AWS B1.11M/B1.

11:2015
An American National Standard

Guide for the

Visual Examination
of Welds

 AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015
An American National Standard

Approved by the
American National Standards Institute
September 8, 2014

Guide for the Visual

Examination of Welds

3rd Edition

Supersedes AWS B1.11:2000

Prepared by the
American Welding Society (AWS) B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection

Under the Direction of the

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the
AWS Board of Directors

Abstract
This guide contains information to assist in the visual examination of welds. Included are sections on fundamentals,
surface conditions, and equipment. Sketches and full-color photographs illustrate weld discontinuities commonly found
in welds.
 AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American
Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or
made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmen-
tal bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards
must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws
and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes
the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS
standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings
together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the pro-
cess and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate,
or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

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In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or
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advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is
assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by new editions. This standard may also be corrected through publication of amend-
ments or errata, or supplemented by publication of addenda. Information on the latest editions of AWS standards includ-
ing amendments, errata, and addenda is posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org). Users should ensure that they
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AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request,
in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society,
Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166 (see Annex B).
With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered.
These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional
advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals
do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of
AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection. It must be reviewed
every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions,
or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to
AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of
Inspection and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committees response to the comments. Guests are
invited to attend all meetings of the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection to express their comments verbally.
Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the
Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 NW
36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

iii
 AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015

Personnel
AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection
W. Komlos, Chair Arc Tech LLC
R. Cook, 1st Vice Chair SME Steel Contractors
A. Moore, 2nd Vice Chair Marion Testing & Inspection
E. Abrams, Secretary American Welding Society
J. Armstrong LeTourneau Technologies, Incorporated
U. Aschemeier Subsea Global Solutions LLC
B. Baker Bechtel National, Incorporated
K. Baucher Technicon Engineering Services, Incorporated
R. Campbell Banker Steel Company
R. Clarke TEAM Industrial Services
B. Craft Trinity Industries, Incorporated
D. Crowe Massachusetts Highway Department (Retired)
C. Eure AMEC E&I
G. Gratti Arcos Industries
B. Hill Cameron Process Systems Canada
R. Holdren ARC Specialties/Welding Consultants LLC
A. Johnson Johnson Inspection
E. Levert Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
E. Lichtfusz Roush Industries
C. Mankenberg Shell International Exploration & Production
R. McCabe Consultant
J. Mehta Alta Vista Solutions
T. Studebaker St. Louis Testing
H. Thompson UL LLC

Advisors to the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection

D. Wright Wright Welding Technologies
C. Hellier The Summit Group
K. Nicholson MACTEC Engineering & Consulting, Incorporated
C. Phelps Joseph Oat Corporation

AWS B1B Subcommittee on Visual Examination of Welds

A. Moore, Chair Marion Testing & Inspection
R. Campbell Banker Steel Company
R. Clarke TEAM Industrial Services
R. Cook SME Steel Contractors
B. Craft Trinity Industries
R. Holdren Arc Specialties
A. Johnson Johnson Inspection
W. Komlos Arc Tech LLC
E. Lichtfusz Roush Industries
M. Plumley Cenergy LLC
C. Mankenberg Shell International Exploration & Production

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 AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015

Foreword
This foreword is not part of AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015, Guide for the Visual
Examination of Welds, but is included for informational purposes only.

Visual examination (VT), as used in this guide, is a nondestructive method whereby a weldment, the related base metal, and
particular phases of welding may be evaluated in accordance with applicable requirements. All visual examination methods
require the use of eyesight to evaluate the conditions which are present; hence, the term visual examination.
The use of gauges and other tools is supplemental to the main method, and these are treated only as adjuncts to visual exami-
nation of weldments.
The Guide for the Visual Examination of Welds has been prepared by the AWS B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection
to serve as a simple tutorial source of basic information concerning visual examination of welds. It is not the intent of this
document to present the only approved methods for conducting visual examination. Some typical standards are listed in
this document. It is intended that the material presented be useful to engineers, designers, educators, inspectors, and other
welding personnel who need knowledge about basic visual examination attributes, which would be essential, or desirable,
for a particular process. Included in this guide are fundamental prerequisites for performing visual examination, steps in per-
forming visual examination at various stages of welding, and also typical examples of visual examination, discontinuities
and conditions, equipment supplements and aids, records, and other reference sources which may be helpful. Terminology
used throughout this guide has been established in AWS A3.0M/A3.0, Standard Welding Terms and Definitions, Including
Terms for Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying.
This guide is intended as an instructive reference. The codes or specifications applicable to any particular weldment always
take precedence over the generalized material contained herein, should any conflict arise between the two. The text has
been written in general terms and does not include all the conditions applicable to a specific instance. Examples given
are general and are used only for the purpose of illustration.
This material can be used as a training text for inspectors. Although the information generally relates to the arc welding
processes, most of it applies to weldments fabricated by other fusion welding processes, for which these methods may
be required.
For the examination of resistance welded assemblies, refer to AWS C1.1M/C1.1, Recommended Practices for Resistance
Welding, AWS C1.3, Recommended Practices for Resistance Welding Coated Low Carbon Steels, and AWS D8.7, Recom-
mended Practices for Automotive Weld QualityResistance Spot Welding, published by the American Welding Society.
For the examination of brazed assemblies, refer to the Brazing Handbook, also published by the American Welding
Society.
For those who need more detailed information than this guide provides, bibliographies or complete books on the subjects
covered in each chapter may be found in good technical libraries. The many specifications and codes that are listed, and
have been used as illustrative examples, may also be consulted for more detailed information.
Basic information on other nondestructive examination methods is contained in AWS B1.10M/B1.10, Guide for Nondestruc-
tive Examination of Welds, and in the Welding Inspection Handbook.
All revisions to the 2000 edition are identified by a vertical line in the margin next to the text.
Comments and inquiries concerning this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS B1 Committee
on Methods of Inspection, American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130 Miami, FL 33166.

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 AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015

Table of Contents
Page No.
Personnel ......................................................................................................................................................................v
Foreword.....................................................................................................................................................................vii
List of Tables................................................................................................................................................................xi
List of Figures..............................................................................................................................................................xi
1. General .................................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Application ..................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Scope............................................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Safety and Health.........................................................................................................................................1
2. Normative References .........................................................................................................................................2
3. Qualification of Examination Personnel ...........................................................................................................2
3.1 General.........................................................................................................................................................2
3.2 Visual Acuity ...............................................................................................................................................2
3.3 Equipment....................................................................................................................................................2
3.4 Experience and Training..............................................................................................................................2
3.5 Procedures....................................................................................................................................................3
3.6 Certification Programs.................................................................................................................................3
4. Fundamentals of Visual Examination ...............................................................................................................3
4.1 General.........................................................................................................................................................3
4.2 Prior to Welding...........................................................................................................................................3
4.3 During Welding ...........................................................................................................................................5
4.4 After Welding ..............................................................................................................................................6
5. Weld Surface Conditions ....................................................................................................................................7
5.1 General.........................................................................................................................................................7
5.2 Porosity ........................................................................................................................................................7
5.3 Incomplete Fusion .....................................................................................................................................11
5.4 Incomplete Joint Penetration .....................................................................................................................11
5.5 Undercut ....................................................................................................................................................17
5.6 Underfill.....................................................................................................................................................17
5.7 Overlap ......................................................................................................................................................17
5.8 Lamination.................................................................................................................................................17
5.9 Seams and Laps .........................................................................................................................................18
5.10 Cracks ........................................................................................................................................................19
5.11 Slag Inclusions...........................................................................................................................................26
5.12 Weld Reinforcement ..................................................................................................................................26
5.13 Concavity and Convexity...........................................................................................................................27
5.14 Arc Strikes .................................................................................................................................................27
5.15 Spatter ........................................................................................................................................................27
5.16 Melt-Through.............................................................................................................................................28
5.17 Weld Size ...................................................................................................................................................28
5.18 Surface Oxidation ......................................................................................................................................30

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AWS B1.11M/B1.11:2015

Page No.
6. Examination Equipment...................................................................................................................................30
6.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................30
6.2 Calibration and Handling of Examination Equipment ..............................................................................30
6.3 Linear Measuring Devices .........................................................................................................................31
6.4 Temperature Measuring Devices ...............................................................................................................31
6.5 Weld Gauges ..............................................................................................................................................32
6.6 Fiberscopes and Borescopes ......................................................................................................................35
6.7 Ferrite Gauges............................................................................................................................................35
6.8 Light Source...............................................................................................................................................35
6.9 Electrical Meters........................................................................................................................................35
7. Records ...............................................................................................................................................................38
Annex AList of Standards Commonly Used in the Welding Industry ...................................................................41
Annex BGuidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries .............................................................................43
Annex CSample Forms...........................................................................................................................................45
Annex DInformative References ............................................................................................................................47
List of AWS Documents on Welding Inspection........................................................................................................49