Ultrasonic Flaw Detection

Read more about our Ultrasonic Flaw Detection services below:

What is Ultrasonic Flaw Detection?

Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a family of non-destructive testing techniques based on the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the object or material tested. In most common UT applications, very short ultrasonic pulse-waves with centre frequencies ranging from 0.1-15 MHz, and occasionally up to 50 MHz, are transmitted into materials to detect internal flaws or to characterize materials.

We can test on site or at our premises where we have handling facilities by overhead cranes to weights of 5 and 10 ton also forklift truck with a capacity of 3 tons. We can also offer transport up to 16 ton; we can collect from and return to site at a competitive rate too.

How does Ultrasonic Flaw Detection Work?

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is the process of inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials, components or assemblies for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without destroying the serviceability of the part or system. In other words, when the inspection or test is completed the part can still be used.

A form of NDT, Ultrasonic Flaw Detection utilises high frequency sound waves through material to reveal flaws. If a flaw is present the high frequency sound waves are reflected from flaws and generate clear echo patterns. Portable digital instruments record and display these echo patterns and our highly skilled technicians interpret the data ensuring the material being tested remains intact.

What materials can Ultrasonic Flaw Detection be used on?

Ultrasonic testing is often performed on steel and other metals and alloys, though it can also be used on concrete, wood and composites, albeit with less resolution. It is used in many industries including steel and aluminium construction, metallurgy, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and other transportation sectors.

High penetrating power, which allows the detection of flaws deep in the part.
High sensitivity, permitting the detection of extremely small flaws.
In many cases only one surface needs to be accessible.
Greater accuracy than other non-destructive methods in determining the depth of internal flaws and the thickness of parts with parallel surfaces.
Some capability of estimating the size, orientation, shape and nature of defects.
Some capability of estimating the structure of alloys of components with different acoustic properties.
Non-hazardous to operations or to nearby personnel and has no effect on equipment and materials in the vicinity.
Capable of portable or highly automated operation.
Results are immediate. Hence on the spot decisions can be made.

Manual operation requires careful attention by experienced technicians. The transducers alert to both normal structure of some materials, tolerable anomalies of other specimens (both termed “noise”) and to faults therein severe enough to compromise specimen integrity. These signals must be distinguished by a skilled technician, possibly requiring follow up with other non-destructive testing methods.
Extensive technical knowledge is required for the development of inspection procedures.
Parts that are rough, irregular in shape, very small or thin, or not homogeneous are difficult to inspect.
Surface must be prepared by cleaning and removing loose scale, paint, etc., although paint that is properly bonded to a surface need not be removed.
Couplants are needed to provide effective transfer of ultrasonic wave energy between transducers and parts being inspected unless a non-contact technique is used. Non-contact techniques include Laser and Electro Magnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMAT).

Principle of ultrasonic testing. 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 the third indication and simultaneously reduces the amplitude of the back-wall indication. The depth of the defect is determined by the ratio D/Ep

Wrought Products

Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) is frequently used to assess corrosion, erosion, and mechanical damage of the structural materials on tanks, vessels, piping, castings and structural steel.

The testing is accomplished with portable equipment and the results are evaluated to industry standards, codes, or customer specifications. This method can locate and measure the amount of corrosion, erosion or voids within a material. This data is then used to assess the life expectancy of the component or if repairs are required before returned to service.

Castings

In metalworking, metal is heated until it becomes liquid and is then poured into a mould. The mould is a hollow cavity that includes the desired shape, but the mould also includes runners and risers that enable the metal to ill the mould. The mould and the metal are then cooled until the metal solidifies.

The solidified part (the casting) is then recovered from the mould. Subsequent operations remove excess material caused by the casting process (such as the runners and risers). Defects found in castings, porosity, airlocks, blowholes, non-metallic inclusions, pipe/shrinkage, segregation, cold shuts, hot tears (cracks), sinks, scabs.

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS CHECKING

Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) is frequently used to assess corrosion, erosion, and mechanical damage of the structural materials on tanks, vessels, piping, castings and structural steel.

WELDS PLATE AND PIPE 3.1 & 3.2

Ultrasonic Testing involves the utilisation of ultrasonic sound waves to detect defects inside a material. The welded joints have possibilities of defects inside the welds, or sometime near the weld zone.

The type defects that are often found in welds are porosity, cracks, slag inclusion, lack of fusion, lack of penetration, root concavity, crater pipes, sharp undercuts, burn through, HAZ cracks and more. Ultrasonic scanning is utilised to detect these discontinuities.

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection

What is Ultrasonic Flaw Detection?

How does Ultrasonic Flaw Detection Work?

What materials can Ultrasonic Flaw Detection be used on?

Wrought Products

Castings

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS CHECKING

WELDS PLATE AND PIPE 3.1 & 3.2

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