Non Destructive Testing

(NDT)
Definition
A wide group of analysis techniques used in science and
industry to evaluate the properties of a material,
component or system without causing damage.

Nondestructive examination (NDE)

Nondestructive inspection (NDI)

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE)
Importance of NDT
Does not permanently alter the article being inspected

Save both money and time in product evaluation,

troubleshooting and research

Can be used to detect flaws in an in-process machine

part
Common NDT Methods

NDT methods rely upon use of electromagnetic

radiation, sound, and inherent properties of materials
(such as thermal, chemical, magnetic etc.) to examine
samples.
Some of the methods used
Ultrasonic Testing

Magnetic particle inspection

Dye penetrant inspection/Liquid penetrant inspection

Radiographic testing

Eddy-current testing
Application Areas
 Aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Civil engineering

Systems engineering

Medicines
Ultrasonic testing
Very short ultrasonic pulse-waves are launched into

materials to detect internal flaws.

Used for steel and other metals and alloys, can also be

used on concrete, wood and composites (with less

resolution).

Used in many industries including aerospace,

automotive and other transportation sectors.
Two methods of receiving the ultrasound waveform:
Reflection

Through Transmission
Principle:

LEFT: A probe sends a sound wave into a test material. There are two indications, one from

the initial pulse of the probe, and the second due to the back wall echo.

RIGHT: A defect creates a third indication and simultaneously reduces the amplitude of the

back wall indication. The depth of the defect is determined by the ratio D/Ep.
Magnetic particle inspection
Part is magnetized.

Presence of a surface or subsurface discontinuity in the

material allows the magnetic flux to leak, since air cannot

support as much magnetic field per unit volume as metals.
Ferrous iron particles are then applied to the part.

Particles will build up at the area of leakage and form what

is known as an indication.
Dye Penetrant Inspection
Penetrant may be applied to the test component by

dipping, spraying, or brushing

After adequate penetration time, the excess penetrant is

removed, a developer is applied.

Developer helps to draw penetrant out of the flaw where

an invisible indication becomes visible to the inspector

1. Section of material with a
surface-breaking crack that
is not visible to the naked
eye.

2. Penetrant is applied to the

surface.

3. Excess penetrant is
removed.

4. Developer is applied,
rendering the crack visible.
Radiographic Testing
Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation (high

energy photons) to penetrate various materials.

 The amount of radiation emerging from the opposite

side of the material can be detected and measured

Form of results from Radiographic Testing

Tube exhibiting no cracking Tube exhibiting light cracking

Tube exhibiting moderate cracking Tube exhibiting severe cracking

Corrosion detection in pipelines
Eddy-Current Testing
Uses electromagnetic induction to detect flaws in
conductive materials.
Variations in the phase and magnitude of these eddy

currents can be monitored using a second 'receiver' coil, or

by measuring changes to the current flowing in the primary
'excitation' coil.

Variations in the electrical conductivity or magnetic

permeability of the test object, or the presence of any flaws,
will cause a change in eddy current and a corresponding
change in the phase and amplitude of the measured current.
 NDT Technique Nature of defect

Ultrasonic Testing Sub-surface, interstitial

Magnetic Particle Inspection Surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities

in ferroelectric materials

Dye Penetrant Inspection Surface-breaking defects in all non-porous

materials

Radiographic Testing Surface, Sub-surface defects

Eddy-Current Testing Surface, Sub-surface defects (depending on

conductivity)
 A Case Study

A process plant contained two stainless steel vessels

which had been operating for 21 years. The contents of
the vessels were flammable, mildly toxic and contained
500 ppm of chlorides. The vessels were operated from
full vacuum up to 15 psi for 20 cycles per day. They
contained an agitator which was used in part of the
process. Both vessels had been hydraulically tested to
70 psi when new but had not been subjected to a test
since
Company thought that stainless steel would not break.
Hence, no leak detection equipment had been
installed and reliance was placed on plant operators
noticing the smell or observing drips.

A competent Person from a large insurance company

prescribed external visual examination supplemented
by a hammer test every 2 years.

Was this suitable?

The combination of stainless steel and chlorides
immediately raises concerns regarding the possibility
of stress corrosion cracking. While the cracks were
likely to initiate on the inner surface, an external
examination could detect the presence of through wall
cracks only. However, stress corrosion cracks can be
very tight and difficult to see with the naked eye. The
hammer test offers no benefit - who knows what a
good vessel should sound like!
During a thorough examination, it was found that
vessel developed leaks at 40 psi. Further investigation
of the vessel found thousands of through wall cracks.
The vessel had not leaked in service because the
contents were too viscous to pass through the tight
stress corrosion cracks.

Finally it was decided to go for NDT with Dye

Penetrant Inspection using fluorescent dyes, which
give a higher sensitivity and much better results in the
confined, dark space of the vessel.
 Conclusion
NDT techniques provide cost-effective and reliable analysis

under realistic conditions.

Each NDT technique has certain capabilities and limitations

and often more than one technique is used to cover various

parts.
Increasing availability of robotic scanners improve the speed

of testing large surfaces, hence minimizing the testing time.

 References
 THE IMPORTANCE OF WELDING QUALITY CONTROL,K.M. WONG
& Scarlett YEUNG,A.E.S. Destructive & Non-Destructive Testing Ltd

 http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/
techmeasndt.htm#CaseStudies

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Nondestructive_testing#Methods_and_techniques

 http://testex-ndt.com/from-the-field/corrosion-detected-in-pipelines-
using-lfet/
Thank You !!