Visual Testing (VT)

Visual Testing (VT) or visual inspection is a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method specified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Section V, Article 9 of the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, as well as a number of other standards from other inspection standardizing organizations including API (American Petroleum Institute), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and AWS (American Welding Society). It is considered to be a “surface testing method,” that uses ambient or intensified lighting, magnification lenses, rulers and measuring devices, other applications, and the trained human eye to locate and characterize discontinuities or defects. It is also considered to be the primary inspection tool that qualifies the need for other inspections tools or testing methods. VT is used to detect inherent, processing and in-service defects on all materials that are open to the surface. These may include various forms of cracking, porosity and pinholes, and welding defects such as undercut, non-fusion, cold-lap and other types of discontinuities that may be inherent to a specific welding process. It may also be used to examine the surface condition of a part, alignment of mating surfaces, shape, configuration, or evidence of leaking (bubble leak test – pictured). As an inspection tool, it is used to assure conformance to design specifications and / or applicable construction or inspection code requirements.

Reliability Inspections, LLC (RI) is code-qualified to perform all recognized methods of visual testing and visual inspection, including direct visual testing, remote visual testing and translucent testing methods, as well as various types of leak, hydro and pressure tests. We can help you determine which testing method and what types of testing equipment may be best for your application. We are also qualified and certified to evaluate and interpret testing results to applicable and appropriate design and construction codes for given applications. RI employs a number of NDT Level II’s and III’s who are ASNT certified in the VT methods and can perform the work to code or customer specified standards. Our ASNT Level IIIs can write procedures and provide testing, qualification and support for owner/user in-house VT inspection programs. Our Level II technicians can provide VT testing at our facilities or our customers, including field locations. We can provide VT services for all materials and can perform batch quantity testing of machined and other types of parts in a cost effective and efficient manner for customers who have bulk products for which quality control is essential and detailed design specifications are available.