GOST 23479-79 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 23479-79 — "Контроль неразрушающий. Методы оптического вида. Общие требования" (English: Non‑destructive testing. Optical (visual) methods. General requirements). The standard establishes general requirements for optical/visual non‑destructive inspection methods including equipment, standard samples, preparation and conduct of inspection, recording of results and safety measures.

Abstract

GOST 23479-79 sets out foundational rules for visual (optical) non‑destructive testing (NDT). It defines the scope of optical inspection methods, technical requirements for inspection apparatus and reference specimens, procedures for preparing and performing inspections, criteria and formats for reporting results, and basic safety and environmental considerations for optical NDT activities. The standard was originally approved by the USSR State Committee for Standards and subsequently issued with amendments.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded on the territory of the Russian Federation; replaced by national standard GOST R 58399-2019 (Non‑destructive testing. Optical methods. General requirements).
• Publication date: Introduced 01 January 1980 (approved by USSR State Committee on Standards 7 Feb 1979).
• Publisher: Approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR; published by Издательство стандартов (Publishing House of Standards) in official editions.
• ICS / categories: 19.100 — Non‑destructive testing.
• Edition / version: Original designation GOST 23479-79 (1979); later reprints/editions include published reprints with Amendments No.1 (1984) and No.2 (1989) incorporated.
• Number of pages: Commonly published edition listed as 10 pages in official library/catalog records (some commercial vendors may list condensed previews with differing page counts).

Scope

The standard applies to optical (visual) methods of non‑destructive control of objects and components. It covers requirements for inspection equipment and auxiliaries, standard and control specimens, environmental and lighting conditions, inspector preparation, procedure for conducting inspections, documentation and reporting of inspection results, and safety rules when using optical sources and related apparatus. It is intended to be a general, cross‑industry reference for visual/optical NDT rather than a method‑specific or product‑specific specification.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terms for optical NDT and reference to related terminology standards.
• Minimum requirements for inspection equipment (magnifiers, lamps, optical aids) and calibration/verification procedures.
• Specifications for standard (reference) specimens and test samples used for performance checks and comparison inspections.
• Environmental & lighting requirements (illumination levels, contrast evaluation, combined/local lighting arrangements) and methods for determining image contrast.
• Procedures for preparation of inspection surfaces, sequence of inspection operations, and recordkeeping/format of inspection reports.
• Safety and equipment handling requirements (including references to laser/optical safety where applicable).
• Acceptance criteria guidance is given at a general level; specific acceptance levels for particular applications are left to sector or product standards.

Typical use and users

Used by NDT/inspection specialists, quality and production engineers, maintenance and reliability teams, certification bodies and laboratories performing visual/optical inspections across manufacturing, welding, aerospace, railway, pipeline and construction sectors. It served as a national baseline for visual NDT practice and as a normative reference for implementing more specific inspection procedures and training programs.

Related standards

Normative references and related documents referenced by or associated with GOST 23479-79 include (examples): GOST 12997-84 (equipment technical conditions), GOST 24521-80 (terms and definitions for optical NDT), and later the replacement national standard GOST R 58399-2019 (Non‑destructive testing. Optical methods. General requirements). Internationally related documents include ISO standards on visual/optical NDT such as ISO 17637 (visual testing of welds) and other ISO/IEC standards on NDT personnel qualification and test conditions.

Keywords

non‑destructive testing; NDT; optical methods; visual inspection; inspection equipment; reference specimens; illumination; contrast; inspection procedure; safety; GOST 23479-79.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 23479-79 is a Soviet / national standard titled "Non‑destructive testing. Optical (visual) methods. General requirements" that established general rules and requirements for performing visual/optical NDT.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers equipment and aids for optical inspection, reference (control) specimens, recommended environmental and lighting conditions, procedures for preparing and conducting visual inspections, report formats and basic safety requirements. It provides general (cross‑industry) guidance rather than application‑specific acceptance levels.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT and quality inspectors, production and maintenance engineers, test laboratories and certification bodies involved in visual/optical inspection activities in industries such as welding, aerospace, rail, pipelines, and general manufacturing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: For the Russian Federation the standard is no longer in force and has been superseded by GOST R 58399-2019 (Non‑destructive testing. Optical methods. General requirements). Historical editions and amendments (1984, 1989) exist and the original introduction date was 01 January 1980. Some libraries retain archival copies; commercial vendors may still distribute historical PDFs.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the family of GOST standards on non‑destructive testing. Companion/related GOSTs cover other NDT methods (radio‑wave, thermal, ultrasonic, magnetic, radiographic, etc.) and there are dedicated standards for terminology, equipment and personnel qualification.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Keywords include optical methods, visual inspection, non‑destructive testing (NDT), inspection equipment, reference specimens, illumination, contrast, inspection procedure and safety.