Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, Recommended Guidelines for NDT of GRP pipe systems and

tanks
No.: 055

Date effective: 01.03.97

Revision no:

Date revised:

Page: 16

(Table 2.1, cont.'d:)

DEFECT TYPE

SPOOL / JOINT

DESCRIPTION

SUITABLE NDT TECHNIQUES

ANNEX

DEFECTS:

GRP MATERIALS
DEFECTS:
Delaminations

Area where plies within GRP

laminate become separated

Visual inspection
Ultrasonics
Thermography
Radiography
Acoustic emission

A
B
C
D
F

Fractures and cracks

Cracking through the GRP wall

thickness, fiber breakage

Visual inspection (e.g. dye

penetrants)
Acoustic emission
(propagating
cracks)
Ultrasonics
Radiography

Visual inspection(e.g. dye

penetrants/felt-tip pen)
Acoustic emission
(propagating
cracks)

Matrix cracking

Cracking in resin-rich layers,

without fiber breakage

E
C
D

Microcracking (crazing)

Fine hairline cracks at or under

the surface of the laminate.

Visual inspection

Incorrect volume fraction

of fibers

Insufficient strength from too few

fibers; dry spots where the
reinforcement has not been
wetted by resin.

Radiography
Pressure testing
Microscopic examination (of
cross-section)

E
B

Improper fiber
alignment/poor
distribution

Microradiography

Incorrect cure of matrix

Barcol hardness
DSC
Acoustic emission

G
H
F

Porosity, voids, and

inclusions in matrix

Air, outgassing during cure,

foreign matter cured into the
laminate

Radiography
Ultrasonics
Acoustic emission

E
C
F

Erosion

Internal, localised material

removal by abrasive erosion or
cavitation

Visual inspection (internal)

Ultrasonics
Thermography
Radiography

A
C
D
E