Evaluation of tensile strength of partial penetration butt welded joints by ultrasonic testing

Partial penetration butt welded joints are widely used because they require relatively less weld metal for fabrication. However, incomplete penetration acts as a crack-like flaw. When the size of flaw in a material is known, the tensile strength of the material can be evaluated using fracture mechanics. This paper deals with a practical method of estimating the size of flaw (the incomplete penetration of a partial penetration butt welded joint) by ultrasonic testing (UT). The refraction angle of the probe and the method of UT are discussed. In addition, tensile strengths of welded joints are evaluated using fracture mechanics, and are found to be in good agreement with experimental results.