The following developments redefined quality assurance during this era:
The period of 2020–2021 marked a transformative shift in welding inspection technology, moving from traditional manual protocols to digitized, AI-enhanced, and automated workflows. These years saw the formalization of new standards, such as the American Welding Society (AWS) WIT-T:2020 manual, which remains a foundational resource for inspectors globally. Key Advancements in Welding Inspection (2020–2021)
is the governing document for most steel structures and includes updated inspection criteria that went into effect during the 2020-2021 cycle. ISO 17637:2022 (Update to 2016) : For international projects,
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) in Welding Inspection: 2020 and 2021 Updates Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a critical aspect of welding inspection. In 2020 and 2021, new NDT techniques and technologies emerged, including: Enhanced ultrasonic testing (UT) and radiographic testing (RT) methods Increased adoption of phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) Development of new eddy current testing (ECT) techniques Improved inspection accuracy and efficiency Get the latest PDF resources on NDT in welding inspection (2020 and 2021) to learn more.
Traditional welding inspection methods, such as visual inspection, radiographic testing (RT), and ultrasonic testing (UT), have been widely used for decades. However, these methods have limitations, including: