What Is Non Destructive Testing?
What Is Non Destructive Testing?
Non Destructive Testing (NDT) refers to a range of processes and techniques to evaluate the properties and qualities of a material without causing damage to said material or affecting its serviceability. NDT is a profession that combines materials science, physics and quality assurance, and is often used to inspect serviceable objects and materials for characteristic differences and discontinuities that may affect the performance of these materials, such as cracks, voids, impurities & welding defects and discontinuities.
Non destructive testing is an essential process for many industries, as it is paramount that their materials and equipment are all functioning to the highest possible standards without any defects that may cause risk of harm to people, or cost huge amounts of money to repair or replace. Some of the industries that regularly use NDT include aerospace, welding & fabrications, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, transportation, chemical, maritime & construction.
To read more about the many different approaches that can be taken when undertaking non-destructive testing, read our guide “What Are The NDT Techniques Commonly Used?” here.
Some of the techniques used in Non Destructive Testing Include:
Visual Non Destructive Testing: This is where aspects of materials such as welds are visually inspected to check for any defects or discontinuities. While visual welding inspection is not always associated with NDT, it is in fact the most widely used method of NDT and an incredibly important first step for finding any imperfections in a material. Learn more about Visual Examination by reading our “What Is Visual Examination?” guide.
Magnetic Particle Non Destructive Testing: This is where a ferromagnetic specimen is magnetised, and the presence of any cracks or defects on the surface is shown by the use of minute iron particles that congregate around any cracks to show a magnetic flux reflex. This is particularly useful to detect surface discontinuities that are too small to be picked up during a visual inspection. To read more about Magnetic Inspection, take a look at our guide: “How Does Magnetic Particle Inspection Work?“
Radiographic Inspection/X-Ray Non Destructive Testing: This involves passing X-Rays through a material to test the internal structure of said test specimen. Radiography non destructive testing allows the user to establish internal quality of a weld without damaging or destroying the component and is one of the most widely used forms of NDT.
Dye Penetrant Testing: Dye Pen NDT as it is sometimes known involves applying a brightly coloured liquid to the surface of the test specimen and left to soak. When the dye is removed, cracks and impurities on the surface will show. It can be used to find any imperfections that may not be immediately visible to the naked eye or where a small amount of assisted magnification is used. To find out more about Dye Pen Testing, read our guide: “What Is Dye Penetrant Testing?”
Ultrasonic Non Destructive Testing: This is where ultrasonic pulses are sent into the material and received by a machine that creates a map of the internal structure of a weld or a test piece. This can be used to find most manufacturing flaws (lack of sidewall fusion, lack of root fusion, lack of root penetration, porosity, solidification cracking, etc.) and in-service flaws (fatigue cracking, stress corrosion cracking, etc.). Learn more about Ultrasonic Testing with our guide: “How Does Ultrasonic Testing Work?”
Positive Material Identification: This is where an X-Ray fluorescence gun is used to determine the chemical properties of any material or substance. This is incredibly useful to find any impurities in any given material. Read more about PMI testing with our guide: “What Is Positive Material Identification?”
What We Do
Surecheck NDT offers all of the above non destructive weld testing methods at our NDT Testing UK facility in Cannock, Staffordshire, as well as offering many of these services offsite at any location around the UK. As one of the leading non destructive testing companies in the UK, our non destructive testing technicians carry out all NDT activities and work within all the necessary health & safety requirements that are applied within the NDT industry. Our central location means we are well positioned to provide fast turn around NDT testing across the UK, either on site or off site.
