Research Laboratory of Welding, Related Technologies, and Non-Destructive Testing (RLWT & NDT)

Year of establishment: 2006
Head of the unit: Victor Alexandrovich Sidorov, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Scientific Consultant: Fedor Ivanovich Panteleenko, D.Sc., Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
Contacts: Tel .: +375 (17) 2939371, 2939191, Fax +375 (17) 2939371,    e-mail: niil_svarka@bntu.by

The Research Laboratory of Welding, Related Technologies, and Non-Destructive Testing (RLWT & NDT) was established at the Department of Powder Metallurgy, Welding, and Materials Technology in accordance with the decision dated 02.11.2006 No. 13-4P is a branch of  BNTU "Scientific and Research Polytechnic Institute".

He main goal of RLWT & NDT is to ensure the implementation of research, design, and technological works, scientific support for innovative projects, experimental-industrial testing, and implementation into production of the results of scientific and technical activities in the field of welding and related technologies, technologies for obtaining new materials, products, and coatings from them, as well as destructive and non-destructive testing.

RLWT & NDT includes an accredited Testing and Calibration Center (TCC) by the State Enterprise "Belarusian State Center for Accreditation" for compliance with STB ISO/IEC 17025-2007 (accreditation certificate BY/112 1.0517 dated 31.03.2008), which carries out non-destructive testing, diagnostics, mechanical testing, metallographic examination of welded joints and base metal.

Main activity areas:

1. Research and analysis of the technological readiness of welding production at enterprises for work on potentially hazardous facilities in various industries, with adaptation of welding technologies to the requirements of international standards, regulations of the State Supervisory Authority, and technical regulations of the Republic of Belarus.
2. Expert evaluation (certification) of welding technologies in accordance with STB ISO, including the development of procedural reports (WPQR).
3. Expert evaluation (certification) of welding personnel, establishing criteria for the admission of welding personnel to production activities on potentially hazardous facilities.
4. Development of combined technologies for obtaining multifunctional welded joints, materials, and coatings using high-energy impacts (laser, plasma, electron-beam, etc.).
5. Development of scientific-practical foundations for the formation of plasma powder coatings from ceramics using additives of refractory metals.
6. Development of composite gas-thermal coatings from materials based on austenitic steels and ceramics.
7. Development, research, and creation of physico-chemical processes and mechanisms of technological structuring and transformation of ceramic powder and polymer-fibrous compositions into structural, ceramic-polymer armor systems with a controlled spectrum of functionally protective ballistic properties.
8. Development and advancement of scientific foundations for creating new composite materials based on fine-dispersed metallic waste for applying wear-resistant coatings and creating powder tooling for magneto-abrasive machining.
9. Development of a scientific-practical concept for creating and developing a materials science-technological base for transforming industrial raw materials (Al2O3, MgO, SiO2, ZrO2, etc.) into effective ceramic materials-products with special properties (wear resistance, heat resistance, insulation, corrosion resistance, etc.).
10. Development of functional and structural dispersion-strengthened ceramic materials based on oxide and oxycarbide-nitride compounds.
11. Investigation of the composition, structure, and properties of developed materials, welded joints, and coatings using non-destructive and destructive methods.

Due to the recognition of the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU) as the leading specialized research organization in the field of activities related to the operation of production facilities and objects under the supervision of the State Supervisory Authority (decision of the Collegium of the State Atomic Supervision Committee No. 52.4 dated October 20, 2006 - welding, quality control, heat treatment in the field of steam and hot water boilers, pressure vessels, pipelines for steam and hot water, lifting cranes, professional training, retraining, and qualification enhancement, certification, training in safe work practices for welding personnel), the Scientific Research Institute of Welding and Non-Destructive Testing (SRIW&NDT) performs the functions of the leading organization on the mentioned issues.

The laboratory conducts the following types of work:

1. Certification of welding technology in accordance with STB ISO 15614-1 (Download application and list of documents from the State Supervisory Authority).
Work Supervisor: Tatiana Ivanovna Bendik (+375 (17) 293-93-71, 293-91-91).

2. Scientific-practical seminar sessions based on the training program for certification of welding production specialists; conducting qualification exams and certification of welding production specialists at the II, III, IV levels of competence in accordance with the requirements of STB 1063 in the system of the State Supervisory Authority of the Republic of Belarus (Download application).
 Work Supervisor (Chairman of the Certification Committee): Fedor Ivanovich Panteleenko. Deputy Head: Victor Alexandrovich Sidorov. Performer: Inessa Ivanovna Proper +375 (17) 293-93-71, 293-91-91.

For personnel conducting welding operations on objects under the supervision of the State Committee for Industrial Safety of the Republic of Belarus (Gospromnadzor RB), attestation is mandatory, during which the specialist is assigned competency levels II, III, IV:

- Level II competency grants the specialist the right to lead welding work at a site (foreman/supervisor), as well as participate in commissions for the attestation of welders. Level II is sufficient for obtaining a license from Gospromnadzor RB for the manufacture and repair of products falling within the scope of supervision.

- Level III competency gives the specialist the right to develop welding process technologies, conduct their qualification, and participate in commissions for the attestation of welders.

- Level IV competency allows the specialist to oversee welding operations on an enterprise scale. To obtain levels III and IV competency, qualified technological welding processes according to STB ISO 15614 are required at the enterprise.

To achieve a specific competency level, the specialist must meet the requirements for practical work experience in the field of welding production and basic education according to STB 1063 "Qualification and Certification of Personnel in the Field of Welding Production. Requirements and Procedure". These requirements are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1 - Duration of work experience for applicants for the second to fourth levels

3. Re-Certification of Welding Specialists (Extension)

To extend the validity of the certification, an application form (Download application) and a letter (Download) with information about the professional activities of the certified specialist during the certification period must be submitted no later than two months before the expiration date of the certificate. An appropriate contract will be concluded with the applicant.

4. Certification of Welders in the Gospromnadzor System of the Republic of Belarus (Download application)

Decision of Gospromnadzor dated 11.12.2017 No. 11-1-172-2017

Work Supervisor: Vladimir Grigoryevich Nesterov Tlelephone No.: +375 (17) 293-93-71, +375(17) 293-91-91

The certification of welders is conducted in accordance with STB EN 287-1-2009 and the "Rules for Certification of Welders of the Republic of Belarus" from 1994. The welder is issued a standard certificate, granting the right to perform welding work on hazardous industrial facilities, potentially hazardous objects, and technical devices operated on them, overseen by Gosgorpromnadzor, as well as on objects not supervised by Gosgorpromnadzor.

Note: Accommodation is not provided during the certification process.

Scientific Potential
Our scientific research and development team includes:
- 1 Doctor of Sciences (Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus)
- 5 Candidates of Sciences
- 4 Engineers
- Involvement of lecturers, postgraduates, master's students, and undergraduate students from the Mechanical and Technological Faculty.

Key Achievements
The Research Laboratory of Welding, Related Technologies, and Non-Destructive Testing (RLWRTNDT) maintains scientific partnerships with:
- The Physical-Technical Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
- Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno
- Brest State Technical University

The laboratory serves as the leading scientific research unit for welding, quality control, and personnel qualification on Gosgorpromnadzor-regulated facilities.

Collaboration Opportunities
A promising direction for collaboration with industrial enterprises is the "turnkey" approach, which includes:
- Analysis of the enterprise's problems
- Assessment of the enterprise's technical capabilities in welding and related technologies
- Research and development of technical and technological solutions
- Recommendations for the selection and supply of necessary equipment and materials
- Adaptation and, if necessary, modernization of equipment to the developed technology and production conditions
- Training of workers and engineering and technical personnel in the technology of work execution
- Certification of personnel and welding technology according to STB ISO 15614-1.