Non Distructive Testing
NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (NDT)
Magnetic Particle Inspection
Magnetic particle Inspection (MPI) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) process for detecting surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some of their alloys. The process puts a magnetic field into the part. The piece can be magnetized by direct or indirect magnetization. Direct magnetization occurs when the electric current is passed through the test object and a magnetic field is formed in the material. Indirect magnetization occurs when no electric current is passed through the test object, but a magnetic field is applied from an outside source. 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, since air cannot support as much magnetic field per unit volume as metals. 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, if any.
Dye Penetrant Inspection
Dye penetrant inspection (DPI), also called liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) or penetrant testing (PT), is a widely applied and low-cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). The penetrant may be applied to all non-ferrous materials and ferrous materials, although for ferrous components magnetic-particle inspection is often used instead for its subsurface detection capability. LPI is used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a family of non-destructive testing techniques based on the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the object or material tested. In most common UT applications, very short ultrasonic pulse-waves with center frequencies ranging from 0.1-15 MHz, and occasionally up to 50 MHz, are transmitted into materials to detect internal flaws or to characterize materials. A common example is ultrasonic thickness measurement, which tests the thickness of the test object, for example, to monitor pipework corrosion. Ultrasonic testing is often performed on steel and other metals and alloys, though it can also be used on concrete, wood and composites, albeit with less resolution. It is used in many industries including steel and aluminium construction, metallurgy, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and other transportation sectors.
Industrial Radiography
Industrial radiography is a method of non-destructive testing where many types of manufactured components can be examined to verify the internal structure and integrity of the specimen. Industrial Radiography can be performed utilizing either X-rays or gamma rays. Both are forms of electromagnetic radiation. The difference between various forms of electromagnetic energy is related to the wavelength. X and gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and this property leads to the ability to penetrate, travel through, and exit various materials such as carbon steel and other metals.
Eddy Current Testing
This technique can detect surface and near surface irregularities in ferrous and non ferrous materials by inducing an eddy current field in the part under test.
This is a hig hly portable technique. The equipment is light, there is no need to remove any surface paint and it is ideal for on site applications, the inspection of aerospace parts and structures including wheels and brake assemblies.
Specialised techniques are available for the on site inspection of tube bundles, typically in heat exchangers and air conditioning units.
Positive Material Identification (PMI)
Positive material Identification (PMI) provides elemental analysis and material grade identification for most alloys, metal powders, sintered alloys, metallic coatings, and precious metals.
Our versatile, hand held, rapid analyzer employs multiple calibration and testing options with as built- in data library of over 2000 possible elemental compositions for on-the-spot, accurate material matching, identification, and analysis. Our equipment can analyze alloying elements in C, S , Alloys Steel, Stainless Steel, Tool Steel, Ni Alloys, Cobalt Alloys and Copper Alloys.
Hardness Testing
Hardness testing is typically performed by pressing a specifically dimensioned & loaded object ( indenter ) into the surface of the materials you are testing. The Hardness is determined by measuring the depth of indenter penetration or by measuring the size of the impression left by an indenter.
Ferrite Testing
Ferrite testing is a technique used to measure the delta ferrite content in austenitic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel. The delta ferrite content is measured to better understand an austenitic or duplex stainless steel’s susceptibility to corrosion, susceptibility to solidification cracking and other types of material failure. Ferrite testing commonly employs magnetic induction as a means to measure the ferrite content of a material, although there are other methods that are used.
Visual Testing
Visual Testing (VT) is based on the inspection for flaws that are visible to the naked eye and is the most commonly used NDT method across all industries. It allows for a feasible and fast control of quality at every step of the fabrication or maintenance process.