What kind of inspections can be done on a weld?

Two kinds of inspections can be done on a weld - destructive and non-destructive inspections. While destructive weld inspection physically destroys a portion of the weld in order to evaluate it, non-destructive testing allows for inspection without causing damage. Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques are commonly used by weld inspection organizations in Canada, like Buffalo Inspection Services. This is due to the ability of NDT methods to accurately detect surface and subsurface flaws without destroying the weld. However, many non-destructive testing methods require skilled technicians to interpret the results and arrive at an accurate evaluation. Therefore, it is important that a certified welding inspector conducts non-destructive testing on welds.