What are aligned discontinuities?

Aligned discontinuities refer to discontinuities that are situated in a manner where they are approximately parallel to the weld axis. This alignment can significantly affect the performance and integrity of the weld.

When discontinuities are oriented parallel to the weld axis, they may have a more pronounced impact on the tensile and fatigue strength of the welded joint compared to randomly oriented discontinuities. For example, these can include linear types of defects such as cracks or lack of fusion that run alongside the weld seam, potentially leading to critical failure under stress.

In the context of welding, understanding the orientation and alignment of discontinuities is vital for the evaluation of weld quality and ensuring that welds meet the necessary codes and standards. Recognizing that aligned discontinuities are systematically oriented helps inspectors to evaluate potential weaknesses in the joint and prioritize areas for corrective actions or further inspection.