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NDT, or non-destructive testing, is the name given to the specialist kind of equipment used to non-invasively test an item, material, or object without causing any harm or damage. Here are the top 5 types of NDT supplies to use if you are looking to quality control and better understand the medium you are working with.

1. Penetrant Line

A PT penetrant system is a process used to determine defects in the surface of an object or material. A fluorescent penetrant line offers a sophisticated method by which to discover the depth, width and integrity of any indent or crack that may have occurred. A NDT Electrostatic Penetrant line provides a non-invasive way to check the surface of a material or object for defects without creating any further damage. This method only works on non-porous materials and can be used on both plastic and metal alike.

2. Black light

Black lights use UV lighting to inspect particles otherwise invisible to the naked eye. The UV radiation received by the phosphors in the black light is what helps to convert the image into something visible and a variety of liquids along with vitamins and minerals will all show up under a black light. Having optimum contrast is essential, so it is important to purchase your back light from a reputable NDT equipment supplier as most lamps decrease in effectiveness and productivity with age.

3. Gauges

Gauges can be used in several different ways, primarily for measuring thickness and the conductivity of base materials. Gauges can be used in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, electronic and marine, so it is a good idea to purchase a high quality, long lasting instrument. The dimensional information received via the use of gauges is most often utilised by industries such as engineering and all branches of science.

4. Meters

Meters come in a variety of different guises and are a generic term for a measuring product. NDT meters can be used to determine temperature variation, concealed material damage such as cracks and corrosion along with conductivity as well as susceptibility and resistance. Meters generally use a measuring system like a clock face, with numbers that rise and fall depending on the reading obtained. They are perhaps the most widely used and consumer friendly types of NDTS.

5. Radiation

NDT equipment is probably most widely known as being used for radiation investigations, such as x-rays. Radiology equipment can ascertain issues and problems via images taken using x-rays. These are high energy rays that pass through the body’s soft tissues, leaving behind a blank space and thus creating an image on metal film. As radiation can cause damage to cells if not used correctly, it is important to only purchase reputable equipment and use only as instructed.

The usage and types of NDTs are far more extensive, but these top 5 supplies are the most used and the ones you are most likely to come across when approaching an NDT supplier.

 

Choosing the right liquid penetrant system can be tough given that there are multiple varieties of developer types and options for use. FPI systems use a form of non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect flaws in materials.

Within aerospace, the NDT supplies are used in the manufacture, design, and maintenance of aircraft. However, one set of penetrant materials does not automatically work in every application.

Factors to Consider

When selecting the right penetrant materials, several factors need to be considered. Note that the FPI penetrant system varies in capabilities, size and shape. Therefore, for each application, several factors must be considered.

These may include:

• The material: Solvent removable methods may damage the surface because of the incompatibility existing between the under test and the penetrant.
• Size and type of defect: A post-emulsifiable method can detect wide and shallow defects. The fluorescent method is the best for detecting fine defects.
• The number of parts to be tested: fluorescent systems are best for batch inspections due to their high sensitivity to fluorescent indications.
• Geometry and intricacy: post-emulsifiable methods may leave tracks of excessive background coloration.

If sensitivity is your primary drive when choosing a penetrant system, decide if you will need a visible dye penetrant or a fluorescent penetrant. FPI systems produce a detectable indication from small defects.

Naturally, because the human eyes are sensitive to dark indications on dark backgrounds, they tend to be drawn more to fluorescent indications. Bespoke NDT systems reveal the material’s characteristics, including the tensile strength, the toughness of the fracture and ductility.

The use of NDT in Aerospace

In aviation, the most critical factor is safety. Therefore NDT is employed in the lifecycle of each product. That includes the designing of new aircraft, the inspection of engines and structures and the qualification of new industry material.

In the development phase, this system may be used to help in the production of flexible and light materials. Engineers use this system to test the aircraft and certify its performance and durability. It is also used to investigate issues within the aircraft.

Determining the Best Option

The visible penetrant may be the best choice under certain circumstances. When inspecting large defects, a highly sensitive system may not be your best choice, given that it may give an extended length of irrelevant indications.

In past inspections, this type of dye has been seen to give excellent results when the flaws are located in weldments or when the surface is rough. Because visible dye penetrants do not need a dark area, they are easier to use in the field.

The other consideration would be deciding on whether to use post-emulsifiable, solvent removable or water washable penetrants.

The use of FPI Electrostatic Penetrant Line is increasing, thanks to the advanced technology and data handling. Aerospace testing is vital for the safety of passengers. For NDT to be carried out, adherence to the stipulated standards must be observed.

 

NDT stands for non-destructive testing which covers a wide range of uses. At its core, the definition of NDT Equipment are tools that can examine an object or material using technology that does not affect its future usefulness. As you can imagine, examples of NDT can be seen in anything from manufacturing to medical testing. In this article, we will unpick 5 interesting non-destructive testing methods you should know about.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

Ultrasonic testing comes in many different non-destructive forms. However, all the variations rely on the use of ultrasonic waves to test an object or material and without causing any harm. One of the most common uses of UT is ultrasonic thickness measurement. Here the technique is used to measure the thickness of an object like some metal pipework. In this way, the metal’s corrosion can be tracked over time and the risk of the pipe breaking can be reduced.

Radiographic Testing (RT)

This technique involves the use of x-rays or gamma rays to view the internal structure of a component. The most obvious application of this testing is in medical x-rays for broken bones. However, a custom NDT equipment supplier can provide similar technology for the petrochemical industry, where this technique is employed to inspect machineries such as pressure vessels and valves, for cracks and other dangerous flaws.

Dye Penetrant Inspection (DP)

This method, also known as liquid penetrant inspection (LPI), NDT Penetrant Line and PT Penetrant System, is a fantastic choice for low-cost inspections and widely used in various industries. In this technique, a coloured dye is sprayed onto the object you want to test and used to reveal any surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials such as metals, plastics, or ceramics.

Electromagnetic Testing (ET)

This technique employs the use of electromagnetic currents and fields; these are passed through the object you want to test. The responses from these fields and currents can then be read to reveal more about the inside of an object. These types of tests can be difficult to get right and require advanced NDT Equipment or the use of an external non destructive testing services specialist.

Visual Testing (VT)

Visual testing is one easy method of non-destructive testing that is based on optics. This can cover a wide range of methods from spot-checks with nothing more than a glance on a manufacturing line to more scientific approaches with optical equipment and measuring instruments.

As you can see there are various techniques and uses for NDT from a wide range of industries. And these are just some of the methods of non-destructive tests. So, if you are considering employing NDT in your business, we are sure you will find a method to suit your needs.

 

ATH NDT is a long-established NDT service provider that serves as a “one-stop shop” for all aspects of the business. With years of hands-on expertise, our level 3 consultants can provide a wide range of level 3 services, including data card approvals, NADCAP preparation, and 24/7 assistance.

We also build penetrant lines and chemical processing lines in the United Kingdom, with customers such as British Engineering Ltd, Hanson Springs, The Welding Institute, and Heroux Devtek (APPH), to mention a few.

Services We Offer

Consultancy at the third level

With the ever-changing world of engineering, your company may discover an increasing demand for NDT.

Service & Repair of Calibration

Maintaining a good level in NDT is critical.

NDT Equipment & Services for Specialists

We want to assist everyone, from NDT Inspection Services to Non-Destructive Testing Equipment! Anyone interested in learning more should contact our staff right now. The latest in inspection technology is available from ATH NDT Limited. Our wide range of defect detectors, thickness gauges, transducers, probes, and other products all come with the software you’ll need to fulfil worldwide inspection standards. Our devices may help you prioritise performance and safety by detecting and characterising faults in a variety of materials, including as metals, and ceramics.

Calibration

If you purchase new NDT equipment from us, you will have the choice of having it supplied calibrated to applicable industry standards or having it calibrated after installation, which will save you time and effort.

When our inspection lines are delivered, we provide training and calibration for your team. This comprises temperature gauges, pressure indicators, and drying oven calibration. This way, you can be assured that all your equipment is up to code before we depart. If you do not require these services, we are as delighted to have any calibration performed by your regular experts.

 

This is one of our most basic inspection techniques, but it’s also one of our most effective non-destructive testing methods. Contact us right now for dependable results and knowledgeable guidance from a friendly engineer. We provide coverage throughout the United Kingdom.

A penetrating dye solution is applied to the required surface area of the investigated structure. Following that, the dye is removed from the surface, with any further staining indicating abnormalities in the substance under inquiry.

This type of NDT is commonly used to detect surface flaws due to its dependability and effectiveness as a form of quality control. It ensures that any indications that components should be fixed or replaced are detected and documented.

ASTM E165 Liquid Penetrant Testing also serves as a resource: a means of determining the adequacy and thoroughness of a liquid penetrant examination technique advocated or mandated by various organisations.

Process standards and techniques for liquid penetrant testing of components and materials are developed. Every customer who requires penetrant testing is strongly advised to sign a contract. All aspects of this procedure may be agreed upon by the competent engineering organisation and the supplier.

To organise liquid penetrant testing facilities and staff.

This discipline includes methodologies for material penetrant examination. Surface discontinuities such as cracks, seams, laps, cold shuts, shrinkage, laminations, through leaks, or lack of fusion are detected by non-destructive testing procedures like as penetrant testing. It is suitable for in-process, final, and maintenance inspections. It may test nonporous, metallic, ferrous, and nonferrous metals, as well as non-metallic materials such as nonporous glazed or completely densified ceramics, nonporous polymers, and glass.

This practise neither provides nor suggests criteria for assessing penetrant testing indications. However, if signs are found, they must be reviewed or categorised before they may be analysed.

There must be a particular regulation, standard, or formal agreement in place to specify the kind, size, position, and direction of permissible and prohibited indicators.

 

It is difficult to find surface fractures on a non-porous substance with the naked eye. This is where tools like a fluorescent penetrant system and custom NDT equipment are useful. The techniques are used to find flaws in objects made of ceramic, metal, and plastic, including leaks and cracks. The steps you must follow to find flaws in any non-porous material are listed below.

Cleansing initially

When doing fluorescent penetrant examination, pre-cleaning or initial cleaning of the material is the first and necessary step (FPI). In order to leave the surface exposed, this step guarantees that all liquids, oils, grease, and paints are removed. In this manner, the outcomes are flawless and free of contaminants. It also makes it simple for you to spot the surface flaw.

Deep-cutting use

The penetrant application process begins once the material is prepared and clean. After gently immersing the surface, the penetrant is allowed to work for a while. The time frame relies on the material being used and the kind of flaw you believe could be visible at first glance. A good amount of material exposure to the penetrant frequently yields excellent results, as any seller of NDT supplies would also concede.

Taking away extra penetrant

In a controlled setting, the extra penetrant must be removed next. That way, all surface-based penetrants will be eliminated, leaving just the penetrant on the alleged flaws. If the extra penetrant isn’t removed, flaws are probably going to result.

Applications from developers

The surface is coated uniformly with a thin layer after the material has been cleaned of extra penetrant. The developer is known by this name. By separating the penetrant from the fault, it is responsible for providing an ideal indication or visibility. Stains that are coloured will reveal any potential flaws.

Surface examination

Inspecting the surface is the final stage when utilising the custom penetrant system. After 10 minutes, you need to finish. For the surface to blot and produce outstanding results, that amount of time is sufficient. The outcomes could be unreliable if you wait too long. Because of this, be careful to time everything correctly. low ambient light, and UV radiation are all used throughout the examination as per the necessary equipment. With such, it will be simple for you to see the flaws.

That brings us to the current list of the five crucial actions you must complete while using the fluorescent penetrant system. For precise and simple-to-read results, each step should be properly completed. Any error produced might result in sounds, which frequently make it challenging to spot the flaws.

The term “liquid penetrant inspection,” or “LPI,” also refers to dye penetration testing. One of the non-destructive inspection methods most frequently employed is dye penetrant examination. It may be utilised in a huge range of product applications and sectors. This approach is employed in metalworking facilities, the aerospace industry, the production of electrical energy, and any procedure that makes use of a metal joining technique like welding. It is applied to pipe inspection and weldment verification in the petrochemical sector. The purpose of these tests is to look for any surface breaking faults. These tests have several applications. Typically, they are used to ceramics, non-porous materials, metals, and plastics. The non-destructive procedures and low cost of the test have made it famous. It is required to undergo dye penetration testing if a new product is to be developed. It locates any potential cracks and leaks caused by fatigue.

Dye-Penetrating Fluorescent Inspection Principle

This assessment is focused on the dye’s ability to penetrate, as implied by its name. Any surface discontinuities and flaws will absorb the dye when it is forced to flow through the material. As a draw penetrant, the dye is also known. The most frequent methods for applying it are brushing, dipping, and spraying. Developer is used after the penetrant has been removed from the surface. Visual inspection is performed by the developer. An excellent tool for identifying anomalies is the liquid penetrant examination system. The durability of the material may also be guaranteed using them. Although liquid penetrant testing may be used on any non-porous, clean material, whether metallic or not, it is not recommended for use on surfaces that are extremely unclean or rough. The penetrant testing method must include surface cleaning. A manual, semi-automatic, or completely automated process can be used. It is typical to use continuous manufacturing lines, penetrant examination, and time-cycled cleaning, dipping, washing, and drying of the specimens.

Liquid Penetrant Inspect Advantages

Sensitivity: The test can detect even minute surface imperfections. It is well known for being extremely sensitive. Industries are frequently looking for testing techniques that may detect contaminants that are both small and irregularly distributed. This type of testing satisfies both of these demands.

Flexibility: Several materials may be tested using the liquid penetrant method. It encompasses both conductive and non-conductive items, metallic and non-metallic surfaces, and even magnetic and non-magnetic surfaces. These materials can all be tested without failure.

• Testing aids in visualising the issue for engineers. Directly drawn on the surface are the indicators.
• The exam is affordable. All the test materials were economically viable on their own.

Various use cases to start, this method of testing may be used to a wide range of geometric forms. The test doesn’t require an even surface because it relies on the amount of absorption. Even if the surface’s form is complex, imperfections will nevertheless allow liquid to get through. When faults are present, they will eventually be visible on the surface.

Chemicals utilised in these tests are exceedingly compact, in contrast to those employed in many other testing procedures. They may be easily stored and used throughout the examinations.

 

We’ve all been waiting, we heard it was coming. And many of those affected will now know that its arrived, what are we talking about?

It’s called ISO9712-2022 the International standard for qualification and certification of NDT personnel affective for General engineering sectors and manufacturing.

There are several factors to address which may have impact on organisations from large to small and even the Independent contractor, but it all needs to begin with small steps.

From the top down and the bottom up, the Implementation of a plan and awareness is key at an early stage.

 

• Firstly if your certification is reliant upon ISO9712 schemes or PCN, you may already be aware of certain changes from BINDT, Inform your employer QA-department to the new changes.
• QA-managers who employ NDT personnel are expected to conduct a risk based assessment or GAP-Analysis from 2012 to 2022 requirements.
• QA-managers and companies who have contractual obligations by design or legal binding requirements are expected to conduct a risk based assessment of needs, and how do 2022 requirements affect their operations.
• Assessments and analysis would be expected to adopt Plan-Do-check-Act methodologies consistent and ISO9001 certification.

 

Advisory points:

The new 2022 standard Introduces the need for companies to adopt a Company written practice procedure outlining the requirements for how to certify personnel and the scope of certification needed for your company.

Even though your company has a design or contractual need for NDT, have you audited your supplier to review if their company written practice meet the needs of your company?

All companies differ in the qualification and certification requirements and should not be overlooked. If needed your Level-3 NDT technician or Notified body can offer advice.

British standards online offer guidance documentation and standards to advise uses of the changes to requirements, please see the links below for more Information:

BS EN ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing. Qualification and certification of NDT personnel | BSI (bsigroup.com)

 

The PSM-5 simulated defect panel has become the industry standard for repeated function of a company’s Liquid penetrant process, utilised commonly with fluorescent systems monitoring daily performance and aiding to fault find the defective element of the system wherever monitoring would fall below an established baseline.

The PSM-5 panel is manufactured from stainless steel sheet material, chromium plated and Impressed from the rear of the panel with 5 Brinell hardness indents in a controlled manner to crack the layer of chromium of the panels test side. You’ll also note that on the (right) test side the panel has an aluminium oxide media blasted surface, this roughness creates a surface for washability tests called out by your specifications or national standard.

One common misconception is that the TAM is used to measure sensitivity by the number of stars you can achieve. This thinking is only a crude estimation, more realistically this is a measure of the manufacturer’s formulation, viscosity, pigmentation, and fluoro-optical properties.

This guide and recommended practice are recommended for new and experienced users. With the passage of time many people will have troubles with there simulated defect monitoring panel, but by experience it always comes back to best practices. There are a multitude of cleaning options (not all best for use with your panel) and with some effective pointers and tips you should experience trouble free use for many years.

Storage: Store your panel by immersion in a fast evaporating solvent. Acetone is suitable and easy to obtain. Just make sure its in a well-sealed container to stop any evaporation losses.

 

Operation:

• Remove your panel from storage and wipe the panel area with a clean lint free wipe before the solvent evaporates away. You don’t want any residual streaks staining your testing area.
• Preferably dry your panel in an air circulated drying oven at 60-70oC for 15 mins prior to the application of penetrant materials, but if your liquid penetrant system doesn’t utilise this a compressed air blast (<25psi) will accelerate evaporation. The panel may appear to be dry after point-one but without this stage starburst 5 (smallest crack) may become difficult to replicate.
• After removal from your drying oven, allow the surface to cool <38^oC is recommended. You don’t want to accidently dry the penetrant on the surface of your panel or increase the penetrant viscosity.
• Apply your penetrant and process in a typical manner to that of your production parts. Recommendable to process daily with your first batch production run. (For ease of description a process control chart of operation sequences is recommended).
• Following development evaluate and view your panels results to that of BASELINE calibration that was created when first established, The comparison will be to a 1:1 scale colour photograph replica.
• After completion remove the developer residues with a lint free cloth and return your panel to storage in solvent.

Common faults:

I can’t find Starburst 4 or 5 (dependent chosen penetrant): As described earlier, most cases come down to poor pre-processing. If you don’t fully evaporate or dry the panel before applications, you’ll still hold an amount of solvent residue in the tight Indications. This will reduce effective penetration, may dilute your penetrant constituents in the flaw reduce detectability.

A second reason could be your developer application layer. Has there been a difference in application time compared to the BASELINE or is the developer chosen In-affective? If this has happened and you try to Isolate the developer, apply a thin layer of non-aqueous developer to see if there is penetrant in the flaw itself. (don’t do this more than once) repeated wipes will remove any penetrant you try to locate.

Discrepancy between multiple operators can have an outcome on results obtained, the practices here will help but recommended to develop a process control chart or data card to standardise the processing of the test panel…. this way you achieve repeatable results.