Non-Destructive Testing

Methods

Unit I NDT An INTRODUCTION

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is the process of

inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials,

components or assemblies for discontinuities,
or differences in characteristics withoutcausing
damage or destroying the serviceability of the
part or system.
NDT

ensure product reliability, to control

manufacturing processes, lower production
costs and to maintain a uniform quality level.

Uses of NDT Methods

Flaw Detection and Evaluation
Leak Detection
Location Determination
Dimensional Measurements
Structure and Microstructure

Characterization
Estimation of Mechanical and Physical

Properties
Material Sorting and Chemical

Composition Determination

When are NDE Methods

Used?
There are NDE application at almost any stage
in the production or life cycle of a component.
To assist in product development
To screen or sort incoming materials
To monitor, improve or control

manufacturing processes
To verify proper processing such as heat
treating
To verify proper assembly

Why Nondestructive?
Test piece too precious to be destroyed
Test piece to be reuse after inspection
Test piece is in service
For quality control purpose

Difference between destructive

and NDT
Destructive in nature

and are therefore

done on a limited
number of samples
("lot sampling"),
rather than on the
materials,
components or
assemblies actually
being put into
service.

NDT

is the process of inspecting,

testing,
or
evaluating
materials,
components
or
assemblies
for
discontinuities,
or
differences
in
characteristics without destroying the
serviceability of the part or system.

used

to determine the
physical
properties
of
materials such as impact
resistance, ductility, yield
and
ultimate
tensile
strength,
fracture
toughness
and
fatigue
strength but discontinuities
and differences in material
characteristics are cannot
determine effectively
suitable, and economic, for
objects which will be massproduced.
Automobiles are subject to
crash testingby
both
automobile manufactures
and a variety of agencies.

determining

characteristics
of
materials
or
components and for
detecting and assessing
inhomogeneity
and
harmful defects.

Suitable

for failure of a
component would cause
significant
hazard
or
economic loss.
Pressure vessels, building
structures,
piping,
and
hoisting equipment.

Skilled worker not

necessary to perform
to testing.

Testing performed

after production.

Skilled judgments

and experience
worker is required
while performing
NDT.
There are NDT
application at
almost any stage
in the production
or life cycle of a
component.

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Heat Exchanger Tubes

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Eddy

Current

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Cable Wires

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Magnetic

Particle

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Storage Tank Body

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Ultrasound

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Thin Outer Body of

Aircraft

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Eddy

Current

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Innumerous Engine
Parts

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Fluorescent

Penetrant

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Railway Tracks

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Magnetic

Particle

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Bridge Cables

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used : Acoustic

Emission

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Inner Surface of Pipes

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used :

Radiography

Applications
Power Plant
Inspection
Wire Rope Inspection

Pressure Vessels

Storage Tank
Inspection
Aircraft Inspection
Jet Engine Inspection
Rail Line Inspection
Bridge Inspection
Pipe Line Inspection
Pressure Vessel
Inspection
Devang Gandhi

NDT Method Used :

Radiography

Advantages
Excellent for locating surface and subsurface
defects
Easy to use for field inspection with portable
equipment
It is a very sensitive method, capable of
finding extremely fine flaws
It can be used on magnetic and non-magnetic
metals, some plastics and glass
Small objects, with awkward shapes, can be
inspected
A power supply is not needed for some
methods of penetrant testing
low-cost method for assessing materials

Limitations
Preparation, before testing, can be time
consuming and costly
The method cannot normally be applied to
painted objects
There may be a problem disposing of
contaminated cleaning and penetrant fluids
Higher level of training and certification
required to perform testing
Initial investment is high
Not good for large volume inspection
Difficult to adopt mechanized system

Major types of NDT

Detection of surface flaws
1. Visual
2. Magnetic Particle Inspection
3. Fluorescent Dye Penetrant Inspection
Detection of internal flaws
1. Radiography
2. Ultrasonic Testing
3. Eddy current Testing