One of the most widely used methods of inspecting weldments is ultrasonic inspection. Ultrasonic inspections can be conducted on a wide variety of material forms including castings, forgings, welds, and composites. Ultrasonic thickness inspection is routinely utilized in industries to determine various degrees of corrosion/erosion.

Phased Array (PAUT) is an Advanced Ultrasonic technique for flaw detection, sizing and imaging. A single PA probe is made up of many individual elements that can be fired in a certain sequence to produce a certain sound wave. Phased array uses the same physics of conventional ultrasonic’s but it is able to perform many scans from one probe to produce an image. The Inspections can be carried out on but not limited to Welds, Nozzles and Bolts. Corrosion Mapping can also be completed using the PAUT technique.

As well as manual UT and PAUT, NDT Group also offers Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD). The ToFD technique differs from other ultrasonic methods in that detection and sizing are principally based on imaging of diffracted wave fronts. ToFD can be used independently or in conjunction with other ultrasonic techniques such as ToFD and PAUT in order to cover the root and cap regions of a weld during inspection.

Dye penetrant inspection (DPI), is a widely applied inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). DPI is used to detect surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on components and welds. The DPI inspection requires that the area to be tested must be free of paint, debris and any coatings.

Magnetic particle Inspection (MPI) is a non-destructive testing process for detecting surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials such as Carbon Steel, Iron and Nickel. The process works by putting a magnetic field into the weld or component. Like the DPI examination the inspection area must be free of paint, debris and any coatings.

Visual Inspections can be the most basic and common inspection method in NDT, but this doesn’t mean they are any less important. NDT Group can supply Robotic crawlers, Boroscope Systems and UAV Inspections (Unmanned Air Vehicle Inspection) in hazardous or tight areas, such as air ducts, reactors, pipelines and storage tanks.

Positive Material Identification (PMI) provides alloy chemistry and grade ID information instantly using a handheld tube-based analyzer without having to transport, alter, or damage the material. PMI is also used to ensure that the parent material in vessels and pipe spools is composed of the correct composition (i.e.304 or 316) and once the component is welded that the correct filler material was used.

Similar to the MPI inspections the Eddy Current Welds inspection can detect surface breaking defects without removal of the paint on magnetic material and has the ability to test areas with poor access.

Internal rotary inspection system (IRIS) is an ultrasonic NDT technique. The IRIS probe is inserted into a tube that is flooded with water, and the probe is pulled out slowly as the data is displayed and recorded. The inspections are are commonly used for inspecting boilers, heat exchangers, and fin-fan tubes. Eddy Current is a NDT method for inspection of non-ferrous tubes. The tube inspections are often used to detect corrosion, erosion, cracking and other changes in tubing on steam generators, condensers and heat exchangers. The Eddy Current examinations do not require water for the inspections like the IRIS method.

Industrial radiography is used as a method of NDT on many types of manufactured components and welds. Radiography can be used to examine and verify the internal structure and integrity of the component or weld utilizing either X-rays or gamma rays. NDT Group offers both film, and digital (CR/DR) Radiography Inspections.

NDT Group offers experience in tank inspection on shells, floors, roofs, welds, nozzles and post repairs. Using both conventional and advanced inspections NDT Group will provide you with a clear and concise report on the condition of your tank.

NDT Group offers EEMUA 159 inspection packages for above ground flat bottomed storage tanks. With over 10 years’ experience in the procedure we can produce a package to meet your budget from supporting you with the NDT inspections as well as a completed Written Scheme of Examination right up to a Fitness for Purpose Report detailing the estimated remaining life of your assets.