A554 Mechanical Tubing Weld Quality 2

[patspr]

I have a section of 6" x 4" x .25" ASTM A554 type 304 stainless rectangular tubing with a very poor quality longitudinal butt weld (undercut, craters, incomplete penetration, incomplete fusion). I want to reject it and send it back to the vendor based on the fact that it doesn't meet specification. However, I was surprised to find that weld quality is not addressed in A554. I've checked the Referenced Documents and can't find anything there either. Any help as to why weld quality is not adressed in A554 and what criteria I can use to reject this item would be much appreciated.

 

[metengr]

I reviewed the ASTM A554-86 Standard Specification. The only, and I say only, stretch that I could see regarding this specification is under part 11.1 Workmanship, Finish and Appearance.

Unless you are a certified weld inspector, I would hire an outside NDT firm (with agreement by the manufacturer) and have them perform a visual inspection of the product. This way the inspection is impartial, and perhaps you would have a leg to stand on for rejection.


Otherwise, if you would have included Supplemental Requirement S3 in the PO, you would have some basis for rejection based on a visual inspection or other NDT of the seam weld. You would need to specify the acceptance criteria and it would have to be agreed upon with the manufacturer.

 

[EdStainless]

If you didn't require any specific weld quality you are stuck. You ordered the lowest quality stainless tubing, and that is what you got.
Often A554 is ordered as orimental tubing with controled OD surface finish. This at least sets some limits on the weld condition.

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