Trace Elements for Detecting Cracking in Weldments

The objective was to assess the possible use of tracer materials in welding consumables for detection of cracking in offshore structures. This trace material would be used only in certain interior beads of multi-pass weldments, thus would only be released into the surroundings if a crack or corrosion damage had progressed a sufficient distance into the material. Periodic scanning of the area adjacent to the defect would detect the presence of the trace material and signal the presence of a crack or corrosion of sufficient magnitude to be a problem.