Non-destructive Testing Services
What is Non-destructive testing (NDT)?
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is as its name implies is testing without destroying. It enables the structural integrity of a part or product to be assessed without damage. Any piece of equipment or machinery can also undergo various types of NDT without affecting or compromising its performance, integrity, composition, or condition in any way, which means an even greater degree of reliability.
Non-destructive Testing Services cover a wide range of analysis techniques such as CT Scanning, that are used within science and technology led industries. NDT methods rely upon the use of electromagnetic radiation, sound and other signal conversions to examine a wide variety of articles (metallic and non-metallic, food products, artefacts and antiquities, infrastructure).
NDT can examine the of the article undergoing examination without damage or alteration. NDT can be used to find, size and locate surface and subsurface flaws and defects.
Why use NDT?
NDT can be used as a Quality Assurance management tool and can be applied to each stage of an item’s construction. The materials and manufacture of a component can be examined using NDT and either accepted, rejected or repaired where necessary. NDT techniques can then be used to monitor the integrity of the item or structure throughout its life.
Materials, products and equipment which fail to achieve their design requirements or projected life due to undetected defects may require expensive repair or early replacement. Such defects may also be the cause of unsafe conditions or catastrophic failure.
NDT is used typically for the following reasons:
- Accident prevention and to reduce costs
- To improve product reliability
- To determine acceptance to a given requirement
- To provide information on repair criteria.
What are the benefits of Non-destructive Testing Services (NDT)?
Because it does not permanently damage or alter the article being inspected, NDT is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research.
The uses of NDT in different sectors:
NDT is used across a variety of industry sectors including;
Aerospace – inspection of aerospace components for structural deterioration such as corrosion, fatigue, fabrication defects, operation and maintenance, and unforeseen loading.
Automotive – The automotive industry relies on NDT during manufacture to test for flaws in brakes, steering and critical engine components.
Construction – Corrosion, cracking and other damage can all affect bridge load carrying capacity. Elements of a bridge that affect performance of the bridge including the footings, substructure, deck, and superstructure must be periodically inspected or monitored with NDT.
Pipelines – NDT is used to inspect oil & gas industry pipelines to prevent leaks that could damage the environment.
Power plants – In-service inspection is carried out during planned preventative maintenance periods to assess the structural integrity of power plant components. Including inspection of boiler, feedwater and condenser tubes, turbine components and steam lines.
Pressure vessels – Pressure vessels are inspected using radiography and ultrasonic testing to protect against potential deterioration and cracking.
Railways – Thousands of miles of rails each year are inspected to find cracks that could lead to a derailment. NDT also tests locomotive and rolling stock axles for fatigue cracks.
Shipbuilding – NDT has become an integral part of the shipbuilding industry and is used to inspect the quality of finished products.