TOFD principle

With the image converted to

grey scales it’s relatively
easy to evaluate the
examined object

41
TOFD principle

42
Example of a TOFD Scan

43
Example RT-TOFD
10 mm pipe
cold crack

44
45
46
47
Probes, wedges and TOFD equipment
Portable and robust (stand alone or slave mode)

48
 TOFD Applications
Non Destructive Weld Examination

Pre Service inspection partly and fully welded

welds, 6-... mm (experience up to 350mm)
Diameters from DN 100 (4 inch)
In Service Inspections (up to 450° C)
Piping (weld) inspections
Root corrosion and erosion inspection
Detection and monitoring of hydrogen damage

49
 Advantages of TOFD
Detection is independent of the orientation of the indication,
resulting in a higher probability of detection (POD)
The reliability of the technique notably reduces the chance that
an important error is missed. The missing of an important error
can lead to an unplanned shut down
Reproducibility and measuring errors proved < 0.5 mm
deviation
Consistent results before and after PWHT
Electronic and/or hard copy available
Immediate result
NO radiation, so weld and construction activities can continue,
because there is no need to evacuate large zones for
performing the inspection
Defect monitoring is possible (during production)
50
 Disadvantages of TOFD
Only applicable on fine-grained steel (low or non alloyed steel)
Starting thickness of 6 mm
Starting diameters of 4”
Death zone at the surface, this dead zone is dependant on the
inspected wall thickness
Some geometries are impossible (has to be reviewed case by
case)

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Probes and wedges,
Principle of Phased Array

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Probes and wedges,
Principle of Phased Array

•Phased-array technology consists of

cutting up mono-element transducers
into multiple element transducers.
•These multiple elements are
individually excited with controlled time-
shifts (which are defined in 1 law).
•Multiple laws result in multiple UT
beams, which are fired one after
another (following the PRF)

53
Probes and wedges,
Principle of Phased Array
This example illustrates a linear PA probe

Beam Deviation +
Beam Deviation
Beam Focalisation

Beam Focalisation Multiple beams

54
Probes and wedges,
Principle of Phased Array

This example illustrates a Matrix TRL PA probe

Variable Refracted Angle Variable Focalisation Depth Variable Skew Angle

Variation of Refracted Angle Variation of Focal Depth Variation of Skew Angle

FOCAL DE PTH

ANGLE = 0

SKEW = 0

55
Probes, wedges and Phased Array equipment
Portable and robust (stand alone or slave mode)

Ch ann el na m e ∆ X: 0 ∆ Y: 0

E nd Y

Color pal et te
Zoom Y

S cale Y

B egi n Y

E nd X

B egi n X

S c al e X

Zo om X

56
Phased Array examination on SS-9%Ni-Austenitic welds

• Welded specimen with artificial reflectors

– Block T = 25 mm V shaped weld prep
– Block T = 12 mm V shaped weld on backing strip

• Reflectors:
– 3 x SDH Ø 2 mm
– EDM notch H = 2 mm and L = 20 mm
– EDM notch H = 6 mm and L = 20 mm

• Equipment:
– Omniscan PA 32/128
– Linear PA probes (Vinçotte-Imasonic)
– Encoder
– PC Tomoview

57
Development of technique

• Mathematical:
– Central frequency
– Shear or Compression waves?
– Distance to weld center line?

58
Development of technique

– Definition of the refracted

angles to obtain complete
insonification of the weld
and HAZ.
– Law simulations to verify
the insonification

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Development of technique

Solution for pipe to pipe configuration:

Acquisition along the weld from both sides with different angles (S-Scan)

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Results on validation block

Volumetric merged view of all laws on validation block

61
Results on validation block

Ultrasonic image of SDH: proof of volume coverage

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Results on validation block

Detection and sizing of notches. ID notch, H = 2 mm observed with diffraction

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 Examination of welded T-joint
• T-joint connexion of annular
plate:
– Scanning from multiple
sides
– Need for special calibration
block

64
 Semi Automated UT PA

Examination of welded T-joint

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Examination of welded T-joint

66
Comparison AUT – RT on planar and
volumetric flaws

2
9 Ni

3 11,5

9 Ni
2
3

67
 Comparison AUT - RX

Inconel

2
9 Ni

3 11,
5
9 Ni
2
3

68
 Comparison AUT - RX

Inconel

2
9 Ni

3 11,
5
9 Ni
2
3

69
 Comparison AUT - RX

Inconel

2
9 Ni

3 11,
5
9 Ni
2
3

70
 Comparison AUT - RX

Inconel

2
9 Ni

3 11,
5
9 Ni
2
3

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 What in case of pipe-fitting?
Single Sided Phased Array Pulse Echo
Depending on thickness: One or two single line scans
Sizing with diffraction method (corner – tip)
or additional Manual PE (same probes - equipment)

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 What in case of pipe-fitting?
Single Sided Phased Array image root scan

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 What in case of pipe-fitting?
Single Sided Phased Array image cap scan

74
 Available scanners
Tomas scanner (>5”) COBRA (1” -> 5”)

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 Available scanners
Tomas scanner (>5”) COBRA (1” -> 5”)
single sided single sided

76
UT Pipeline inspections

77
Combination PE - TOFD

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Combination PE - TOFD

79
Combination PE - TOFD

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