It is sometimes surprising to hear people
use the term "defect" when referring to simple, non-critical
imperfections in a brazed joint. For example: "Oh, this part only had a couple
of small defects, so we shipped it to the customer."
By definition, a defect is defined,
according to the "Glossary of Metallurgical Terms and Definitions"
fromASM's Metals Reference Book (3rd Edition), as follows:
1. A discontinuity whose size, shape,
orientation or location makes it detrimental to the useful service of the part
in which it occurs.
2. A discontinuity or discontinuities
which by nature or accumulated effect (for example, total crack length) render
a part or product unable to meet minimum applicable acceptance standards or
specifications. This term, therefore, designates rejectability.
In my brazing seminars, I often print in
large letters on the board in front of the class:
"DEFECT =
REJECT"
Please be sure to use the correct
terminology when referring to imperfections such as voids, depressions,
discontinuity, erosion, pinholes, anomalies, etc. ONLY use the word
"defect" when that imperfection will result in
the failure of the part or component to perform in an acceptable manner for
which it was designed.
Meaning of Defect in a Brazed Joint
By Dan Kay

Dan Kay operates his own brazing consulting practice in Connecticut (since 1996) and has been involved in brazing for almost 45 years. He received his BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1966 and his MBA from Michigan State University in 1982.
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