A FUSION BEAD TESTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF TESTING A FUSION BEAD

摘要

A fusion bead testing device (13) is provided for testing the strength of a fusion bead (11) removed from a pipe joint (6). The testing device (13) comprises a first pressing means (19) for exerting a force against the fusion bead (11). If the fusion bead (11) splits as a result of the applied force then the fusion bead (11) fails a quality control test and the fusion bead (11) and consequently the pipe joint (6) from which the bead (11) was removed are deemed too weak. The fusion bead-testing apparatus (13) comprises an automatic split detection device (27, 127) for detecting a split in the bead (11).