NDT Method Summary

No single NDT method will work for all flaw detection or measurement applications. Each of the methods has advantages and disadvantages when compared to other methods. The table below summarizes the scientific principles, common uses and the advantages and disadvantages for some of the most often used NDT methods. Penetrant Testing Magnetic Particle Testing Ultrasonic Testing Eddy Current Testing Radiographic Testing

Scientific Principles
Penetrant solution is # magnetic field is %igh frequenc! sound #lternating electrical ( ra!s are used to applied to the surface established in a waves are sent into a current is passed produce images of of a precleaned component made from material b! use of a through a coil ob)ects using film or component. The liquid ferromagnetic transducer. The sound producing a magnetic other detector that is is pulled into surface material. The magnetic waves travel through field. 'hen the coil is sensitive to radiation. breaking defects b! lines of force travel the material and are placed near a The test ob)ect is capillar! action. through the material, received b! the same conductive material, placed between the E"cess penetrant and e"it and reenter transducer or a second the changing magnetic radiation source and material is carefull! the material at the transducer. The field induces current detector. The thickness cleaned from the poles. Defects such as amount of energ! flow in the material. and the densit! of the surface. # developer is crack or voids cannot transmitted or received These currents travel material that ( ra!s applied to pull the support as much flu", and the time the in closed loops and are must penetrate affects trapped penetrant back and force some of the energ! is received are called edd! currents. the amount of to the surface where it flu" outside of the anal!zed to determine Edd! currents produce radiation reaching the is spread out and forms part. $agnetic the presence of flaws. their own magnetic detector. This variation an indication. The particles distributed &hanges in material field that can be in radiation produces indication is much over the component thickness, and changes measured and used to an image on the easier to see than the will be attracted to in material properties find flaws and detector that often actual defect. areas of flu" leakage can also be measured. characterize shows internal features and produce a visible conductivit!, of the test ob)ect. indication. permeabilit!, and dimensional features.

Main Uses

*sed to locate cracks, porosit!, and other defects that break the surface of a material and have enough volume to trap and hold the penetrant material. +iquid penetrant testing is used to inspect large areas ver! efficientl! and will work on most nonporous materials.

*sed to inspect *sed to locate surface *sed to detect surface *sed to inspect almost ferromagnetic and subsurface defects and near surface flaws an! material for materials ,those that in man! materials in conductive surface and subsurface can be magnetized- for including metals, materials, such as the defects. ( ra!s can defects that result in a plastics, and wood. metals. Edd! current also be used to locates transition in the *ltrasonic inspection inspection is also used and measures internal magnetic permeabilit! is also used to measure to sort materials based features, confirm the of a material. the thickness of on electrical location of hidden $agnetic particle materials and conductivit! and parts in an assembl!, inspection can detect otherwise characterize magnetic permeabilit!, and to measure surface and near properties of material and measures the thickness of materials. surface defects. based on sound thickness of thin velocit! and sheets of metal and attenuation nonconductive measurements. coatings such as paint. Detects surface and near surface defects. Test probe does not need to contact the part. $ethod can be used for more than flaw detection. $inimum part preparation is required. &an be used to inspect virtuall! all materials. Detects surface and subsurface defects. #bilit! to inspect comple" shapes and multi la!ered structures without disassembl!. $inimum part preparation is required.

Main Advantages
+arge surface areas or large volumes of parts.materials can be inspected rapidl! and at low cost. +arge surface areas of Depth of penetration comple" parts can be for flaw detection or inspected rapidl!. measurement is superior to other &an detect surface and methods. subsurface flaws. Parts with comple" 1nl! single sided geometr! are routinel! 0urface preparation is access is required. inspected. less critical than it is in penetrant inspection. Provides distance /ndications are information. produced directl! on $agnetic particle surface of the part indications are $inimum part providing a visual produced directl! on preparation is image of the the surface of the part required. discontinuit!. and form an image of the discontinuit!. $ethod can be used Equipment investment for much more than is minimal. Equipment costs are )ust flaw detection. relativel! low.

Disadvantages
Detects onl! surface breaking defects. 1nl! ferromagnetic materials can be inspected. 0urface must be accessible to probe and couplant. 0kill and training required is more e"tensive than other technique. 1nl! conductive materials can be inspected. 3erromagnetic materials require special treatment to address magnetic permeabilit!. E"tensive operator training and skill required. #ccess to both sides of the structure is usuall! required.

0urface preparation is critical as Proper alignment of contaminants can mask magnetic field and defects. defect is critical.

2equires a relativel! +arge currents are smooth and nonporous needed for ver! large 0urface finish and surface. parts. roughness can interfere with inspection. Post cleaning is 2equires relativel! necessar! to remove smooth surface. chemicals. Thin parts ma! be Paint or other

1rientation of the radiation beam to non Depth of penetration is volumetric defects is limited. critical. 3laws that lie parallel 3ield inspection of to the inspection probe thick section can be coil winding direction

2equires multiple nonmagnetic operations under coverings adversel! controlled conditions. affect sensitivit!. &hemical handling precautions are necessar! ,to"icit!, fire, waste-.

difficult to inspect.

can go undetected.

time consuming. 2elativel! e"pensive equipment investment is required. Possible radiation hazard for personnel.

+inear defects oriented 0kill and training parallel to the sound required is more Demagnetization and beam can go e"tensive than other post cleaning is undetected. techniques. usuall! necessar!. 2eference standards 0urface finish and are often needed. roughness ma! interfere. 2eference standards are needed for setup.

Penetrant Testing

Magnetic Particle Testing

Ultrasonic Testing

Eddy Current Testing

Radiographic Testing