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Specification No.: P3TF49

GE Issue No.: S3
Aviation Date:
Page 1 Of:
June 16, 2017
12
____CAGE Code: 07482_________
Supersedes: P3TF49-S2
General Electric Company
Cincinnati, OH 45215
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This technical data is considered ITAR and/or EAR controlled pursuant to 22
CFR Part 120/130 and 15 CFR Parts 730-774, respectively. Transfer of this
data by any means to a Non-US Person, whether in the United States or abroad,
without the proper U.S. Government authorization (e.g., License, exemption,
NLR) is strictly prohibited.

*BORESCOPE AND AIDED VISUAL INSPECTION OF WELDS WITH LIMITED

ROOT SIDE ACCESS

1. SCOPE

*1.1 Scope. This specification establishes the requirements for

borescope and aided visual inspection of the root side welds with limited
access which include tubing, pipe or weldments where line of sight is
precluded. The visual acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with the
applicable weld specification.

1.1.1 Classification. This specification contains the following

class(es). Unless otherwise specified, the requirements herein apply to all
classes.

CLASS A

PREPARED REVIEWED APPROVED

⌧ EVENDALE
APPROVED DISTRIBUTION X LYNN
MLL 10A
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*1.2 Definitions. For the purposes of this specification, the definitions in

AWS A3.0 and the following definitions shall apply:

Adequate Visual Access - The ability to visual inspect a surface within

45 degrees of perpendicular that is not obscured by geometry constraints
or other physical limitations, see Figure 8.

Figure 8 – Line of Sight

Aided Eye Inspection – A visual inspection method using equipment to

assist in the evaluation of welds on the inside diameter of tubes or
limited root side access weldments, (e.g., mirror, borescope, 10X
magnifier, etc.).

Borescope - An optical device consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with

an eyepiece on one end, an objective lens on the other end linked
together by a relay optical system in between. Borescope types include
fiberscopes, rigid scopes and videoscopes.

Certifying Agency - The technical organization which has

responsibility to provide approval of designated delegates,
personnel, processes, and equipment.

Certifying Agent – GE Aviation Personnel empowered by the Certifying

Agency to act on in the Certifying Agency’s behalf, providing approval or
certification of personnel, processes, and equipment.

Borescope Certifying Representative – A representative of any

organization producing welded tubes or weldments with limited root side
access who is authorized by the organization’s quality system to approve
borescope and aided eye visual inspection procedures qualification of
personnel and equipment. For GE Aviation facilities, the Certifying
Representative is the Certifying Agent.

Depth of Field - The distance between the nearest and farthest objects in
view that appears acceptably sharp in an image.

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Direction of View - Usually expressed as forward view or side view, this

indicates where the optic "sees". Forward view looks parallel to the
insertion direction and side view looks perpendicular to the insertion
direction.

Flexible Fiberscope - A type of borescope that uses a light guide bundle,

an image guide bundle, an objective lens, interchangeable or fixed
viewing tips and remote controls for articulation of the tip.
Field of View - The range of sight that a particular lens possesses.
Usually expressed in degrees, this value provides the width through which
an optic "sees".

Magnification - The process of enlarging something only in appearance,

not in physical size.

Mirror Inspection – An aided eye visual inspection method using a mirror,

with or without a light source, to view an area that does not have
adequate visual access.

Purchaser - The procuring activity of GE Aviation that issued the

procurement document invoking this specification. When this
specification is invoked by a U.S. Government purchasing activity (or
such activity’s designee) the Purchaser shall mean such activity or
designee as the case may be.

Rigid Borescope - A non-flexible type of borescope that allows visual

inspection of the root side of a weld near the end of the tube or
weldments limited root side access, with or without a light source.

Tube – A component that has specification P13TF1 or M50TF8 on the

drawing. Examples include: formed tubes, ducts, manifolds or tube-hose
assemblies.

Unusual Visual Appearance or Unusual Visual Condition (UVC) – A

discontinuity that is observed and cannot be fully measured or defined by
the working specification (such as, oxidation, underfill, suck-back,
excessive root reinforcement).

Video Borescope - A type of borescope which uses a Charged Couple Device

(CCD) image sensor at the tip to electronically transmit black and white
or color images to a video monitor with interchangeable or fixed viewing
tips and remote controls for articulation of the tip.

*1.3 EHS Regulated Material: The requirements of P2TF1, CL-A, shall be

complied with. The material(s) shown below were referenced in this
specification and P2TF1, CL-A, as of the date of this specification issue.
The list below does not include all materials which are referenced in sub-
tier documents.

There are no referenced materials.

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2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

*2.1 Issues of Documents. The following documents form a part of this

specification to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated,
the latest issue shall apply.

GE AVIATION SPECIFICATIONS

P2TF1 Regulated Materials, Environmental, Health and

Safety

GE AVIATION PHOTOGRAPHS

S-077125-01 Lack of Penetration Sized

S-077125-02 Weld Oxidation

S-077125-03 Suck Back

S-077125-04 Improper Start Stop

S-077125-05 Inclusion

S-077125-06 Unusual Visual Condition

S-077125-07 Wear Sleeve Weld Burn Through

S-077125-08 Acceptable Weld

S-077125-09 Lack of Fusion – Missed weld joint

S-077125-10 Cracks

*2.2 Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text

of this document and the references cited herein, the text of this document
takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable
laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

3. REQUIREMENTS

*3.1 Sources. Borescope inspection equipment shall be approved by the

Borescope Certifying Representative.

*3.2 Borescope Equipment. The borescope equipment shall be capable of

accessing the welds to be inspected and shall provide clear, interpretable
images of the weld to ascertain weld acceptability. The equipment should be
capable of capturing digital images for documenting inspection results.

*3.2.1 Viewing Area. The borescope equipment shall provide a viewing

area that permits an operator to clearly view the entire root side of a weld,
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including both toes, through a focusing eyepiece or on a video monitor. The

visual acuity of the image shall enable the operator to clearly differentiate
the characteristics of the weld sufficiently to determine conformance to the
applicable visual acceptance criteria.

*3.2.2 Optics. Videoscope units shall have a manual or automatic

focusing capability. Fiberscopes and rigid borescopes shall have a focusing
eye piece. Optical magnification shall be equal to or greater than 1X for
all lenses used.

3.3 Inspection Requirements

*3.3.1 Root Side Weld Indications. All root side welds and
discontinuities shall meet the visual inspection requirements of the drawing
and weld specification. Refer to GE Aviation Photostandards S-077125-1 thru
S-077125-10 for examples of an acceptable weld, weld discontinuities, and
weld defects as observed through a borescope.

Figure 1 Deleted Figure 2 Deleted

Figure 3 Deleted Figure 4 Deleted

Figure 5 Deleted Figure 6 Deleted

*3.3.1.1 Visual Inspection. Complete visual inspection as follows:

(a) If adequate visual access can be obtained for root side weld
inspection, visual inspection may be performed in lieu of
borescope inspection.

(b) If adequate visual access cannot be obtained for root side weld
inspection (viewing angles that exceed 45 degrees, Figure 8),
aided eye visual inspection using mirrors may be performed in lieu
of borescope inspection. Magnifying glasses shall not be used for
root side weld inspection when adequate visual access cannot be
obtained.

*3.3.2 Borescope Inspection Limits

*3.3.2.1 Videoscope and Flexible Borescopes. These borescopes may be

used provided the tube or weldment geometry allows access to the root side of
a weld joint. If the inside diameter of the tube or geometry constraints of
the weldment are too small or the bend radii is too tight or the insertion
cable cannot freely maneuver through the tube or weldment, then borescope
inspection shall not be used. Reference Figure 7 for examples of minimum
bend radii and borescope interference. Use Figure 7 as a guideline since
advances in the miniaturization of flexible borescopes and imaging equipment
are continually being made.

*3.3.2.2 Deleted
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*3.4 Operator Qualification for Borescope Inspection. Borescope

Operators shall meet all the requirements of 3.4.1. Personnel not using
borescopes shall meet only the requirements of 3.4.1(b)(1) and 3.4.1(c).

*3.4.1 Initial Qualification Requirements. All personnel performing

borescope or aided eye inspections shall be trained in visual inspection of
fusion welds in accordance with a training plan approved by a Borescope
Certifying Agent. The training plan shall include: on the job training or
acceptable prior experience, classroom training, classroom testing and
practical examination. The Borescope Certifying Representative shall develop
the training plan and administer the certification and re-certification
process. See 6.5 for guidance.

(a) Candidates seeking qualification shall train with a certified

operator using the borescope inspection methods to be used on
production hardware. A training inspection log shall be used to
document the root side inspection on each part and shall record as a
minimum; the part number, work order number, the candidate, the
certified operator and date. All root side welds shall be verified
by the certified operator for conformance. A minimum of 100 parts
shall be inspected in this manner.
(b) All candidates shall attend a visual inspection training session
conducted by the Borescope Certifying Representative. As a minimum
this training session shall include:

(1) A detailed review of the root side of the welds in GE Aviation

Photostandards S-077125-1 thru S-077125-10, or samples
representative thereof, including but not limited to;

(a) Lack of Penetration,

(b) Oxidation

(c) Negative Root Reinforcement, “Suck-back”

(d) Improper Start Stop

(e) Inclusion

(f) Excessive Root Reinforcement

(g) Burn Thru

(h) Acceptable Weld

(i) Lack of fusion (missed weld joint)

(j) Cracks

(2) Read and review the most current revision of Supplier Borescope
procedure

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(3) Practical testing on borescope inspection techniques, care and

use of equipment and detection and identification of
nonconforming welds. Parts containing known nonconformances
shall be used in a practical test to demonstrate the candidate’s
proficiency. As a minimum example defects for the borescope
practical examination shall include representative samples as
shown in GE Aviation Photostandards S-077125-01 through
S-077125-10. A passing score of 100 percent is required for
qualification.

(4) A general written examination with at least 25 questions on the

types of borescope inspection methods and equipment (e.g., rigid,
flexible, videoscope) to be used on production hardware and the
basic principles, care and use of equipment. A minimum passing
score of 80 percent is required for qualification.

(5) Failure to pass either the general written examination or the

practical test after two attempts shall require additional
training as defined in the training plan.

(c) Borescope and aided eye personnel shall pass an annual eye
examination administered by trained personnel or by qualified medical
personnel. The acceptance standard for the visual examination shall
be natural or corrected near distance acuity in accordance with
Jaeger J1 at 12 inch or Jaeger J2 at 16 inch or the Snellen English
at 12 inch natural or corrected vision. Far vision shall be 20/30 or
better with natural or corrected in either eye. Borescope and aided
eye personnel requiring color perception shall also pass the color
perception examination as deemed necessary by the Borescope
Certifying Representative.
*3.4.2 Re-Certification.
(a) Re-certification is required every three years.

(b) Certified Borescope Operators shall complete the re-qualification

requirements of 3.4.1(b) and (c).

(c) Personnel performing aided eye visual weld inspections not using
borescopes shall complete the requirements of 3.4.1(b)(1) and
3.4.1(c).

*3.4.3 Suspension, Expiration and Reinstatement of Certification

*3.4.3.1 Suspension. Certification shall be suspended if the
individual’s performance or compliance to the requirements herein are
determined to be deficient by the Borescope Certifying
Representative. Certifications that have been suspended may be
reinstated by completing the requirements of 3.4.2 and any additional
requirements specified by the Borescope Certifying Representative.

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*3.4.3.2 Expiration. Certification shall expire when employment is

terminated or when the three year certification period has lapsed.
Certifications that expire or have been revoked may not be reinstated except
by requalification as specified in 3.4.2.
*3.4.4 Documentation and Records.
(a) Qualification and Certification records shall be maintained by the
Borescope Certifying Representative or the Quality Leader.

(b) Operator certification lists shall be maintained by the Borescope

Certifying Representative or the Quality Leader

(c) Records involving the Borescope inspection operation and

certification process shall be retained for possible review by the
Purchaser

*3.4.5 Certification.

(a) Borescope operators who have met all of the qualification

requirements listed above shall be considered certified to perform
Borescope inspection.

(b) Certified Borescope operators are certified to inspect their own

work.

(c) Personnel not using borescopes who have met the requirements of 3.4
are certified to perform aided eye weld inspection on the root side
of welds.

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

*4.1 Deleted

*4.2 Deleted

*4.3 Deleted

*4.4 Deleted

*4.5 Borescope Inspection Procedures. Borescope inspection procedures

shall be established by the Borescope Certifying Representative before the
inspection of production hardware. Borescope Inspection procedures shall
address the following:

(a) Type of Borescopes to be used (rigid, flexible or video) and

manufacture(s) type. Focal length limits based on the tube
diameter range for each type of tip used as follows:

(1) Near Focus – Forward View Tip,

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(2) Far Focus – Forward View Tip,

(3) Near Focus – Side View Tip,

(4) Far Focus – Side View Tip.

(b) Side View Near Focus Tips shall be used to inspect small diameter
tubes. The inspection range (Tube ID) for Side View Near Focus
tips shall be established in the borescope inspection procedure.
If the Depth-of-Field is out-of-focus for side view near focus
tips, then side view far focus tips shall be used. For small
diameter tubes or weldments with limited root side access, Forward
View Near Focus tips shall not be used since the complete root
side of the weld cannot be fully inspected.

(c) Procedures shall have provisions to evaluate image clarity or

clearness of the Borescope Inspection equipment whenever image
quality is not acceptable. Borescope tips or equipment that is
determined to be defective or questionable shall not be used.

5. PACKAGING

This section is not applicable.

6. NOTES

*6.1 Purpose. This section contains information of a general nature,

which may be helpful, but is not mandatory. It does not contain any
requirements.

*6.2 Intended Use. The borescope equipment and operational requirements

covered by this specification are intended for use for the visual inspection
of the root side of welds in tubing, pipe and weldments with limited root
side access for the purpose of detecting weld discontinuities and weld
defects.

*6.3 Deleted

*6.4 Recommended Bend Radii Inspection. Table I and Figure 7 should be

used as a reference for determining the minimum centerline bend radii
recommended for borescopes containing a 1 inch (25 mm) inflexible tip.

*6.5 Visual weld inspection training

Visual Weld Inspection.
material can be found on the SCORE website under Mfg. eTools for
process code CF. Practical examination involves the visual inspection
of samples and the ability of the inspector to properly identify the
defects in each sample.

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Table I - Minimum Centerline Bend Radii For Borescopes Containing a 1 inch (25.4 mm) Inflexible
Segment
Tube Tube Centerline Bend
Diameter Thickness Dt Dt - Dp RInside Bend Ratio
Inch (mm) Inch (mm) Inch (mm) Inch (mm) Inch (mm) Inch (mm)

0.375 (9.53) 0.028 (0.71) 0.319 (8.10) 0.083 (2.11) 6.081 (154.5) 5.922 (150.4) 15.8:1
0.375 (9.53) 0.035 (0.89) 0.305 (7.75) 0.069 (1.75) 7.304 (185.5) 7.151 (181.6) 19.1:1
0.375 (9.53) 0.049 (1.24) 0.277 (7.04) 0.041 (1.04) 12.281 (311.9) 12.143 (308.4) 32.4:1

0.500 (12.7) 0.028 (0.71) 0.444 (11.3) 0.208 (5.28) 2.510 (63.75) 2.288 (58.11) 4.6:1
0.500 (12.7) 0.035 (0.89) 0.430 (10.9) 0.194 (4.93) 2.677 (68.00) 2.462 (62.53) 4.9:1
0.500 (12.7) 0.049 (1.24) 0.402 (10.2) 0.166 (4.22) 3.099 (78.71) 2.898 (73.61)

0.625 (15.87) 0.028 (0.71) 0.569 (14.45) 0.333 (8.46) 1.669 (42.39) 1.384 (35.15) 2.2:1
0.625 (15.87) 0.035 (0.89) 0.555 (14.09) 0.319 (8.10) 1.728 (43.89) 1.450 (36.83) 2.3:1
0.625 (15.87) 0.049 (1.24) 0.527 (13.38) 0.291 (7.39) 1.865 (47.37) 1.601 (40.66)

0.750 (19.05) 0.028 (0.71) 0.694 (17.62) 0.458 (11.63) 1.321 (33.55) 0.974 (24.74) 1.3:1
0.750 (19.05) 0.035 (0.89) 0.680 (17.27) 0.444 (11.28) 1.349 (34.26) 1.009 (25.63) 1.3:1
0.750 (19.05) 0.049 (1.24) 0.652 (16.56) 0.416 (10.57) 1.410 (35.81) 1.084 (27.53) 1.4:1

0.875 (22.22) 0.028 (0.71) 0.819 (20.80) 0.583 (14.81) 1.149 (29.18) 0.740 (18.80) 0.8:1
0.875 (22.22) 0.035 (0.89) 0.805 (20.45) 0.569 (14.45) 1.163 (29.54) 0.761 (19.33) 0.9:1
0.875 (22.22) 0.049 (1.24) 0.777 (19.74) 0.541 (13.74) 1.195 (30.35) 0.806 (20.47) 0.9:1

1.000 (25.40) 0.028 (0.71) 0.944 (23.98) 0.708 (17.98) 1.060 (26.92) 0.588 (14.94) 0.6:1
1.000 (25.40) 0.035 (0.89) 0.930 (23.62) 0.694 (17.63) 1.068 (27.13) 0.603 (15.32) 0.6:1
1.000 (25.40) 0.049 (1.24) 0.902 (22.91) 0.666 (16.92) 1.084 (27.53) 0.633 (16.08) 0.6:1

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REVISION HISTORY

P3TF49-S1 Initial Issue 03-10-2000

-S2 DCID 079119 03-08-2001
-S3 CID 558717 06-16-2017

* DENOTES LATEST CHANGE

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