Mechanical & Destructive Testing

Mechanical and destructive testing provides definitive evidence of weld quality, material properties and joint integrity by physically testing prepared specimens to failure. QMS Asset Integrity operates NATA-accredited mechanical testing facilities at our Largs North laboratory, covering bend testing, fracture testing and macroscopic examination.

These tests are essential for welding procedure qualification (WPQ), welder qualification testing, and production quality verification across all fabrication and construction projects. Our scope covers an extensive range of international standards including AS/NZS 2205, ASME IX, ASTM, ISO, and AWS codes - making us a one-stop provider for both NDT and destructive testing across Australia.

The ability to perform both non-destructive and destructive testing under a single NATA accreditation streamlines your quality programme and reduces the need to manage multiple testing providers.

Guided Bend Testing: Prepared weld specimens (root, face, or side bends) are placed in a guided bend jig and bent through a specified angle (typically 180°). The convex surface is examined for cracks, lack of fusion, or other discontinuities exceeding acceptance criteria.

Fracture Testing: Fillet-break and nick-break tests involve notching the weld specimen and breaking it open to expose the weld cross-section. The fracture surface is visually examined for defects such as porosity, slag, lack of fusion and incomplete penetration.

Macroscopic Examination: A weld cross-section is cut, polished, and etched to reveal the weld macro-structure. Examination under low-power magnification assesses weld geometry, fusion zone, heat-affected zone, and the presence of defects.