Aerospace

Safety is of paramount importance in the aviation industry and this is dependent on a growing worldwide maintenance, repair & overhaul industry. When used to inspect aerospace structures, ultrasonic testing plays an important role in safety, quality assurance and cost. Its flaw-resolving capabilities can be the difference between life and death.

Using ultrasonics, inspectors can examine areas of aerospace structure that would otherwise be non-accessible without dismantling them to gain access to the internal areas. Ultrasonics can inspect and detect damage that is too small to be discovered by visual means.

To protect public safety and security, it is imperative for aircraft components to undergo rigorous inspection before they are assembled into the aircraft body itself to ensure their quality. NDT procedures allow inspectors to test the integrity of parts and bonds, sometimes in areas of the plane that would otherwise be un-testable unless the structure was disassembled to gain access.

Oil, Gas & Petroleum

The world’s need for energy is ever increasing. As such, it requires the need for more reliable inspection techniques in order to maximise the availability and usage of assets, along with extending life cycles through planned and reliable inspection programmes. Modern materials, along with new extraction techniques, also present unprecedented challenges for the industry. NDT enables greater information to be captured, giving accurate trend analysis.

NDT in the oil and gas industry is critical for both the integrity of equipment and the safety of petroleum refining and extraction operations. Keeping potentially hazardous chemicals and fluids safely contained within pipes and pressure vessels means careful inspection of welds and metals for flaws and corrosion using ultrasonic and eddy current NDT testing solutions.

Power Generation

Application environments within the power generation sector are in abundance and include power plants, refineries, petrochemical plants, nuclear power stations, wind turbines, transmission towers, etc. Inspectors are looking to test for defects in welds for erosion, corrosion and stress cracking in order to ensure that they meet applicable operating codes.

Power generation setups operate in tough environments and under high levels of stress. Since customers expect their electric service to be reliable, unplanned downtime in any power generation facility is a worry. Whether it is inspecting pipelines in a conventional power plant or a turbine at the top of a wind tower, non-destructive testing and remote visual inspection technologies help ensure the safe and reliable operation of power generation facilities.

Metals Industry

Ultrasonic testing is useful due to its ability to determine s weld’s exact position of a discontinuity. This testing method can be used on ferrous and nonferrous materials, is often suited for testing thicker sections accessible from one side only, and can often detect finer lines or plainer defects which may not be as easily identified by radiographic testing.

Ultrasonic testing can help manufacturers of bars, tubing, and related metal products to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction. Ultrasonic inspection is not only used to inspect finished parts but also to inspect raw material in the form of bars, billets and plates supplied for further processing. Solid bars are commonly tested for cracks, piping voids, and inclusions. Tubular products that incorporate resistance welds or arc welds are tested for cracking and lack of penetration along the weld seam, as well as porosity and inclusions.

Railway

With hundreds of thousands of miles of railroads around the globe, it is vital that non-destructive testing is done quickly and efficiently. NDT solutions can protect critical assets, reduce accidents and create a more efficient system of transportation for both people and freight.

Regulations demand testing of nearly all components of wheels and axles, as well as the rail, and are expanding to allow faster in-service rail testing. Conventional and phased array ultrasound, is used to inspect trains and rails during manufacturing and as part of a regular in-service inspection program to help keep railroads on track.

Over time, rails can develop discontinuities originating from either a manufacturing defect or from in-service use. These discontinuities can be disastrous if they go undetected and must be monitored through scheduled maintenance or safety programs.

Marine Industry

Ultrasonic testing is regularly performed on steel and aluminium vessels in the marine industry to detect and quantify corrosion. It can also be used to measure the thickness and integrity of composite structures. Non-destructive testing and inspection of ships can be performed by an experienced ultrasonic technician. Hull inspections keep crews and cargo safe at sea. Regular non-destructive testing is not just a proactive safety measure – it is required by law in many countries. Regular ultrasonic testing ensures that ships meet regulatory requirements and keep passengers safe.

Although visual inspection is frequently used in ship inspections, ultrasonic testing creates a better map of ship corrosion and can accurately determine hull thickness. Images produced through ultrasonic testing can visualize defects inside the hull that visual inspection cannot detect. Regular ultrasonic testing ensures that hull issues are identified before a costly failure.

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, non-destructive testing is an important means to improve the quality control of vehicles.

At present, NDT technology is applied in many aspects such as research and development, manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles. NDT technologies such as radiographic inspection method, penetration testing method, eddy current detection method, ultrasonic inspection method and magnetic particle inspection method is used in the automotive industry. Through the application of NDT technology, the quality control level of automobiles can be better improved.

Ultrasonic Testing in the automotive industry helps ensure that all the parts and components that go into your car meet manufacturer quality standards, so you can be confident every time you turn the key.