NON-

DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
SUMMARY

1. Introduction
2. Major Types of NDT
3. Visual Inspection
4. Magnetic Particle Test
5. Liquid Penentrant Test
6. Radiography
7. Ultrasonic Testing
8. Comparative Analysis
Introduction

Definition
Non-Destructive examination is a general term used to identify the common inspection
method for evaluation of welds and related materials without destroying their usefulness.

i.e. Inspect or measure without doing harm .

Major types of NDT

Visual Inspection

Detection of surface flaws Liquid penetrant Test

Magnetic Particle Test

Types of NDT

Radiography

Detection of internal flaws

Ultrasonic Testing
Visual Inspection

 Easy to apply and quick

 No special equipment other than good eyesight

and some simple and inexpensive tools

 Scales and gauges used for checking the

Magnifying glass
Videoscope dimensions of the welds

 Many fillet gauges used to determine the size

of the fillet.

Limitation – External or surface conditions only

Microscope Robotic Crawler

 Liquid penetrant test
Principle
It is based upon the principle of capillary action.

Why LPT?

It improves the detectability of flaws.

 Flaw indication is much larger and easier for eye to detect.

 Flaw indication with high level of contrast between indication and

background.

 Used for detecting surface discontinuities in ferrous, non-ferrous and

all types of relatively hard metallic as well as non-metallic products.
Liquid penetrant test

Basic Procedure
COMPONENT PRECLEANING

APPLICATION OF PENETRANT

EXCESS PENETRANT REMOVAL

APPLICATION OF DEVELOPER

INSPECTION

CLEAN SURFACE
Liquid penetrant test
Defects Detection

Limitation – Surface films such as coatings,

scale and smeared metal may mask or hide
discontinuity
Crack detection in Tubesheet Crack detection In Flange

Crack detection In Pipe

Magnetic Particle Test
Basic Procedure – For Ferrous material, not applicable in Non-ferromagnetic
material such as aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, copper and copper alloys,
lead, titanium alloys and austenitic SS
COMPONENT PRECLEANING
 Weldments that have discontinuities
on or near the surface

 Inspection equipment is portable

INTRODUCTION OF MAGNETIC FIELD
 Less expensive than RT and UT

 Revealing discontinuities that are not

open to the surface and not detected
APPLYING MAGNETIC PARTICLES by PT

Limitations –
INSPECTION
Limited to ferromagnetic material

DEMAGNETISATION
 Magnetic Particle Test
Defects Detection

Throat & Toe crack in weld

Lack of fusion in SMAW weld

 Radiography

Principle
Source

 Weldments that have voluminous

discontinuities such as porosity,
incomplete joint, Penetration, slag
etc.
Limitations – X - Rays on or near the surface
1. Radiation hazard to
personnel  Not restricted to type of material
Defect
 Surface and sub-surface
2. Cost of equipment,
discontinuities.
facilities, safety X-ray film
programs and  Revealing discontinuities that are
D not open to the surface and not
licensing is relatively
high detected by PT

Top view of developed film

Radiography
Defects Detection

 Porosity

 Lack of penetration
Radiography
Defects Detection
 Cold / Hot crack

 Burn Through
 Ultrasonic Testing
Principle

 Weldments that have voluminous

Transducer discontinuities such as cracks, slag
( PROBE)
and incomplete fusion.
Defect
 Not restricted to type of material
(Flaw)

 Surface and sub-surface

Flaw detector discontinuities.
CRT
screen
 It can be used to verify base metal
thickness.

Limitations –
1. Surface condition must be
suitable for transducer
Weld

2. Small thin welds may be difficult

Ultrasonic Testing Setup to inspect
Ultrasonic Testing
Inspection Techniques

 Pulse Echo Method

Digital display showing signal

generated from sound
reflecting off back surface.

Digital display showing the presence

of a reflector midway through
material, with lower amplitude back
surface reflector.
Comparative analysis

PARAMETER UT RT MPT LPT

Applicability Internal defects Surface & internal Surface & near Surface
surface

Time of results Immediate Delayed Short delay Short delay

Relative sensitivity High Medium Low Low

Capital Cost Medium to high High Medium Low

Common types of Discontinuities
 NDE Applicability for Discontinuities

A= Applicable method
O= Marginal Applicable
U=Usually not used
 NDE Applicability for Weld Joint types

A= Applicable method
O= Marginal Applicable