1.6 mm (max) gap is what B-31.3 mandates for socket welds.5mm gap specified by your client is quite generous. Usually such larger gaps are sources of trapped process fluid, which later results in pitting/crevices and leakages and shutdowns.
RT is not mandatory for socket welds, however may be asked at the discretion of client/design requirements.
7mm gap in any socket weld is a concern and is not acceptable.
Advise would be to cut and re-weld at the discretion of the client. Also developing devices/methods to maintain the gap within B-31.3 specified limit(see below) would help to avoid such issues in future.
Regards
P.Goswami.P.Eng, IWE.
Independent Welding & Metallurgical Specialist
Saudi Aramco: Designated Project Welding Engineer(DPWR)& Quality Management Personnel
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradip-goswami-2999855/
Email:pgoswami@quickclic.net,pradip.goswami@gmail.com
Cell/Whasapp:1-905-9793232
From: Balajirajan Palanisamy [mailto:pbrerode@gmail.com]
Sent: March 20, 2019 4:07 PM
To: materials-welding@googlegroups.com
Cc: pgoswami@quickclic.net
Subject: Socket weld gap
Dear Gents,
As per B31.3 for gap it states that gap requirement is 1.5 mm before weld and not what is the allowed gap after welding. Our client spec allows gap of 5mm after welding.
During RT it was noticed 7mm and so that it was rejected. The requirement for that line RT for socket weld is 5 percentage, in 20 socket weld of that line we took 1 that too found repair and did the repair and RT accepted.
Now our client request to take 2 more extra socket weld RT to ensure the gap. Since in code or in client spec not mentioned about any extra RT requirements if repair noticed our contractor refuse to take extra RT. In this case is any code refers for extra RT for confirmation or we must follow blindly our client inspector request. Please advice.
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