May 09, 2025  
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2025-2026 College Catalog

NDT 101 - Visual Testing (VT) Level I and II

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Prepares students to conduct visual examinations, identify defects, interpret and evaluate results with respect to applicable codes, standards and specifications, and familiarize students with the scope and limitations of the methods.

Prerequisite(s): NDT 100  or concurrent enrollment. 
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of visual testing.
  2. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the application of visual testing in industry.
  3. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of how to use equipment needed for testing visually.
  4. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of basic understanding of weld inspection using visual testing.
Outline:
  1. Introduction
    1. Definition of Visual Testing (VT)
    2. History of VT
    3. Overview of VT applications
  2. Definitions
    1. Standard terms and their meaning
  3. Fundamentals
    1. Vision
    2. Lighting
    3. Material attributes
    4. Environmental factors
    5. Visual perception
    6. Direct and indirect methods
  4. Equipment
    1. Mirrors
    2. Magnifiers
    3. Borescopes
    4. Fiber borescope
    5. Video borescope
    6. Remote visual inspection systems
    7. Light sources
    8. Gauges
    9. Automated systems
    10. Computer enhanced systems
  5. Applications
    1. Mineral-based material
    2. Metallic materials
    3. Organic based materials
  6. VT to Specific Procedures
    1. Selection of parameters
    2. Test standards
    3. Classification of indications per acceptance criteria
    4. Reports
  7. Purpose
    1. Scope
    2. Internal quality control
    3. Quality by the customer
    4. Quality by the authorities
    5. Discontinuities
    6. Shape and geometry
    7. Surface finish
    8. Time of application
    9. During manufacture
    10. In service
  8. Elements of Vision
    1. Mechanics of vision
    2. Adaptation
    3. Vision limitation
    4. Ophthalmic disorders
    5. Fatigue
    6. Physiology
    7. Vision acuity examination and charts
  9. Elements of Lighting
    1. Fundamentals of light
    2. Light source
    3. Incandescent radiators
    4. Luminescent radiators
    5. Light levels
    6. Glare
    7. Lighting requirements
  10. Contrast and Resolution
    1. Reflection at smooth and rough surfaces
    2. Law of illumination
    3. Reflectivity and luminance
    4. Luminous contrast
    5. Influence of cleanliness
    6. Dark-field contrast
    7. Colors and contribution to contrast
    8. Surface geometry
  11. Optics
    1. Transmission of light through solid and liquid media
    2. Refraction of light
    3. Refractive index of glasses
    4. How prisms change the direction of light
    5. How lenses focus
    6. Lens optics
    7. Fiber optics
    8. Digitization
  12. Equipment
    1. Magnifiers and mirrors
    2. Rigid borescopes
    3. Fiber borescopes
    4. Video borescopes
    5. Specialized inspection systems
  13. Visual Appearance of Discontinuities
    1. Primary manufacturing discontinuities
    2. Secondary manufacturing discontinuities
    3. Service induced discontinuities
    4. Inherent discontinuities
  14. Evaluation and Reporting
    1. General evaluation scheme (ASTM E1316)
    2. Evaluation criteria
    3. Evaluation techniques
    4. Reporting
    5. Completion of testing checklist
  15. Codes, Standards and Specification
    1. VT as an engineering task
    2. VT as a technician task
    3. US standards (ASME/AWS)
    4. EU standards (PED)
    5. ISO standards