In many industries welds are subject to some sort of nondestructive examination (NDE) to ensure their quality. Similar to welding symbols, NDE symbols are used on prints to convey testing requirements they must pass.

Like in welding symbols, NDE symbols use an arrow to indicate a joint to be tested and a reference line to communicate the required information. The arrow side/other side significance of the reference line applies to NDE symbols as well. However, some testing methods, like X-ray or ultrasound, penetrate all the way through the joint and therefore do not have arrow side/other side significance. The number of required tests may appear in parenthesis below or above the testing method symbol.

Unlike the pictorial symbols used for welding, NDE symbols use the standard abbreviation for different testing methods. The most common symbols are as follows:

• VT: visual testing or examination
• UT: ultrasonic testing
• RT: radiographic testing (X-ray)
• MT: magnetic particle testing
• PT: dye penetrant testing
• ET: eddy current testing

Attributions

1. Figure 16.41: Ultrasound Symbol by Cameron Kjeldgaard, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0