or 2t. If more than one cluster, the
sum of lengths shall not exceed 1" in a 6"
length weld.
UW-51
(See Note 3)

NOM. THICKNESS

WELD REINFORCEMENT
(VT CRITERIA)

MISALIGNMENT
(VT CRITERIA)

UW-52
(See Note 4)

Cat. B & C
butt welds

Other Welds

GENERAL NOTES AND

OTHER NDE
Note 1:
Note 2:
Note 3:
Note 4:

Cat. B & C butt

welds

Other Welds

less than 3/32"

3/32"

1/32"

less than 3/32"

3/32"

1/32"

3/32" to 3/16" incl.

1/8"

1/16"

3/32" to 3/16" incl.

1/8"

1/16"

Over 3/16" to 1/2" incl.

5/32"

3/32"

Over 3/16" to 1/2" incl.

5/32"

3/32"

Over 1/2" to 1" incl.

3/16"

3/32"

Over 1/2" to 1" incl.

3/16"

3/32"

Over 1" to 2" incl.

1/4"

1/8"

Over 1" to 2" incl.

1/4"

1/8"

Over 2" to 3" incl.

1/4"

5/32"

Over 2" to 3" incl.

1/4"

5/32"

Over 3" to 4" incl.

1/4"

7/32"

Over 3" to 4" incl.

1/4"

7/32"

Over 4" to 5" incl.

1/4"

1/4"

Over 4" to 5" incl.

1/4"

1/4"

Over 5"

5/16"

5/16"

Over 5"

5/16"

5/16"

NOM. THICKNESS

CIRCUM. JOINT

LONG. JOINT

NOM. THICKNESS

CIRCUM. JOINT

LONG. JOINT

1/2"

1/4t

1/4t

1/2"

1/4t

1/4t

>1/2" to 3/4"

1/4t

1/8"

>1/2" to 3/4"

1/4t

1/8"

>3/4" to1 1/2"

3/16"

1/8"

>3/4" to1 1/2"

3/16"

1/8"

>1 1/2" to 2"

1/8t

1/8"

>1 1/2" to 2"

1/8t

over 2"

lesser of 1/8t

lesser of 1/16t

or 3/4"

or 3/8"

(note 8)

ACCUMULATIONS OF
DISCONTINUITIES

NOM. THICKNESS

over 2"

1/8"

lesser of 1/8t

lesser of 1/16t

or 3/4"

or 3/8"

(note 8)
NOT COVERED

NOT COVERED

For UT: See code case 2235-2, Appendix 12,

For UT: See code case 2235-2, Appendix 12,

UW-11(a) and UW-51(b).

UW-11(a) and UW-51(b).

Tw is the nominal wall thickness of the thinner of two components being joined by a butt weld.
The height of reinforcement or internal protrusion in any plane through the weld shall be within the limits shown.
Reference ASME Section VIII, Division 1 (Appendix 4).
"t" is the thickness of the weld, excluding reinforcement. For butt welds, joining two members of different thicknesses at
the weld, (t) is the thinner of the two thicknesses.

PROCESS PIPING

PIPELINES

ASME B31.3, 1999 EDITION (See Note 7)

API STD. 1104, 19th EDITION

SEVERE CYCLIC CONDITIONS(100% RADIOGRAPHY)

NORMAL FLUID SERVICE(5% RADIOGRAPHY)

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

Linear Cracks NOT ALLOWED.

Shallow crater/star cracks 5/32" long are
acceptable
(9.3.10)
Maximum of 1" length for individual

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

Maximum depth of 1/32" and 20% of wall thickness

indication; Combined total of indications

Maximum length of 1.5" in 6" of weld

maximum of 1" length in any continuous

NONE ALLOWED IN LONGITUDINAL WELDS

12" of weld, or 8% of the weld length if less

Table 341.3.2

than 12".

(9.3.1)

IPD - Maximum individual length of 2".

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

Maximum depth of 1/32" and 20% of wall thickness

Maximum aggregate length of 3" in12" of

Maximum length of 1.5" in 6" of weld

continuous weld. ICP - Max. individual

NONE ALLOWED IN LONGITUDINAL WELDS

length 2". Max. aggtregate lingth of 2" in

and 12" of continuous weld.

Table 341.3.2

(9.3.2 and 9.3.3)

Maximum of 1" length for individual
indication; Combined total of indications

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

maximum of 1" length in any continuous

12" of weld, or 8% of the weld length if less
than 12".

(9.3.2)

Maximum of 2" length for individual

indication; Combined total of indications
NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

maximum of 2" length in any continuous

12" of weld, or 8% of the weld length if less
than 12".

(9.3.5)

Maximum dimension shall not exceed1/4" or the

NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED

NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED

thinnest of the pipewall thicknesses being joined.

(See Elongated or Rounded

(See Elongated or Rounded

The sum of the maximum dimensions of separate

Indications Below)

Indications Below)

Table 341.3.2

Table 341.3.2

burn-thoughs shall not exceed 1/2" in any continuous

12" of weld, or the total weld length, whichever is
less. The density of any oportion or it's image
shall not exceed that of the thinnest adjacent
base metal.

(9.3.7)

Internal concavity shall not reduce the total

Internal concavity shall not reduce the total

For an area exceeding the density of the

thickness of the joint, including allowable

thickness of the joint, including allowable

thinnest base metal, wee the criteria for

reinforcement, to less than the thickness of the

reinforcement, to less than the thickness of the

Burn-Through.

thinner of the components being joined.

thinner of the components being joined.

(9.3.6)

Table 341.3.2

Table 341.3.2
The total length of internal and external
VT ONLY: Maximum depth of 1/32" and 25%
of wall thickness.

NONE ALLOWED Table 341.3.2

NONE ALLOWED IN LONGITUDINAL WELDS

undercut shall not exceed 2" in 12" of weld.

The total accumulative shall not exceed 1/6
of the weld length.

Table 341.3.2
(9.3.11)
Maximum individual length: 1/3Tw

Maximum individual length: 2Tw

Max. width of ESI is 1/16". Max. combined length of

Maximum width: 1/3 Tw and 3/32"

Maximum width: 1/2 Tw and 1/8"

ISI indications shall not exceed 8% of weld length.

Maximum Cumulative length: Tw in any 12 Tw of

Maximum Cumulative length: 4Tw in any 6" of

weld length

weld length

FOR PIPE OF <2.375"

Length of ESI indications shall not exceed 3 Tw.
Combined length of ISI indications shall not exceed

Table 341.3.2
(See note 1)

Table 341.3.2
(See note 1)

2 Tw and the width not to exceed 1/2 Tw.

FOR PIPE OF 2.375"
Length of ESI indications shall not exceed 2" in any
continuous 12" of weld. Combined length of ISI
indications shall not exceed 1/2" in any continuous

12" weld. Max. width of ISI is 1/8". Max. of 4 ISI

indications with 1/8" width in any 12" of weld.
(9.3.8)
For thickness 1/4" see ASME Section VIII, Div 1:
UW-51 (Appendix 4.

Spherical:
Max. dimension 1/8" or 25% Tw (9.3.9.2)

For thickness >1/4", all dimensions in Appendix 4

Cluster:

are multiplied by 1.5(i.e. Maximum size of indications

Max. 1/2" diameter with max. individual pore

shall be .375t or .234".

dimension of 1/16". Max. combined length 1/2" in

any 12" of weld. (9.3.9.3)

(See ASME Section VIII, Div. 1, App4)

Hollow Bead
Max length is 1/2". Combined length of indications
shall not exceed 2"in any continuous 12" of weld.

Table 341.3.2

Individual indication greater than 1/4" in length shall

be separated by 2". Max. combined length of
Table 341.3.2
(See Note 3)

Tw

Max. Height

indications 8% of weld length.

(See Note 4)

Tw

Max. Height
1/16"

1/4"

1/16"

1/4"

>1/4" to 1/2"

1/8"

>1/4" to 1/2"

1/8"

>1/2" to 1"

5/32"

>1/2" to 1"

5/32"

Over 1"

3/16"

Over 1"

3/16"

(9.3.9.4)

NOT COVERED
(See note 1 & 2)

(See note 1 & 2)

The inside diameter of components at ends to be

The inside diameter of components at ends to be

Maximum of 1/8". Greater offset caused by

joined must be aligned within the engineering design

joined must be aligned within the engineering design

dimensional variations shall be equally distributed

and weld proceedure. If external surfaces of the two

and weld proceedure. If external surfaces of the two

arounr the circumference of the pipe.

components are not aligned, the weld shall be tapered components are not aligned, the weld shall be tapered
between the two surfaces.

between the two surfaces.

320.4.3

320.4.3
(7.2)

NOT COVERED

NOT COVERED

Maximum of 2"in any 12" or 8% of weld length

excluding high-lo condition.

Ultrasonicacceptance criteria is given in

Ultrasonicacceptance criteria is given in

The company may reject any weld that appears to

para. 344.6.2

para. 344.6.2

meet these standards, if in it's opinion, the flaw

For Category M service this column applies but

could be detrimental.

the coverage is 20% RT.

For UT: Acceptance Criteria 9.6.1
Note 6: "L" is the length of the longest indication under consideration.
Note 7: B31.3 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA- Where two limiting values are separated by "and", the lesser of the values determines acceptance.
Where the two sets of values are separated by "or", the lager of the values is acceptable.
Note 8: Any misalignment within these tolerances shall be faired at a 3:1 taper or re-aligned.
Note 9: (for B31.1) tm = whichever is applicable: 1) as defined in Para. 104.1.2(A) 2) the min. wall thicknessof the component or fitting
(or the thinner of the two) when the joint is between two compoments.

STORAGE TANKS

BOILERS

POWER PIPING

API STD. 650, TENTH EDITION

ASME Section I, 2001 EDITION

ASME B31.1, 2001 EDITION

NONE ALLOWED
(See ASME Section VIII, Div 1, UW-51)

NONE ALLOWED
PW-51

NONE ALLOWED
136.4.5

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

(5.3.2.1)

PW-51

136.4.5

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

(5.3.2.1)

PW-51

136.4.5

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

(5.3.2.1)

PW-51

136.4.5

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

NONE ALLOWED

(5.3.2.1)

PW-51

136.4.5

NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED

NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED

(Same as ASME Section 1)

(See elongated or rounded indications below)

(See elongated or rounded indications below)

136.4.5

Smoothly contoured concavity permitted if

(See ASME Section VIII, Div 1, UW-51)

equal weld reinforcement is provided.

Root concacvity not allowed

when there is an abrupt
density change

PW-35.1

VT

VT (PW-35)

Verticle Butt Joints: 1/64" Maximum

The weld must be free of ripples, groves, overlaps,

Horizontal Butt Joints: 1/32" Maximum

abrupt ridges or valleys. Reduction in the thickness

Attachment welds: 1/64" Maximum

from welding shall not exceed 1/32" or 10%t.

(Same as ASME Section 1)

136.4.5

RT
RT

(See elongated or rounded indications below)

(See ASME Section VIII, Div 1, UW-51)

PW-51
Nominal Thickness
< 3/4"
3/4" to 2 1/4"
>2 1/4"

Max Length
1/4"
1/3t
3/4"

Aligned indications shall not exceed t in a length

(See ASME Section VIII, Div 1, UW-51)

of 12t, unless the distance between successive

indications exceeds 6L.

(Same as ASME Section 1)

136.4.5

PW-51
(See Note 4)

(See Note 6)

Max. size of any indication shall be the

smaller of 1/4" or 5/32". Isolated indications
seperated from adjacent indications by 1" or
more, may be the smaller of 1/3 t of 1/4".
For thicknesses greater than 2" the max.
(See ASME Section VIII, Div 1, UW-51)

(Same as ASME Section 1)

permissible size of isolated indications is 3/8".

136.4.5

Aligned indications shall not exceed t in a

length of 12 t. Clusters shall not exceed the
lesser of 1" or 2t. If more than one cluster, the
sum of lengths shall not exceed 1" in a 6"
length weld.
PW-51
(See Note 3)

Plate thickness

Max Reinforcement

1/2"

1/16"

>1/2" to 1"

3/32"

>1"

1/8"

(See Note 4)

Maximum Reinforcement, in.

The greater of (tm + 0.15") or 1.15tm

NOM. THICKNESS

CIRCUM. JOINT

OTHER WELDS

<1/8"

3/32"

3/32"

>1/8 TO 3/16"

1/8"

3/32"

>3/16" TO 1/2"

5/32"

3/32"

The greater of (tm + 0.15") or 1.10t

>1/2" TO 1"

3/16"

3/32"

when ordered on a nominal wall basis.

>1" TO 2"

1/8"

>2" TO 3"

The greater of

5/32"

Note: These parameters are from the RT criteria in

>3" TO 4"

1/4" or 1/8 times

7/32"

Para. 6.1.3.4. For general requirements see

>4" TO 5"

the width of the

1/4"

Over 5"

weld, in inches.

5/16"

Para. 5.2.1.5.

when ordered on a minimum wall basis.

127.4.2

(See Note 9)
VERT. MISALIGNMENT
Thickness

HORIZ. MISALIGNMENT

Maximum Thickness

5/8"

1/16"

5/16"

> 5/8"

lesser of

> 5/16"

10%t or
1/8"

NOM. THICKNESS

CIRCUM. JOINT

Maximum

1/2"

1/4t

1/4t

max. 1/16"

>1/2" to 3/4"

1/4t

1/8"

>3/4" to1 1/2"

3/16"

1/8"

1/16"

>1 1/2" to 2"

1/8t

1/8"

127.3

20% of
upper

over 2"

plate. Max
1/8"

LONG. JOINT

lesser of 1/8t

lesser of 1/16t

or 3/4"

or 3/8"

(note 8)

NOT COVERED

NOT COVERED

For UT: The acceptance criteria shall be agreed upon For UT: See PW-52
by the purchaser and manufacturer.
Para. 6.3

For UT: See PW-52

RT

Geometric Unsharpness may not exceed

.07"

NOT COVERED