Ultrasonic testing of welded joints in pipelines. New techniques and instruments

The paper describes a technique for ultrasonic testing of welded joints in pipelines of small diameters (10 to 530 mm) with thin walls (2 to 10 mm). A highly efficient technique of ultrasonic testing using "chord" transducers with elastic protective covers in combination with general- or spccial-pur pose flaw indicators is suggested. The technique has been practically teste d for several years. Possibility of recording results of ultrasonic tests w ith the help of specialized portable instruments is discussed. Results of p ractical utilization of the developed techniques and instruments in detecti ng real defects are given.