A partially welded forging lap would most likely appear as?

A partially welded forging lap typically shows as an intermittent line on the surface due to the nature of the weld not completely joining the two pieces of material. During the welding process, if the fusion between the layers is insufficient or inconsistent, it creates areas where the weld is present and areas where it is absent. This results in a pattern that resembles a dashed or intermittent line rather than a continuous one.

In the context of liquid penetrant testing, the penetrant will fill in the gaps created by the incomplete fusion, revealing this pattern upon inspection. This intermittent appearance serves as an important indication of manufacturing defects in the forging process, signaling that the quality of the weld is compromised. Recognizing this visual cue is crucial for evaluators to determine the integrity and safety of the forged component.