Non-destructive testing (NDT)

Gurzu Vlad-Nicolae, Ingineria Sudarii Anul I Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage. The terms Nondestructive examination (NDE), Nondestructive inspection (NDI), and Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) are also commonly used to describe this technology. Because NDT does not permanently alter the article being inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. ommon NDT methods include ultrasonic, magnetic!particle, liquid penetrant, radiographic, remote visual inspection ("#$) %ethods& NDT methods may rely upon use of electromagnetic radiation, sound, and inherent properties of materials to e'amine samples. This includes some (inds of microscopy to e'amine e'ternal surfaces in detail, although sample preparation techniques for metallography, optical microscopy and electron microscopy are generally destructive as the surfaces must be made smooth through polishing or the sample must be electron transparent in thic(ness. The inside of a sample can be e'amined with penetrating electromagnetic radiation, such as )!rays or *D )! rays for volumetric inspection. +ound waves are utili,ed in the case of ultrasonic testing. ontrast between a defect and the bul( of the sample may be enhanced for visual e'amination by the unaided eye by using liquids to penetrate fatigue crac(s. -ne method (liquid penetrant testing) involves using dyes, fluorescent or non!fluorescing, in fluids for non!magnetic materials, usually metals. .nother commonly used method for magnetic materials involves using a liquid suspension of fine iron particles applied to a part while it is in an e'ternally applied magnetic field (magnetic!particle testing). Thermoelectric effect (or use of the +eebec( effect) uses thermal properties of an alloy to quic(ly and easily characteri,e many alloys. The chemical test, or chemical spot test method, utili,es application of sensitive chemicals that can indicate the presence of individual alloying elements. /lectrochemical methods, such as electrochemical fatigue crac( sensors, utili,e the tendency of metal structural material to o'idi,e readily in order to detect progressive damage. .pplication& Weld veri ication $n manufacturing, welds are commonly used to 0oin two or more metal parts. Because these connections may encounter loads andfatigue during product lifetime, there is a chance that they may fail if not created to proper specification. 1or e'ample, the base metal must reach a certain temperature during the welding process, must cool at a specific rate, and must be welded with compatible materials or the 0oint may not be strong enough to hold the parts together, or crac(s may form in the weld causing it to fail. The typical welding defects (lac( of fusion of the weld to the base metal, crac(s or porosity inside the weld, and variations in weld density) could cause a structure to brea( or a pipeline to rupture. 2elds may be tested using NDT techniques such as industrial radiography or industrial T scanning using )!rays or gamma rays,ultrasonic testing, liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle inspection or via eddy current. $n a proper weld, these tests would indicate a lac( of

crac(s in the radiograph, show clear passage of sound through the weld and bac(, or indicate a clear surface without penetrant captured in crac(s. 2elding techniques may also be actively monitored with acoustic emission techniques before production to design the best set of parameters to use to properly 0oin two materials. $n the case of high stress or safety critical welds, weld monitoring will be employed to confirm the specified welding parameters (arc current,arc voltage, travel speed, heat input etc) are being adhered to those stated in the welding procedure. This verifies the weld as correct to procedure prior to nondestructive evaluation and metalurgy tests. Structural !ec"anics# +tructures can be comple' systems that undergo different loads during their lifetime. +ome comple' structures, such as theturbomachinery in a liquid!fuel roc(et, can also cost millions of dollars. /ngineers will commonly model these structures as coupled second!order systems, appro'imating dynamic structure components with springs, masses, and dampers. These sets of differential equations can be used to derive a transfer function that models the behavior of the system. $n NDT, the structure undergoes a dynamic input, such as the tap of a hammer or a controlled impulse. 3ey properties, such as displacement or acceleration at different points of the structure, are measured as the corresponding output. This output is recorded and compared to the corresponding output given by the transfer function and the (nown input. Differences may indicate an inappropriate model (which may alert engineers to unpredicted instabilities or performance outside of tolerances), failed components, or an inadequate control system.

Application#

NDT is used in a variety of settings that covers a wide range of industrial activity, with new NDT methods and applications, being continuously developed. Automotive Aviation $o&erplants %oc)etr' *onstruction !anu acturing $ipelines %ail&a's %e"a(ilitation