NON DESTRUCTIVE

TESTING (NDT) EQIPMENTS

By
Bhargav Bharati
(17-1-3-007)
What is NDT?
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a testing and analysis
technique used by industry to evaluate the properties of a
material, component, structure or system for
characteristic differences or welding defects and
discontinuities without causing damage to the original
part.

NDT also known as non-destructive examination (NDE),

non-destructive inspection (NDI) and non-destructive
evaluation (NDE).
 Gives result
without
structural
damage

Rapid and on- Access to

site Why hidden items:
accumulation NDT? “see through
of data walls”

Less
expensive
than
Destructive
Testing
NDT methods
Visual inspection

Magnetic Particle Testing

Liquid Penetrant Testing

Ultrasonic Testing

Eddy Current Testing

Radiographic Testing
 Visual Inspection

> Most basic and common

inspection method. Limitations:
Tools used in visual > Can identify only large
> Portable video inspection with inspection: discontinuities.
zoom allows inspection of large
tanks and vessels, rails road tanks Mirrors, Magnifying Glass, > Limited to surface
cars, sewer lines. Microscopes, Endoscopes, discontinuities.
Flexible fibers, Closed circuit > Result depend on the eye
Television system, Computer resolution of the inspector.
> Robotic crawlers permit enhanced system
observation in hazardous or tight > May cause eye fatigue to the
areas such as air ducts, reactors, inspector.
pipelines
Magnetic Particle Testing

A technique used to detect surface and slightly subsurface flaws in most ferromagnetic materials
such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, and some of their alloys.

MPT is a fairly simple process with two variations:

Wet Magnetic Particle Testing (WMPT)
Dry Magnetic Particle Testing (DMPT).

In either one, the process begins by running a magnetic current through the component.
Any cracks or defects in the material will interrupt the flow of current and will cause magnetism
to spread out from them. This will create a flux leakage field at the site of the damage.

The second step involves spreading metal particles over the component. If there are any flaws on
or near the surface, the flux leakage field will draw the particles to the damage site. This
provides a visible indication of the approximate size and shape of the flaw.
 https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagParticle/Introduction/basicprinciples.htm

Magnetization Applying a permanent or electro-magnet to the surface (magnetic flow)

may be produced
by any of the Putting the specimen inside a current-carrying coil, or forming a coil around the
following specimen
methods: Placing a current-carrying coil or loop close to the specimen surface

Making the specimen the secondary loop of a transformer – (induced current) – suitable
for ring-shaped specimens
Passing a large current through the specimen, or locally by means of current prods
(current flow)
 • Highly portable.
• Generally inexpensive.
• Does not need a stringent pre-cleaning operation.
• One of the best options for detecting fine, shallow surface cracks.
Advantages • It is fast, easy, and works through thin coatings.

• Testing material must be ferromagnetic.

• Only detects surface and near-to-surface defects.
• Large currents are sometimes required to perform this method, thus burning of test parts is
sometimes possible.
Disadvantages • Once MPT has been completed, the component must be demagnetized, which can
sometimes be difficult.
Magnetic Particle Equipment

https://ndtsupply.com/magnetic-particle.html
Liquid Penetrant Testing

Also referred as penetrant testing (PT), liquid penetrant testing (LP), and
dye penetrant testing (DP)

A nondestructive examination (NDE) method that utilizes fluorescent dye

to reveal surface flaws on parts and equipment which might not otherwise
be visible.

The technique works via the principle of capillary action, a process where a
liquid flows into a narrow space without help from gravity

Since it is one of the easiest and least expensive NDE techniques to

perform, LPE is one of the most commonly used inspection techniques in
many industries, including oil and gas.
six-stage process Surface cleaning (degreasing etc)
Application of a penetrant liquid (dipping, spray, brush)
Removal of excess penetrant (solvent, water)
Application of developer
Inspection of test surface (visual, television camera)
Post-inspection cleaning (anti-corrosion solutions).

https://eis.hu.edu.jo/ACUploads/10526/Liquid%20Penetrant%20Testing.pdf
 • Works on complicated geometric shapes.
• Sensitive to small surface interruptions.
• Visual, real-world results.
Advantages • least expensive.

• Extensive, time-taking pre-cleaning critical-surface contaminants can mask defects.

• Sensitive to surface-breaking defects only.
• Direct connection to the surface under test necessary.
• Works on relatively non-porous surface materials only.
Disadvantages • Time-taking; post-cleaning also necessary.
 Liquid Penetrant Testing Equipment 

Modular penetrant equipment

for large-scale and high-volume processes

Stand-alone penetrant testing equipment

for moderate volume liquid penetrant inspection

Compact penetrant testing equipment

for low volume liquid penetrant inspection

https://www.magnaflux.com/Magnaflux/Products/Liquid-Penetrant-Inspection/Equipment.htm
Ultrasonic Testing

A technique that uses short, high-frequency ultrasonic waves to identify

flaws in a material.

They generally work by emitting waves into a material. By measuring these

waves, the properties of the material and internal flaws can be identified

Most UT devices consist of many separate units. These can include pulse
generator and receivers, transducers, and display monitors.

The components included depend on the type of UT that the inspector is

performing.
Working of Ultrasonic Testing:

• As shown in below figure (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.
• As shown in below figure (right) : A defect creates a third
indication and simultaneously reduces the amplitude of the
back wall indication. The depth of the defect is determined by
the ratio D/Ep
• There are two methods of receiving the ultrasound waveform:
Reflection https://instrumentationtools.com/ultrasonic-testing/

Attenuation.
Reflection Attenuatio
n method

In reflection (or pulse-echo) mode, the

transducer performs both the sending and the In attenuation (or through-transmission)
receiving of the pulsed waves as the “sound” mode, a transmitter sends ultrasound
is reflected back to the device. Reflected through one surface, and a separate receiver
ultrasound comes from an interface, such as detects the amount that has reached it on
the back wall of the object or from an another surface after traveling through the
imperfection within the object. medium.

Imperfections or other conditions in the

space between the transmitter and
The diagnostic machine displays these receiver reduce the amount of sound
results in the form of a signal with an transmitted, thus revealing their
amplitude representing the intensity of presence. Using the couplant increases
the reflection and the distance, the efficiency of the process by
representing the arrival time of the reducing the losses in the ultrasonic
reflection. wave energy due to separation between
the surfaces
 ULTRASONIC
THICKNESS GAGE

An ultrasonic thickness gage is an instrument that generates sound pulses in a test piece and very
precisely measures the time interval until echoes are received. 

Having been programmed with the speed of sound in the test material, the gage utilizes that sound
velocity information and the measured time interval to calculate thickness via the simple relationship
[distance] equals [velocity] multiplied by [time].

Under optimum conditions, commercial ultrasonic gages can achieve accuracies as high as +/- 0.001 mm,
with accuracies of +/- 0.025 mm or better possible in most common engineering materials.

ULTRASONIC FLAW
DETECTOR

Sound waves traveling through a material will reflect in predictable ways off of flaws such as cracks
and voids.

An ultrasonic flaw detector is an instrument that generates and processes ultrasonic signals to create a
waveform display that can be used by a trained operator to identify hidden flaws in a test piece.
 • High penetrating power, which allows the detection of flaws deep in the part..
• High sensitivity, permitting the detection of extremely small flaws..
• Some capability of estimating the size, orientation, shape and nature of defects.
• Non hazardous to operations or to nearby personnel and has no effect on equipment and
Advantages materials in the vicinity.

• Extensive technical knowledge is required for the development of inspection procedures.

• Manual operation requires careful attention by experienced technicians.
• Parts that are rough, irregular in shape, very small or thin, or not homogeneous are
difficult to inspect.
Disadvantages • Inspected items must be water resistant, when using water based couplants that do not
contain rust inhibitors. In these cases anti-freeze liquids with inhibitors are often used.
Eddy Current Testing

Uses electromagnetism principle for flaw detection in conductive materials. A specially designed coil
energized with an alternating-current is placed in proximity to the test surface, generating a changing
magnetic field that interacts with the test-part and produces eddy currents in the vicinity.

Variations in the changing phases and magnitude of these eddy currents are then monitored through
the use of a receiver-coil or by measuring changes to the alternate current flowing in the primary
excitation-coil.

The electrical conductivity variations, the magnetic permeability of the test-part, or the presence of
any discontinuities, will cause a change in the eddy current and a corresponding change in phases and
amplitude of the measured current. The changes are shown on a screen and are interpreted to identify
defects.
 In order to generate eddy currents for an When a flaw is introduced to the conductive
inspection, a "probe" is used. Inside the probe material, the eddy currents are disrupted.
is a length of electrical conductor material
which is formed into a coil.

Eddy currents flowing in the material will

generate their own "secondary" magnetic
field which will oppose the coil's "primary"
Alternating current is allowed to flow in the magnetic field.
coil at a frequency chosen by the technician This entire electromagnetic induction process
for the type of test involved. to produce eddy currents may occur from
several hundred to several million times each
second depending upon inspection frequency.

A dynamic expanding and collapsing When an electrically conductive material is

magnetic field forms in and around the coil placed in the coil's dynamic magnetic field,
as the alternating current flows through the electromagnetic induction will occur and
coil. eddy currents will be induced in the material.

https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/EddyCurrents/Introduction/IntroductiontoET.htm
 Application

Inspection of parts Welded joints

or components
including: Bores of in-service tubes and bolt holes
Metal tubes
Friction stir welds
Cast iron bridges etc.

Detection of Surface-breaking defects

defects including:
Linear defects (as small as 0.5mm deep and 5mm long)
Cracks
Lack of fusion
Corrosion (particularly in the aircraft industry for the examination of aircraft skins)
 • Able to detect surface and near-surface cracks as small as 0.5mm.
• Able to detect defects through several layers, including non-conductive surface coatings, without
interference from planar defects.
• Non-contact method making it possible to inspect high-temperature surfaces and underwater surfaces.
• Effective on test objects with physically complex geometries.
Advantages • Provides immediate feedback.

• Can only be used on conductive materials.

• The depth of penetration is variable.
• Very susceptible to magnetic permeability changes – making testing of welds in ferromagnetic
materials difficult – but with modern digital flaw detectors and probe design, not impossible.
Disadvantages • Unable to detect defects that are parallel to the test object’s surface.
Radiographic Testing

It is based on the principle that radiation is absorbed and scattered as it passes through an object. If
there are variations in thickness or density (e.g. due to defects) in an object, more or less radiation
passes through and affects the film exposure.

Industrial radiography uses two sources of penetrating radiation:

> X-ray sets, of varying power, that run from an electric mains or on-site generators
> Radioactive isotopes, carried in shielding containers, which do not need a supply of electricity

With training, an inspector can tell, from the shape of the dark areas on the film, what and where the
flaws are. If the flaw in the object makes little difference to the through thickness of the object, it is
unlikely to show on the radiograph. A lamination can, therefore, be difficult to detect by radiography.
Cracks parallel to the beam, porosity, slag inclusions and root defects show very well.
Working The part is placed between radiation source and a piece
of film
The part will stop some radiation

Thicker and more dense area will stop more radiation

Types of Cracks
Faults Porosity
Indicated
Inclusions
Lack of fusion
Incomplete penetration

Source: https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-what-are-the-principles-of-radiography-in-non-destructive-examination-nde#:~:text=It%
0affects%20the%20film%20exposure.
X-ray Radiography

Applications Air craft structures

Structural steel works
Ship building
Pressure vessels and boilers
Penstocks, etc.

Gamma-Ray Radiography

Applications Pipe work

Penstocks
Pressure vessels and boilers
Structural steel works
Ship building
 • Provides permanent record on film.
• Technique standardized.
• Reference standards available.
• Adjustable energy level gives high sensitivity.
Advantages • Fluoroscopy techniques available.

• Trained technician needed.

• Radiation hazards.
• High cost of equipment.
Disadvantages • Power source needed.
References:

• https://www.slideshare.net/hareeshkodanghat/introduction-to-ndt-and-visual-inspection
• https://www.bindt.org/What-is-NDT/Magnetic-particle-inspection-MPI/

• https://inspectioneering.com/tag/magnetic+particle+inspection
• https://www.bindt.org/What-is-NDT/Liquid-penetrant-inspection/#:~:text=The%20principle%20of%20liquid%20penetrant,and%20produce%20a%20surfac
e%20indication.

• http://www.ircengg.com/liquid-penetrant-testing/
• http://www.wermac.org/others/ndt_ut.html#:~:text=In%20industrial%20applications%2C%20ultrasonic%20testing,are%20wood%20and%20paper%20prod
ucts.

• https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/job-knowledge/eddy-current-testing-123
• https://eis.hu.edu.jo/ACUploads/10526/Radiographic%20Testing.pdf