Non-destructive testing (ndt)

The dye penetrant inspection method is focused primarily on non-ferrous materials for detecting surface-breaking indications. A DPI test can be applied to castings, forgings, and welds. 

Magnetic particle inspection is another inspection method for detecting surface breaking indications. This method is for ferrous materials like carbon steel and low alloy steel. Like penetrant inspection, magnetic particle inspection can be applied to castings, forgings, and welds.

Visual inspection is one of the most used methods of non-destructive testing, using the naked eye. Visual inspection can also be complimented using other optical aids, such as welding gauges, borescopes, magnifiers, artificial lighting and many more, to help identify any flaws in welding, machining or any other service defects.

Ultrasonic testing is a volumetric inspection method that can be used to determine the thickness or to test the internals of a known material. It can be carried out on castings, and forgings as well as ultrasonic testing of welds. It is often used in addition to either dye penetrant, or magnetic particle inspection. 

Ultrasonic testing of austenitic stainless steel is like standard ultrasonic inspection. However, due to the complexities in the grain structure of austenitic stainless steel, the sound travels through the material in a different and less predictable fashion. In carbon steel, sound travels in straight lines, but in austenitic materials, the sound tends to "bend", making the interpretation and defect positioning more complicated. Ultrasonic testing of austenitic materials requires specialised and approved training and the use of specialised probes. If you have austenitic materials that need ultrasonic inspection, get in touch today.