What is an acceptance criterion?

• A. An allowable coating thickness range
• B. The maximum heat input allowed by code
• C. The minimum tensile strength of the base metal
• D. The standard or code criterion used to determine if a weld is acceptable

Answer: (D)

Acceptance criterion is the standard or code used to determine whether a weld meets the required quality and can be accepted. It defines the limits, tolerances, and conditions under which a weld is considered conforming, such as allowable flaws, defect sizes, radiographic indications, measurements, and required tests. In practice, inspectors compare the actual weld against these criteria from governing codes, standards, or project specifications to decide pass or fail. The other items describe specific technical requirements (like coating thickness, heat input, or base-metal strength) that may be part of a broader acceptance framework, but they don’t themselves define the overall rule for accepting a weld.