A test in which a specimen is bent to a specified bend radius. See STANDARD WELDING TERMS.

Various types of bend tests are used to evaluate the ductility and soundness of welded joints. Guided bend specimens may be longitudinal or transverse to the weld axis, and may be bent in tensile test machines or in wrap-around bend test jigs. Typical guided bend testing fixtures are illustrated in Figure B-6.

Face bend tests are made with the weld face in tension; root bend tests are made with the weld root in tension. When bend testing thick plates, transverse slices or side bend test specimens are usually cut from the welded joint and bent with the weld cross section in tension. The relative orientations of these specimens are illustrated in Figure B-7. The guided bend test is most commonly used in welding procedure and welder performance qualification. See FACE BEND, FREE BEND, GUIDED BEND, ROOT BEND and U-BEND.

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