CONVENTIONAL NDT SERVICES
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Conventional NDT Services
Empowering industries through unparalleled precision and innovation, our advanced NDT services strive to redefine excellence in non-destructive testing, setting new standards for reliability, efficiency, and technological advancement
Radiography Testing
Radiographic Testing or Radiographic Examination is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method for examining the internal structure of any component to identify its integrity. Radiographic testing of welds to ensure weld quality is a widely used industry practice. Radiographic testing in welding is a highly dependable way to detect weld defects like cracks, porosity, inclusions, voids, lack of fusion, etc. in weld interiors. Radiographic testing is widely used in the oil & gas, aerospace, transport, military, automotive, manufacturing, offshore, petrochemical, marine, and power generation industries. The procedure for radiographic testing involves placing the part to be tested between the radiation source and a piece of sensitive film or detector. Once the x-ray or gamma-ray radiation is started, the test part will hinder some of the radiation by its material density and thickness. Thicker and denser material will allow less radiation to pass through the specimen. The film (or an electronic device) records the amount of radiation (known as a radiograph) that reaches the film through the test specimen. By studying the radiograph data, defects can easily be recognized.
Benefits:
- Both surface and internal discontinuities can be detected.
- Significant variations in composition can be detected.
- It has a very few material limitations.
- Can be used for inspecting hidden areas (direct access to surface is not required).
- Very minimal or no part preparation is required.
- Permanent test record is obtained
- Good portability especially for gamma-ray sources.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a non-destructive testing method that uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves to detect internal flaws in materials. It is commonly used to detect discontinuities in welds. The process involves scanning the surface of the material around the weldment with a transducer. The echoes returned from the weld zone may allow the operator to determine the location and type of discontinuity. Ultrasonic testing allows technicians to visualize any defects or flaws within welds and compare them against historical data standards. There are different types of ultrasonic waves used in non-destructive techniques like ultrasonic testing, including longitudinal waves, shear waves, surface waves, and Lamb waves. The equipment required for ultrasonic testing includes a transducer, which converts electrical energy into sound waves that travel through the piece being inspected and vice versa.
Benefits:
- It is sensitive to both surface and subsurface discontinuities.
- The depth of penetration for flaw detection or measurement is superior to other NDT methods
- Only single-sided access is needed when the pulse-echo technique is used.
- It is highly accurate in determining the reflector position and estimating its size and shape.
- Minimal part preparation is required.
- It provides instantaneous results.
- Detailed images can be produced with automated systems.
- It is nonhazardous to operators or nearby personnel and does not affect the material being tested.
- It has other uses, such as thickness measurement, in addition to flaw detection.
- Its equipment can be highly portable or highly automated.
Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement
Ultrasonic thickness gauging is a non-destructive testing method that is used to measure the thickness of a material from one side. It is a fast, reliable, and versatile technique that requires access to only one side of the test piece. The process involves using an ultrasonic thickness gauge, which is a measuring instrument that determines a component’s thickness by measuring the time it takes for sound to travel from the transducer through the material to the component’s back end, and then measuring the time it takes for sound to return to the transducer. The ultrasonic waves have been observed to travel through metals at a constant speed characteristic to a given alloy with minor variations due to other factors like temperature
Magnetic Particle Testing
Magnetic particle testing (MPT), is used to detect surface and shallow subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. The process involves putting a magnetic field into the part, which can be magnetized by direct or indirect magnetization. The magnetic lines of force are perpendicular to the direction of the electric current, which may be either alternating current (AC) or some form of direct current (DC) (rectified AC) .
The presence of a surface or subsurface discontinuity in the material allows the magnetic flux to leak. To identify a leak, ferrous particles, either dry or in a wet suspension, are applied to a part. These are attracted to an area of flux leakage and form what is known as an indication, which is evaluated to determine its nature, cause, and course of action.
Benefits:
- High sensitivity (small discontinuities can be detected).
- Indications are produced directly on the surface of the part and constitute a visual representation of the flaw.
- Minimal surface preparation (no need for paint removal)
- It is highly accurate in determining the reflector position and estimating its size and shape.
- Minimal part preparation is required.
- Portable (materials are available in aerosol spray cans).
- Low cost (materials and associated equipment are relatively inexpensive)
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Liquid Penetrant Testing (LPT) is used to detect surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials. The process involves applying a liquid dye penetrant to the surface of the test object. The penetrant is drawn into any surface-breaking defects by capillary action. After a sufficient penetration time has been allowed, the excess penetrant is removed from the surface. A developer is then applied to the surface, which draws the penetrant out of the defect and spreads it over the developer. This forms a visible indication of the defect, which can be evaluated to determine its nature, cause, and course of action.
Liquid penetrant testing is a widely applied NDT method and is used to check surface-breaking defects such as cracks, laps, and porosity. It can locate cracks as narrow as 150 nanometers and is often used to locate deficiencies in welds, pipes, and bars, among other materials. The testing is usually performed using a red dye penetrant, which can be seen in daylight, whereas fluorescent dyes are easier to evaluate in darkness or with an ultraviolet light
Benefits:
- High sensitivity (small discontinuities can be detected).
- Significant variationaFew material limitations (metallic and nonmetallic, magnetic and nonmagnetic, and conductive and nonconductive materials may be inspected).s in composition can be detected.
- Rapid inspection of large areas and volumes.
- Suitable for parts with complex shapes.
- Indications are produced directly on the surface of the part and constitute a visual representation of the flaw.
- Portable (materials are available in aerosol spray cans)
- Low cost (materials and associated equipment are relatively inexpensive)
Portable Hardness
Portable hardness testing is a non-destructive testing method used to obtain the hardness value of a material. It is commonly used to test large areas quickly and is ideal for materials that cannot be brought to a traditional tabletop hardness tester or specimens with hard-to-access areas.
There are several types of portable hardness testers available, including the Leeb method (also known as Equotip or rebound method), portable Rockwell method, and ultrasonic contact impedance (UCI) method. The Leeb method is the most commonly used method and is based on the rebound principle. The portable Rockwell method is used to measure the hardness of small parts, thin parts, and surface coatings. The UCI method is used to measure the hardness of small parts, thin parts, and surface coatings. The portable hardness tester is typically a handheld device that can be used in the field or in the laboratory. It is easy to use and provides quick and accurate result. The hardness value obtained from the portable hardness tester can be used to determine the strength, ductility, and wear resistance of the material.
