Incomplete penetration location

General description. Incomplete penetration describes the condition in which the weld fails to reach the bottom of the weld joint, resulting in a notch located at the root of the weld (Fig. 15.12). This critical defect can substantially reduce the intrinsic mechanical strength of the joint and can combine with environmental factors to produce corrosion fatigue (Chap. 10), stress-corrosion cracking (Chap. 9), or crevice corrosion (Chap. 2). 

Location. Incomplete penetration can occur at any welded joint. 

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