42 API STANDARD 1104

NOTE Shallow crater cracks or star cracks are located at the stopping point of weld beads and are the result of weld metal
contractions during solidification.

9.3.11 Undercutting

Undercutting is defined as a groove melted into the parent material adjacent to the toe or root of the weld and left
unfilled by weld metal. Undercutting adjacent to the cover pass (EU) or undercutting adjacent to root pass (IU) shall
be considered a defect should any of the following conditions exists:

a) the aggregate length of indications of EU and IU, in any combination, in any continuous 12 in. (300 mm) length of
weld exceeds 2 in. (50 mm);

b) the aggregate length of indications of EU and IU, in any combination, exceeds one-sixth of the weld length.

NOTE See 9.7 for acceptance standards for undercutting when visual and mechanical measurements are employed.

9.3.12 Accumulation of Imperfections

Excluding incomplete penetration due to high-low and undercutting, any accumulation of imperfections shall be
considered a defect should any of the following conditions exist:

a) the aggregate length of indications in any continuous 12 in. (300 mm) length of weld exceeds 2 in. (50 mm),

b) the aggregate length of indications exceeds 8 % of the weld length.

9.3.13 Base Material Imperfections

Imperfections in the base material detected by radiographic testing shall be reported to the company. The disposition
of these imperfections shall be as directed by the company.

9.4 Magnetic Particle Testing

9.4.1 Classification of Indications

Indications produced by magnetic particle testing are not necessarily imperfections. Magnetic and metallurgical
variations may produce indications that are similar to those produced by imperfections but that are not relevant to
acceptability. The following criteria apply when indications are evaluated.

a) Any indication with a maximum dimension of 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) or less shall be classified as nonrelevant. Any larger
indication believed to be nonrelevant shall be regarded as relevant until reexamined by magnetic particle or
another NDT method to determine whether or not an actual imperfection exists. The surface may be ground or
otherwise conditioned before reexamination. After an indication is determined to be nonrelevant, other
nonrelevant indications of the same type need not be reexamined.

b) Relevant indications are those caused by imperfections. Linear indications are those in which the length is more than
three times the width. Rounded indications are those in which the length is three times the width or less.

9.4.2 Acceptance Standards

Relevant indications shall be considered defects should any of the following conditions exist:

a) linear indications evaluated as crater cracks or star cracks exceed 5/32 in. (4 mm) in length,

b) linear indications are evaluated as cracks other than crater cracks or star cracks,
 WELDING OF PIPELINES AND RELATED FACILITIES 43

c) linear indications are evaluated as IF and exceed 1 in. (25 mm) in total length in a continuous 12 in. (300 mm)
length of weld or 8 % of the weld length.

Rounded indications shall be evaluated according to the criteria of 9.3.9.2 and 9.3.9.3, as applicable. For evaluation
purposes, the maximum dimension of a rounded indication shall be considered its size.

NOTE When doubt exists about the type of imperfection being disclosed by an indication, verification may be obtained by using
other NDT methods.

9.4.3 Base Material Imperfections

Imperfections in base material detected by magnetic particle testing shall be reported to the company. The disposition
of these imperfections shall be as directed by the company.

9.5 Liquid Penetrant Testing

Indications produced by liquid penetrant testing are not necessarily imperfections. Machining marks, scratches, and
surface conditions may produce indications that are similar to those produced by imperfections but that are not
relevant to acceptability. The following criteria shall apply when indications are evaluated.

a) Any indication with a maximum dimension of 1/16 in. (2 mm) or less shall be classified as nonrelevant. Any larger
indication believed to be nonrelevant shall be regarded as relevant until reexamined by liquid penetrant or another
NDT method to determine whether or not an actual imperfection exists. The surface may be ground or otherwise
conditioned before reexamination. After an indication is determined to be nonrelevant, other nonrelevant
indications of the same type need not be reexamined.

b) Relevant indications are those caused by imperfections. Linear indications are those in which the length is more
than three times the width. Rounded indications are those in which the length is three times the width or less.

9.5.2 Acceptance Standards

Relevant indications shall be considered defects should any of the following conditions exist:

a) linear indications are evaluated as crater cracks or star cracks and exceed 5/32 in. (4 mm) in length,

b) linear indications are evaluated as cracks other than crater cracks or star cracks,

c) linear indications are evaluated as IF and exceed 1 in. (25 mm) in total length in a continuous 12 in. (300 mm)
length of weld or 8 % of the weld length.

Rounded indications shall be evaluated according to the criteria of 9.3.9.2 and 9.3.9.3, as applicable. For evaluation
purposes, the maximum dimension of a rounded indication shall be considered its size.

NOTE When doubt exists about the type of imperfection being disclosed by an indication, verification may be obtained by using
other NDT methods.

9.5.3 Base Material Imperfections

Imperfections in the base material detected by liquid penetrant testing shall be reported to the company. The
disposition of these imperfections shall be as directed by the company.
44 API STANDARD 1104

9.6 Ultrasonic Testing

9.6.1.1 General

Indications produced by ultrasonic testing are not necessarily defects. Changes in the weld geometry due to
alignment offset of abutting pipe ends, changes in weld reinforcement profile of ID root and OD capping passes,
internal chamfering, and ultrasonic wave mode conversion due to such conditions may cause geometric indications
that are similar to those caused by weld imperfections but that are not relevant to acceptability.

9.6.1.2 Linear Indications

Linear indications are defined as indications with their greatest dimension in the weld length direction. Typical linear
indications may be caused by, but are not limited to, the following types of imperfections: IP, IPD, ICP, IF, IFD, ESI,
cracks, EU, IU, and HB.

9.6.1.3 Transverse Indications

Transverse indications are defined as indications with their greatest dimension across the weld. Typical transverse
indications may be caused by, but are not limited, to the following types of imperfections: cracks, ISIs, and IFD at
start/stops in the weld passes.

9.6.1.4 Volumetric Indications

Volumetric indications are defined as three-dimensional indications. Such indications may be caused by single or
multiple inclusions, voids, or pores. Partially filled voids, pores, or small inclusions at start/stops in weld passes may
cause larger indications in the transverse direction than in the weld length direction. Typical volumetric indications
may be caused by, but are not limited to, the following types of imperfections: IC, BT, ISIs, porosity, and CP.

9.6.1.5 Relevant Indications

Relevant indications are those caused by imperfections. Relevant indications shall be evaluated at the evaluation
level given in 11.4.7 to the acceptance standards given in 9.6.2.

NOTE When doubt exists about the type of imperfection being disclosed by an indication, verification may be obtained by using
other NDT methods.

9.6.2 Acceptance Standards

9.6.2.1 General

Indications shall be considered defects should any of the following conditions exist:

a) indications determined to be cracks,

b) individual indications with a vertical height (through-wall) dimension determined to be greater than one quarter of
the wall thickness,

c) multiple indications at the same circumferential location with a summed vertical height (through-wall) dimension
exceeding one quarter the wall thickness.