Non Destructive Testing is a broad category of inspection techniques utilized in various science and engineering field to assess the characteristics of a construct, component or machine without causing physical damage to it. Generally, non destructive testing (NDT) refers to the inspection, diagnosis, and repair of material, component or process under normal and extraordinary operating conditions. The objective of NDT is to identify the problem or defects as early as possible so that they can be corrected before they become a cause of delays in production and operation. It helps to save both time and money. It is mainly used for non-destructive testing in all engineering domains.
There are several types of NDT like electrical discharge testing (EDT), eddy current testing (EDT), magnetic testing, resistance testing, resistive testing and impact testing. In electrical discharge (EDT), electrical potentials generated by the device are detected through electrodes, and the size of the potential is measured. Through this, the probability of the presence of faults is calculated and the corrective measures are implemented.
Why NDT techniques are crucial when it comes to inspection?
Non Destructive Testing techniques are widely used for inspection systems using controlled environments for various purposes including inspection of welded products, testing of piping, pipe fittings, seals, air handling systems, generators, and marine applications such as tank inspection, vessel inspection and maintenance. Among these applications, tank inspection and maintenance are one of the most important. Since fuel containment tanks contain corrosive liquids and gases, it is very important to detect any leakage before the containment tanks undergo damage due to internal pressures or temperatures.
Another important application of non-destructive testing is the magnetic particle inspection (MPS). Magnetic particle inspection is also known as the magnetic field quality inspection (MCS) technique. In this inspection technique, the performance of a machine or apparatus is evaluated through the use of magnetic fields. The machine or apparatus to be tested is placed in a magnetic field which is produced by a generator. Through the application of several different methods, the performance of the machine or apparatus is evaluated as to its ability to withstand sudden magnetic field shifts.
Know the basic methods to conduct inspections
Some common methods used for the magnetic particle inspection of welding processes include complete volumetric inspection (CVI), ultrasonic testing, and incomplete cup formation. The complete volumetric inspection (CVI) involves the use of computer based equipment to generate a map of the weld puddle through the welding of the welded arc. On the other hand, ultrasonic testing utilizes sound waves to determine the existence and location of defects.
Apart from MPS and DUV testing, there are several other NDT methods that are commonly used for inspection purposes. One of them is the magnetic flux leakage test (FVLT). This NDT is also referred to as the magnetic flux deposition test. In this test, high-frequency sound waves are used to generate a magnetic field within a test area. This magnetic flux leakage occurs due to the interaction of the magnetic field with high frequency electrical current. High frequency current produces the highest amount of magnetic flux leakage. One can find several options for non destructive testing by checking out websites like infrastructurepc.com.