Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

Ultrasonic testing is an NDT method that uses high-frequency sound waves to detect and measure discontinuities in components. UT operates on the principle of sending sound waves into a material and analyzing the returned echoes to gather information about the internal structure of the test part.

The beauty of this method is that it can be applied through a variety of techniques, making it useful in many industries and environments.

The primary objectives of UT in industrial applications include:

Measuring Thickness: UT is commonly used to measure the thickness of a part by comparing the ultrasonic echoes from the front surface to the back surface.
Detecting Internal Defects: By detecting the returned signal when a discontinuity interacts with the ultrasonic wave, UT helps identify and measure internal defects.
Stress Measurement: UT can be used for stress measurement, such as bolting stress measurement and residual stress measurement, which are unique applications of this method.

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)

Magnetic particle testing is an NDT method used to detect surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. MT involves magnetizing a ferromagnetic material and then applying fine ferromagnetic particles to the surface. Discontinuities in the material, such as cracks or voids, disrupt the magnetic field, creating a leakage field. The ferromagnetic particles are attracted to these leakage fields, forming visible indications of the discontinuities.

The primary objectives of MT in industrial applications include:

Detecting Surface and Near-Surface Defects: By applying magnetic particles to a magnetized part, MT helps identify and measure surface and near-surface discontinuities.
Ensuring Material Integrity: MT is used to ensure the integrity of critical components in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing.

Dye-Penetrant Testing (PT)

Liquid penetrant testing (PT) is an NDT method that uses specially formulated liquids to reveal surface discontinuities in solid and nonporous materials. The process involves applying a penetrant liquid to the surface of the test part, allowing it to seep into any surface-breaking defects, and then using a developer to draw the penetrant out, creating a visible indication of the discontinuity.

This method is highly effective for detecting surface cracks, seams, and other defects that may not be visible to the naked eye.

The primary objectives of PT in industrial applications include:

Detecting Surface Defects: PT is used to identify surface-breaking defects such as cracks, seams, and porosity.
Quality Control: Ensures that manufactured parts meet quality standards by detecting surface discontinuities.
Maintenance Inspections: Used in periodic inspections to detect surface defects that may have developed during service.

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) is an advanced method of ultrasonic testing that has applications in both medical imaging and industrial nondestructive testing (NDT). Unlike conventional single-element probes, phased array probes consist of multiple small ultrasonic transducers that can be pulsed independently. This allows the beam to be focused and swept electronically without moving the probe, making the testing process more efficient and versatile.

The phased array probe emits ultrasonic waves that can be controlled by varying the timing of the pulses from each transducer. By adjusting the progressive time delay, the beam can be steered electronically, similar to a searchlight. This enables the creation of a visual image showing a slice through the object being examined.

Phased array ultrasonic testing is widely used in various industrial sectors such as construction, pipelines, and power generation. It is particularly effective for detecting discontinuities like cracks or flaws in materials, as well as for wall thickness measurements and corrosion inspection.

Radiographic Testing (RT)

Radiographic Testing is a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, and power generation to ensure the integrity and quality of materials and components. It allows inspectors to examine the internal structure of objects, such as welds, castings, forgings, and composites, without altering or damaging them.

The basic principle of RT involves placing the test object between a radiation source (X-rays or gamma rays) and a detector or film. As radiation passes through the material, denser areas absorb more radiation while thinner or less dense areas allow more to pass through. The detector captures this variation, producing a radiograph that visually represents internal features and defects. This contrast enables the identification of cracks, voids, porosity, inclusions, and other structural irregularities

Advanced Microwave Imaging (AMWI)

Composite materials, like fiberglass, have become thicker and more complex as its uses have increased. Using electro-magnetic radiation in a highly focused multi-frequency beam, the AMWI scanning systems can penetrate thick sections of complex composite material, and still deliver pinpoint position, size and most importantly, depth information for flaws hidden in the structure. These flaws can ultimately cause failures of these structures that can cost thousands of dollars.

The AMWI family of scanning systems have been used to inspect a variety of materials and structures from HDPE piping, GFRP piping and tanks, boat hulls and wind turbine blades. Each of these material systems has its own unique problems and characteristics that make interchangeable inspection systems a must. AMWI delivers exactly this interchangeability and modularization through a variety of scanning systems that all use the same easy to use data collection software and powerful data analysis tools. This results in the ability to inspect multiple material forms using the same basic components to create volumetric inspection images that includes detail that has never been seen before.