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Introduction to NDT
Non--destructive Testing (NDT)
Non Overview of Six Most
Common NDT Methods
Selected Applications
NDT Personnel Certification
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Fields where NDT is used Some Uses of NDT
Mechanical Engineering Flaw Detection and Evaluation
Aerospace Engineering Leak Detection
Civil Engineering Location Determination
Electrical Engineering Dimensional Measurements
Fluorescent penetrant indication
When are NDT Methods Used? Six Most Common NDT Methods
• Visual
NDT is used at almost every stage in the • Liquid Penetrant
production or life cycle of a component. • Magnetic Particles
◦ To assist in product development • Ultrasonic
• Radiography
◦ To screen or sort incoming materials
• Eddy Current
◦ To monitor, improve or control manufacturing
processes
◦ To verify proper processing such as heat treating
◦ To verify proper assembly
◦ To inspect for in-service damage
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Visual Inspection Liquid Penetrant Inspection
• A liquid with high surface wetting characteristics
is applied to the surface of the part and allowed
Most basic and common time to seep into surface breaking defects.
inspection method. • The excess liquid is removed from the surface
of the part.
Tools include fiberscopes,
• A developer (powder) is applied to pull the
borescopes, magnifying
trapped penetrant out the defect and spread it
glasses and mirrors.
on the surface where it can be seen.
Portable video inspection • Visual inspection is the final step in the
unit with zoom allows process. The penetrant used is often loaded
inspection of large tanks with a fluorescent dye and the inspection is
and vessels, railroad tank done under UV light to increase test
cars, sewer lines. sensitivity.
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Radiography
The radiation used in radiography
Film Radiography
testing is a higher energy (shorter High Electrical Potential
wavelength) version of the The part is placed between the
electromagnetic waves that we
see as visible light. The radiation can
Electrons
radiation source and a piece of film.
+ -
come from an X-ray generator or a The part will stop some of the
radioactive source. X-ray Generator radiation. Thicker and more dense
or Radioactive
Source Creates
area will stop more of the radiation.
Radiation
The film darkness
(density) will vary with
the amount of radiation
Radiation
Penetrates
X-ray film reaching the film
the Sample
through the test object.
Exposure Recording Device = less exposure
= more exposure
Top view of developed film
Coil's
Coil magnetic field
Eddy current's
magnetic field
Eddy
currents
Conductive
material
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Eddy Current Inspection Ultrasonic Inspection (Pulse
(Pulse--Echo)
Eddy current testing is particularly well suited for detecting surface
High frequency sound waves are introduced into a
cracks but can also be used to make electrical conductivity and
material and they are reflected back from surfaces or
coating thickness measurements. Here a small surface probe is flaws.
scanned over the part surface in an attempt to detect a crack.
Reflected sound energy is displayed versus time, and
inspector can visualize a cross section of the specimen
f
back surface
echo
crack
echo
crack
0 2 4 6 8 10 plate
Oscilloscope, or flaw
detector screen
Ultrasonic Imaging
High resolution images can be produced by plotting
signal strength or time-of-flight using a computer- What is NDT used for in Engineering?
controlled scanning system.
Inspection of Raw Products
Inspection Following Quality
Control
Secondary Processing
In-Service Damage
Inspection Maintenance
Gray scale image produced using Gray scale image produced using the
the sound reflected from the front sound reflected from the back surface
surface of the coin of the coin (inspected from “heads” side)
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Inspection Following
Inspection of Raw Products
Secondary Processing
Forgings, Machining
Welding
Castings,
Grinding
Extrusions,
Heat treating
etc. Plating
etc.
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Power Plant Inspection Wire Rope Inspection
Electromagnetic devices
Periodically, power plants are and visual inspections are
shutdown for inspection. used to find broken wires
Inspectors feed eddy current and other damage to the
probes into heat exchanger wire rope that is used in
tubes to check for corrosion chairlifts, cranes and other
damage. lifting devices.
Signals produced
by various
amounts of
corrosion
thinning.
Cameras on
long
articulating
arms are used
to inspect
underground
storage tanks
for damage.
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Jet Engine Inspection Crash of United Flight 232
Sioux City, Iowa, July 19, 1989
• Aircraft engines are overhauled
after being in service for a period A defect that went
of time. undetected in an
• They are completely disassembled, engine disk was
cleaned, inspected and then responsible for
reassembled. the crash of
• Fluorescent penetrant inspection United Flight 232.
is used to check many of the parts
for cracking.
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Bridge Inspection Pipeline Inspection
NDT is used to inspect pipelines
• The United States alone to prevent leaks that could
has more than 500000 damage the environment. Visual
highway bridges. inspection, radiography and
electromagnetic testing are some
• Corrosion, cracking and of the NDT methods used.
other damage can all
affect a bridge’s
performance.
• The collapse of the Silver Remote visual inspection using
a robotic crawler.
Bridge in 1967 resulted in
loss of 47 lives.
• Bridges get a visual
inspection about every 2
years.
Magnetic flux leakage inspection.
• Some bridges are fitted This device, known as a pig, is
with acoustic emission placed in the pipeline and collects
data on the condition of the pipe as it
sensors that “listen” for is pushed along by whatever is being
sounds of cracks growing. transported.
Radiography of weld joints.
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NDT Personnel Certification NDT Personnel Certification
NDT certification is per method (e. g. VT, PT, MT, UT, NDT personnel are generally certified to several different
RT, etc.). levels of competence within each of the NDT methods:
◦ Level I : are technicians qualified to perform only specific
NDT certification requires; Training + Experience + calibrations and tests under close supervision and direction by
Examinations. higher level personnel.
◦ Level II : are engineers or experienced technicians who are able
There are two approaches for personnel certification: to set up and calibrate testing equipment, conduct the inspection
◦ Employer Based Certification: Performed by employer in according to codes and standards (instead of following work
accordance with their own Written Practice which is usually instructions) and compile work instructions for Level 1 technicians.
based on a standard recommended practice. ◦ Level III : are usually specialized engineers or very experienced
technicians who can establish NDT techniques and procedures and
◦ Personal Central Certification: Obtained from a central interpret codes and standards. Level III holders also can train NDT
certification authority that is recognized by most employers personnel and issue Level I & II certificates (in the methods in which
(such as ASNT). they are certified in).
www.ndt-ed.org
www.asnt.org
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