Conventional NDT

SA-International offer Ultrasonic Testing (UT), both thickness measurement and angle beam methods.

SA-International offer Radiographic Testing (UT), both X-Ray and Gamma Ray.

Visual Testing is the most commonly used test method in industry. Because most test methods require that the operator look at the surface of the part being inspected, visual inspection is inherent in most of the other test methods. As the name implies, VT involves the visual observation of the surface of a test object to evaluate the presence of surface discontinuities. VT inspections may be by Direct Viewing, using line-of sight vision, or may be enhanced with the use of optical instruments such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, boroscopes, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and computer-assisted viewing systems (Remote Viewing). Corrosion, misalignment of parts, physical damage and cracks are just some of the discontinuities that may be detected by visual examinations.

Also called Dye Penetrant Test, it is a low cost method used to locate surface breaking defects in all materials, it is used to scan casting, forging and welding surfaces.

Is a low cost method used to check surface and slightly sub surface discontinuities of ferromagnetic materials.

Eddy current testing is widely used in the aerospace industry and in other manufacturing and service environments that require inspection of thin metal for potential safety-related or quality-related problems. In addition to crack detection in metal sheets, eddy current can be used for certain metal thickness measurements such as identifying corrosion under aircraft skin, measuring conductivity, monitoring the effects of heat treatment, and determining the thickness of non-conductive coatings over conductive substrates.

Common Applications

• Weld Inspection: Many weld inspections employ ultrasonic NDT for subsurface testing and a complementary eddy current method to scan the surface for open surface cracks on weld caps and in heat-affected zones.
• Conductivity Testing: Eddy current testing’s ability to measure conductivity can be used to identify and sort ferrous and nonferrous alloys, and to verify heat treatment.
• Surface Inspection: Surface cracks in machined parts and metal stock can be readily identified with eddy current. This includes inspection of the area around fasteners in aircraft and other critical applications.
• Corrosion Detection: Eddy current instruments can be used to detect and quantify corrosion on the inside of thin metal such as aluminum aircraft skin. Low frequency probes can be used to locate corrosion on second and third layers of metal that cannot be inspected ultrasonically.
• Bolt Hole Inspection: Cracking inside bolt holes can be detected using bolt hole probes, often with automated rotary scanners.

Is an integral part of tank inspection process as recommended by API and other international standards to evaluate the condition of a tank bottom plate weld or shell to bottom plate weld.

Also known as X-Ray Fluorescence Testing. Provides alloy chemistry and grade ID information instantly using a handheld analyzer without damage the sample. It is also used to ensure that the parent material in vessels and pipe spools is composed of the correct composition. Once the component is welded it is used also to ensure that the correct filler material was used.