What is the difference between visual inspection and documentary inspection in welding quality control?

What is the difference between visual inspection and documentary inspection in welding quality control?

• A. Visual inspection checks the weld surface and geometry; documentary checks records, WPS/PQR, and compliance.
• B. Documentary inspection focuses on the weld surface and geometry.
• C. Documentary inspection only looks at records.
• D. Visual inspection only analyzes the welding equipment.

Answer: (B)

Visual inspection looks at what you can see on the weld itself—the surface quality and the weld geometry, including bead shape, alignment, undercut, crater fill, and any surface defects. It’s about whether the weld appears to meet the acceptance criteria just by observation. Documentary inspection, on the other hand, checks the paperwork and records that show how the weld was made. This includes verifying the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), the Procedure Qualification Record (PQR), material certifications, welding logs, and evidence that the procedure was followed and the job complies with the applicable codes and standards. So the difference is that the former assesses the actual weld appearance and dimensions, while the latter assesses the documentation and procedural compliance behind how the weld was produced. Both are essential parts of quality control, but they focus on different aspects of the welding process.

Visual inspection looks at what you can see on the weld itself—the surface quality and the weld geometry, including bead shape, alignment, undercut, crater fill, and any surface defects. It’s about whether the weld appears to meet the acceptance criteria just by observation.

Documentary inspection, on the other hand, checks the paperwork and records that show how the weld was made. This includes verifying the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), the Procedure Qualification Record (PQR), material certifications, welding logs, and evidence that the procedure was followed and the job complies with the applicable codes and standards.

So the difference is that the former assesses the actual weld appearance and dimensions, while the latter assesses the documentation and procedural compliance behind how the weld was produced. Both are essential parts of quality control, but they focus on different aspects of the welding process.