RL Blogs
By John Reynolds of Inspectioneering.com
Feb 08, 2015Summary of some advanced NDE technology in use or being developed for industry. |
The development of advanced Nondestructive Examination (NDE) techniques and tools are some of the reasons the inspection trade has taken significant steps forward in the last couple decades - the advancements appear to also be accelerating.
On one end of the advanced NDE spectrum are techniques & tools that are in widespread use and generally available. On the other end of that spectrum, others are still being developed or showing some promise, but have seen very little use so far.
Some will only detect damage, while others can characterize the damage and size it. Some are screening techniques for finding areas of possible damage and “roughly sizing” it, while others can provide highly accurate data detailing the extent of damage.
Some advanced NDE techniques combine an assembly of probes using multiple sensors/transducers. Most of the widely used, standard NDE techniques are not in this list of advanced techniques (e.g. PT, MT, EC, RT, etc.). Some of these techniques have been available for decades, while others are still being developed. A few of them include:
When you have an unusual or difficult inspection issue that may require advanced NDE techniques, the services of a qualified NDE SME are highly advisable and generally cost effective. Many of these more advanced NDE techniques are not readily understood by plant engineers and inspectors whose primary inspection and FEMI duties are much broader-based than just advanced NDE.
NDE SMEs can help determine which techniques to use, when to use multiple techniques, what the real advantages and limitations of each technique are, which NDE service companies and technicians are best qualified to do the work, which NDE service companies have the best equipment, and if the NDE procedures that are offered are applicable or appropriate for the specialized NDE work.
Are you making cost effective use of advanced NDE to solve difficult or unusual inspection problems that otherwise might result in equipment failure and a process safety incident? |
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