NON-
DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
SUMMARY
1. Introduction
2. Major Types of NDT
3. Visual Inspection
4. Magnetic Particle Test
5. Liquid Penentrant Test
6. Radiography
7. Ultrasonic Testing
8. Comparative Analysis
Introduction
Definition
Non-Destructive examination is a general term used to identify the common inspection
method for evaluation of welds and related materials without destroying their usefulness.
i.e. Inspect or measure without doing harm .
Major types of NDT
Visual Inspection
Detection of surface flaws Liquid penetrant Test
Magnetic Particle Test
Types of NDT
Radiography
Detection of internal flaws
Ultrasonic Testing
Visual Inspection
Easy to apply and quick
No special equipment other than good eyesight
and some simple and inexpensive tools
Scales and gauges used for checking the
Magnifying glass
Videoscope dimensions of the welds
Many fillet gauges used to determine the size
of the fillet.
Limitation – External or surface conditions only
Microscope Robotic Crawler
Liquid penetrant test
Principle
It is based upon the principle of capillary action.
Why LPT?
It improves the detectability of flaws.
Flaw indication is much larger and easier for eye to detect.
Flaw indication with high level of contrast between indication and
background.
Used for detecting surface discontinuities in ferrous, non-ferrous and
all types of relatively hard metallic as well as non-metallic products.
Liquid penetrant test
Basic Procedure
COMPONENT PRECLEANING
APPLICATION OF PENETRANT
EXCESS PENETRANT REMOVAL
APPLICATION OF DEVELOPER
INSPECTION
CLEAN SURFACE
Liquid penetrant test
Defects Detection
Limitation – Surface films such as coatings,
scale and smeared metal may mask or hide
discontinuity
Crack detection in Tubesheet Crack detection In Flange
Crack detection In Pipe
Magnetic Particle Test
Basic Procedure – For Ferrous material, not applicable in Non-ferromagnetic
material such as aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, copper and copper alloys,
lead, titanium alloys and austenitic SS
COMPONENT PRECLEANING
Weldments that have discontinuities
on or near the surface
Inspection equipment is portable
INTRODUCTION OF MAGNETIC FIELD
Less expensive than RT and UT
Revealing discontinuities that are not
open to the surface and not detected
APPLYING MAGNETIC PARTICLES by PT
Limitations –
INSPECTION
Limited to ferromagnetic material
DEMAGNETISATION
Magnetic Particle Test
Defects Detection
Throat & Toe crack in weld
Lack of fusion in SMAW weld
Radiography
Principle
Source
Weldments that have voluminous
discontinuities such as porosity,
incomplete joint, Penetration, slag
etc.
Limitations – X - Rays on or near the surface
1. Radiation hazard to
personnel Not restricted to type of material
Defect
Surface and sub-surface
2. Cost of equipment,
discontinuities.
facilities, safety X-ray film
programs and Revealing discontinuities that are
D not open to the surface and not
licensing is relatively
high detected by PT
Top view of developed film
Radiography
Defects Detection
Porosity
Lack of penetration
Radiography
Defects Detection
Cold / Hot crack
Burn Through
Ultrasonic Testing
Principle
Weldments that have voluminous
Transducer discontinuities such as cracks, slag
( PROBE)
and incomplete fusion.
Defect
Not restricted to type of material
(Flaw)
Surface and sub-surface
Flaw detector discontinuities.
CRT
screen
It can be used to verify base metal
thickness.
Limitations –
1. Surface condition must be
suitable for transducer
Weld
2. Small thin welds may be difficult
Ultrasonic Testing Setup to inspect
Ultrasonic Testing
Inspection Techniques
Pulse Echo Method
Digital display showing signal
generated from sound
reflecting off back surface.
Digital display showing the presence
of a reflector midway through
material, with lower amplitude back
surface reflector.
Comparative analysis
PARAMETER UT RT MPT LPT
Applicability Internal defects Surface & internal Surface & near Surface
surface
Time of results Immediate Delayed Short delay Short delay
Relative sensitivity High Medium Low Low
Capital Cost Medium to high High Medium Low
Common types of Discontinuities
NDE Applicability for Discontinuities
A= Applicable method
O= Marginal Applicable
U=Usually not used
NDE Applicability for Weld Joint types
A= Applicable method
O= Marginal Applicable
