NDT SERVICES

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT, FMPI, “Magnaflux”) is commonly utilized method that is used to detect surface and subsurface discontinuities in carbon iron, cobalt, nickel and other ferrous alloys. The method can performed a the clients site or at our facility. This method quickly detects fine surface breaking discontinuities and shallow sub-surface discontinuities.

Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT, LPT, FPI, DPI, LPI) is a nondestructive method of revealing discontinuities that are open to the surfaces of solid and essentially nonporous materials. Indications of a wide spectrum of flaw sizes can be found regardless of the configuration of the workpiece and regardless of flaw orientations. Liquid penetrants seep into various types of minute surface openings by capillary action. Because of this, the process is well suited to the detection of all types of surface cracks, laps, porosity, shrinkage areas, laminations, and similar discontinuities. It is extensively used for the inspection of wrought and cast products of both ferrous and nonferrous metals, powder metallurgy parts, ceramics, plastics, and glass objects. 

Eddy current inspection (ET, ECI) is based on the principles of electromagnetic induction and is used to identify or differentiate among a wide variety of physical, structural, and metallurgical conditions in electrically conductive ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic metals and metal parts. 

Eddy current inspection can be used to:

• Measure or identify such conditions and properties as electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, grain size, heat treatment condition, hardness, and physical dimensions
• Detect seams, laps, cracks, voids, and inclusions
• Sort dissimilar metals and detect differences in their composition, microstructure, and other properties
• Measure the thickness of a nonconductive coating on a conductive metal, or the thickness of a nonmagnetic metal coating on a magnetic metal

Ultrasonic inspection (UT, UTT, Shear Wave, PAUT) is a nondestructive method in which beams of high-frequency sound waves are introduced into materials for the detection of surface and subsurface discontinuities in the material. The sound waves travel through the material with some attendant loss of energy (attenuation) and are reflected at interfaces. The reflected beam is displayed and then analyzed to define the presence and location of discontinuities.

Some of the following discontinuities can be identified; cracks, laminations, shrinkage cavities, bursts, flakes, pores, disbonds, and other discontinuities that produce reflective interfaces can be easily detected. Inclusions and other inhomogeneities can also be detected by causing partial reflection or scattering of the ultrasonic waves or by producing some other detectable effect on the ultrasonic waves

Radiographic Inspection (RT) involves material inspection methods that are based on the differential absorption of penetrating radiation--either electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength or particulate radiation--by the part or test piece (object) being inspected. Because of differences in density and variations in thickness of the part or differences in absorption characteristics caused by variations in composition, different portions of a test piece absorb different amounts of penetrating radiation. These variations in the absorption of the penetrating radiation can be monitored by detecting the unabsorbed radiation that passes through the test piece.

Thermal inspection (IRT, IR) involves the measurement or mapping of surface temperatures when heat flows from, to, or through a test object. Temperature differentials on a surface, or changes in surface temperature with time, are related to heat flow patterns and can be used to detect flaws or to determine the heat transfer characteristics of a test body. 

Visual inspection (VT) is a nondestructive testing technique that provides a means of detecting and examining a variety of surface flaws, such as corrosion, contamination, surface finish, and surface discontinuities on joints (for example, welds, seals, solder connections, and adhesive bonds). Visual inspection is also the most widely used method for detecting and examining surface cracks, which are particularly important because of their relationship to structural failure mechanisms. Even when other nondestructive techniques are used to detect surface cracks, visual inspection often provides a useful supplement.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) uses radar pulses to reveal subsurface conditions This method uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band (UHF/VHF frequencies) of the radio spectrum, and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. GPR can have applications in a variety of media, including rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures. In the right conditions, GPR can detect subsurface objects, changes in material properties, and voids and cracks.

Leak testing is the branch of nondestructive testing that concerns the escape or entry of liquids or gases from pressurized or into evacuated components or systems intended to hold these liquids. Leaking fluids (liquid or gas) can penetrate from inside a component or assembly to the outside, or vice versa, as a result of a pressure differential between the two regions or as a result of permeation through a somewhat extended barrier. 

Leak testing encompasses procedures for one or a combination of the following:

• Locating (detecting and pinpointing) leaks
• Determining the rate of leakage from one leak or from a system
• Monitoring for leakage