SUMMARY OF NDT METHODS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Visual Testing (VT) Penetrant Test (PT) Magnetic Particle (MT) Eddy Current (ET) Ultrasonic (ET) Vibration Analysis (VA) Acoustic Emission (AE) Radiographic Testing (RT)

VISUAL Testing (VT)

APPLICATIONS
Surface discontinuities:
Cracks, porosity, slag misalignment, warpage, incorrect size or number.

COMMENTS
Should always be the first method applied.

VISUAL Testing (VT)

ADVANTAGES
Inexpensive; fast; simple; apply during processing. Can eliminate need for other methods.

LIMITATIONS
Surface only; variable and poor resolution; eye fatigue; distractions. Need good illumination.

PENETRANT (PT)

APPLICATIONS
Surface discontinuities:
Cracks, porosity, seams, laps, leaks.

COMMENTS
Messy; need good ventilation.

PENETRANT (PT)

ADVANTAGES
Inexpensive; easy to apply; more sensitive than visual alone; use on most materials; rapid; portable.

LIMITATIONS
Surface only; not useful on hot, dirty, painted, or very rough surfaces. Requires some technique.

MAGNETIC PARTICLE (MT)

APPLICATIONS
Surface and near surface discontinuities:
Cracks, voids, porosity, inclusions, seams, laps.

COMMENTS
Messy. Can cause defects.

MAGNETIC PARTICLE (MT)

ADVANTAGES
Low cost; fast; more sensitive to tight cracks than PT; can do near subsurface; portable.

LIMITATIONS
Material must be ferromagnetic; surface must be clean; part may be demagnetized; alignment of field is important. Requires operator technique.

EDDY CURRENT (ET)

APPLICATIONS
Surface and near surface discontinuities:
Seams, composition, thickness, eccentricity, surface condition.

COMMENTS
Requires good standards.

EDDY CURRENT (ET)

ADVANTAGES
Extremely rapid; can be automated; very sensitive; surface contact not necessary; permanent record.

LIMITATIONS
Shallow penetration; conductive materials only; may require special equipment; sensitive to geometry; difficult interpretation sometimes.

ULTRASONIC (UT)

APPLICATIONS
Surface and deep subsurface discontinuities:
Cracks, laminations, porosity, lack of fusion, inclusions, thickness.

COMMENTS
Need good standards. Frequently used method.

10

ULTRASONIC (UT)

ADVANTAGES
Rapid if automated but manual is slow; applicable to very thick specimens; can give location and size of discontinuity; good sensitivity; inspect from one side; portable.

LIMITATIONS
Couplant required; thin complex shapes are difficult; orientation of discontinuity important; very operator-dependent.

11

DYNAMIC TESTING VIBRATION ANALYSIS

APPLICATIONS
System abnormalities:
Misalignment, lack of bonding, missing or worn components, loose parts.

COMMENTS
Should begin with installation of system and test at regular intervals.

12

DYNAMIC TESTING VIBRATION ANALYSIS

ADVANTAGES
Useful in predictive or preventative maintenance; identify problem areas or parts; indicate severity in-service; test; portable.

LIMITATIONS
Special equipment; experience required; some systems are too complex.

13

ACOUSTIC EMISSION (AE)

APPLICATIONS
Surface and subsurface discontinuities:
Crack initiation and growth, leaks, boiling and cavitations, phase changes.

COMMENTS
Indications and usually checked by other methods. Use is growing rapidly.

14

ACOUSTIC EMISSION (AE)

ADVANTAGES
Remote and continuous surveillance, location, severity, permanent record. Tests an entire vessel or system.

LIMITATIONS
Contact with system; may need many contact points; complex interpretation; system must be stressed; usually expensive; some systems are too complex.

15

RADIOGRAPHY (RT)

APPLICATIONS
Subsurface discontinuities:
Cracks, voids, inclusions, thickness variation, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration, corrosion, missing components, composition>

COMMENTS
One of the most frequently used methods.

16

RADIOGRAPHY (RT)

ADVANTAGES
Easily understood permanent record; usually moderate cost; can be portable; applicable to a wide range of materials.

LIMITATIONS
Cannot detect laminations; radiation hazard and regulations; access to both sides can be high cost; requires trained operators.

17