Copyright © 2017 by The American Society

for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.

 LESSON 3
Visual Testing Techniques
VISUAL TESTING TECHNIQUES

There are two basic visual testing techniques:

1. Direct visual testing: the inspector is in the
presence of the test object with an unobstructed
view of the test surface.
2. Indirect or remote visual testing: requires a
borescope or remote-controlled camera to view
surfaces otherwise inaccessible to the inspector.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

1. If the path of the light between the surface under

inspection and the eyes of the operator is not
interrupted, the visual test is called direct (DVT).
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

2. Typically, DVT is done with the unaided eye,

although it may use mirrors or magnifiers to
enhance or transmit an image.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

3. As long as the light from the surface is optically

guided by mirrors, prisms, or lenses, it is still light
that was originally reflected from the surface to be
tested.
 No conversion of light occurs.
 The path of light is not interrupted.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

4. Most standards define the largest distance for a

direct visual test as 24 in. (61 cm).
5. The requirement for the use of optical aids
depends on the viewing angle relative to the
surface.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

6. Standards such as the ASME Boiler & Pressure

Vessel Code mostly require aids when this angle
falls under 30°.

Maximum permissible viewing angle and

distance as defined by standards.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

7. The main factors that influence the sensitivity of

DVT are:
 The vision of the inspector.
 The level of illumination on the surface to be
tested.
 The condition of the inspected surface (for
example, color, rust, scale, paint, and oils).
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

8. Per SNT-TC-1A, inspectors should be tested for:

 Near-vision acuity annually.
 Color contrast differentiation, including shades of
gray used in the method, upon initial certification
and every five years thereafter.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

9. The illumination on the surface to be tested must

be verified by measurement with a light meter.
10. The illumination level must be adequate to the
objects to be tested.
DIRECT VISUAL TESTING

11. For example, standards specify the following:

 Sand castings: 32 fc (350 lx).
 Inservice inspection: 50 fc (540 lx).
 Welds during manufacture: 100 fc (1080 lx).
 Note: Inspectors should check the procedure for
the required level in the specific visual testing
application.
TACTILE TESTING

1. Direct visual testing can be divided into two

inspection practices:
 General VT or overview testing.
 Local or detailed VT.
TACTILE TESTING

2. In addition to direct viewing, local or detailed VT

may require test surfaces within arm’s reach to be
tactilely tested.
 The test object is subjected to measurements and
other NDT for surface roughness determination.
 Acceptance criteria based on discontinuity size or
a series of surface replicas may be applied.
INDIRECT OR REMOTE VT

1. What options are available to the inspector when

an unimpeded direct view is no longer possible
because of a remote distance, improper viewing
angle, or physical barrier?
INDIRECT OR REMOTE VT

2. In situations where the inspector does not have

access to place the eye within 24 in. (61 cm) of the
test surface or the viewing angle is less than 30°,
mechanical and optical instruments can
supplement the eye.
INDIRECT OR REMOTE VT

3. If the path of the light is interrupted—for instance,

by a video camera—and the light that reaches the
eye of the observer does not come directly from
the surface, this technique is classified as indirect
visual testing or remote visual testing (RVT), as
shown in the following image.
INDIRECT OR REMOTE VT

Remote visual testing with interrupted light

ray to the eye.
INDIRECT OR REMOTE VT

4. Confined spaces with limited access require

transport of the image around corners and/or over
considerable distances by using rigid or fiber
borescopes.
5. In DVT, use of a mirror produces an image
comparable to a direct view with the naked eye,
even though the mirror image is reversed, may
show some distortion, or involves a change in
magnification.
INDIRECT OR REMOTE VT

6. With indirect VT, the lens chain in a rigid

borescope or a bundle of glass fibers may
influence the image much more by absorbing and
changing the wavelength of light.
7. Thus, the indirect image of a surface through a
borescope can look very different compared with
the direct view.
8. Consequently, an indirect view may require
verification of the test resolution.
RVT CAMERAS

1. Whenever DVT with the naked eye can be

performed, it should be the inspector’s first choice.

Visual testing of a casting.

RVT CAMERAS

2. RVT should be applied when the area to be

inspected is not readily accessible because of
environmental circumstances such as:
 Test object configuration and geometry.
 High radiation levels.
 Chemical contamination.
 High temperatures.
 Deep water.
RVT CAMERAS

3. An advantage of RVT is that the evaluation can be

done later, as a separate step, from a remote
location.

Video borescope with cold light source

and glass fiber guide.
RVT CAMERAS

4. The RVT camera may have to be moved by

remote-driven machines such as:
 Robots.
 Manipulators.
 Submarines.
 Vehicles.
 Crawlers.
RVT CAMERAS

5. In-situ images may be displayed on a screen.

6. The video can be saved and kept on file for
documentation.

Rigid borescope in use with screen.

TRANSLUCENT VISUAL TESTING

1. Most test objects are opaque, although some are

translucent.
2. Section 5, Article 9, of the ASME Boiler &
Pressure Vessel Code describes the VT technique
for such objects as translucent visual testing.
3. For example, special materials for the aerospace
industry are produced from many layers glued
together.
TRANSLUCENT VISUAL TESTING

4. Lack of bond between layers is indicated by a

different transmissivity of light.
5. When a strong, diffuse light source is placed on
one side of the object and the inspector looks from
the other side, these lacks of bond are readily
visible.
EXAMPLES OF VT APPLICATIONS

VT applications include inspections in:

 Tube mills.
 Foundries.
 Nuclear power plants.
VT IN A TUBE MILL

1. The endpoint for the production of thin steel tubing

is often a table where the completed tubes are
visually inspected.
VT IN A TUBE MILL

2. The outer surface is directly checked for

blemishes, nicks, gouges, scratches, and cracks
while each tube is rotated.
3. Wall thickness is typically measured at 0°, 90°,
180°, and 270°.
4. The diameter is measured crosswise on both
ends.
VT IN A TUBE MILL

5. The inner surface is checked by looking through

the tube against a strong source of diffuse light.
6. If the interior of the tube is not round, then a closer
look inside with a borescope is necessary since
the angle of vision is practically 0°.
VT IN A FOUNDRY

1. Another application is visual testing in a foundry

where sand castings are produced.
2. The blasted surfaces of the castings are visually
checked for discontinuities.
VT IN A FOUNDRY

3. The inspectors use a series of photos or replicas

for comparison in order to identify and grade the
discontinuities for acceptability.

Replicas used for grading of sand castings

using visual testing (SCRATA).
VT IN A FOUNDRY

4. This is a classic case of direct visual testing

without any visual aids.

Replicas used for grading of sand castings

using visual testing (SCRATA).
INSERVICE INSPECTION IN NUCLEAR
POWER PLANTS
1. High radiation areas have to be visually inspected
remotely at regular intervals.
2. For inspection of most of these areas, a subsea
vehicle (see following images) is equipped with:
 A high-resolution video camera.
 Light sources.
 A blower for dust removal.
 An ultrasonic wall thickness measurement device.
INSERVICE INSPECTION IN NUCLEAR
POWER PLANTS

Remote visual inspection of nuclear

facility: subsea camera.
INSERVICE INSPECTION IN NUCLEAR
POWER PLANTS

Remote visual inspection of nuclear

facility: inspection area.
INSERVICE INSPECTION IN NUCLEAR
POWER PLANTS
3. Remote visual testing should only be used when it
can be demonstrated that sensitivity comparable
to direct visual testing can be obtained.
4. Reference test pieces should simulate the surface
to be tested and the critical discontinuities as
closely as possible.