Department of Chemical & Polymer Engineering

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore (FSD Campus)

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 Nondestructive testing
(NDT) use test methods to
examine an object, material
or system without
impairing its future
usefulness.
 Non-destructive testing is
often required to verify the
quality of a product or a
system.
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1. AET - Acoustic Emission Testing
2. ART - Acoustic Resonance Testing
3. ET - Electromagnetic Testing
4. IRT - Infrared Testing
5. LT - Leak Testing
6. MT - Magnetic Particle Testing
7. PT - Dye Penetrant Testing
8. RT - Radiographic Testing
9. UT - Ultrasonic Testing
10. VT - Visual Testing (VI - Visual Inspection)
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1. Visual Testing (Visual Inspection)
2. Dye Liquid Penetrant
3. Magnetic Particle Testing
4. Ultrasonic Testing
5. Eddy Current
6. Radiographic Testing

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 Most basic and common inspection method.
 Visual Inspection, used in maintenance of
facilities, mean inspection of equipment and
structures using either or all of raw human
senses such as vision, hearing, touch and
smell and/or any non-specialized inspection
equipment.

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 Visual testing or inspection offers a wide
range of options to secure proper system or
product quality.
 Portable video inspection unit with zoom
allows inspection of large tanks and vessels,
sewer lines.

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 Robotic crawlers permit observation
in hazardous or tight areas, such as
air ducts, reactors, pipelines.
 Most discontinuities that are surface
breaking or result in the deformation
at the surface i.e.
1. Cracks
2. Holes
3. Corrosion

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 Dye Penetrant Inspection
(DPI) also called as Liquid
Penetrant Inspection (LPI) or
Penetrant Test ( PT) is fast,
economical and widely used
non destructive test method
to detect surface-breaking
discontinuities in all non-
porous materials (metals,
plastics, or ceramics).
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 DPI is based upon capillary action, where low
surface tension fluid penetrates into clean
and dry surface-breaking discontinuities.
 Penetrant may be applied to the test
component by dipping, spraying, or brushing.
 After adequate penetration time has been
allowed, the excess penetrant is removed, a
developer is applied.

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 The developer helps to draw
penetrant out of the flaw
where an invisible indication
becomes visible to the
inspector.
 Inspection is performed under
ultraviolet or white light,
depending upon the type of
dye used - fluorescent or
nonfluorescent (visible). 10
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 Magnetic Particle Inspection
(MPI) also sometimes called as
Magnetic Test (MT) is a non-
destructive test method for
the detection of surface and
sub-surface discontinuities in
ferrous materials such as iron,
nickel, cobalt, and some of
their alloys.
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 The process puts a magnetic field into the
part. The piece can be magnetized by direct
or indirect magnetization.
 Direct magnetization occurs when the
electric current is passed through the test
object and a magnetic field is formed in the
material.

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 Indirect magnetization occurs when no
electric current is passed through the test
object, but a magnetic field is applied from an
outside source.

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 The magnetic lines of force run from one pole
to the other, and the poles are positioned
such that any flaws present run normal to
these lines of force.

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 The presence of a surface or subsurface
discontinuity in the material allows the
magnetic flux to leak.
 Ferrous iron particles are then applied to the
part.

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 If an area of flux leakage is present the
particles will be attracted to this area. The
particles will build up at the area of leakage
and form what is known as an indication.

 The indication can then be evaluated to

determine what it is, what may have caused
it, and what action should be taken, if any.

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 Radiography can be used to obtain
permanent image of surface and sub-surface
(embedded) discontinuities.
 The same discontinuities can be
radiographed again after a period of service
life and the radiographs can be compared to
measure the change in the size and shape of
the discontinuity.
 The part is placed between the radiation
source and a piece of film. The part will stop
some of the radiation.
 Thicker and more dense area will stop more
of the radiation. The film darkness (density)
will vary with the amount of radiation
reaching the film through the test object.
These differences in "absorption" can be
recorded on film, or electronically.
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 The energy of the radiation affects its
penetrating power. Higher energy radiation
can penetrate thicker and denser materials.

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 Eddy-current test uses electromagnetic
induction to detect flaws in conductive
materials.

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 The eddy current test set-up consists of a
circular coil which is placed on the test
surface.

 The alternating current in the coil generates

changing magnetic field which interacts with
the conductive test surface and generates
eddy current.

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 The flow of eddy current can
be disrupted due to change in
resistivity or conductivity,
magnetic permeability, any
physical discontinuities.
 The change in eddy current
flow and a corresponding
change in the phase and
amplitude is measured
against known values.
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High frequency sound waves are introduced into a material
and they are reflected back from surfaces or flaws.
Reflected sound energy is displayed versus time, andf
inspector can visualize a cross section of the specimen
showing the depth of features that reflect sound.
initial
pulse

back surface
echo
crack
echo

crack
plate
0 2 4 6 8 10
Oscilloscope, or
flaw detector
 Inspection of Raw Products
 Inspection Following Secondary Processing
 In-Services Damage Inspection

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 Forgings,
 Castings,
 Extrusions,
 etc.
 Machining
 Welding
 Grinding
 Heat treating
 Plating
 etc.
 Cracking
 Corrosion
 Erosion/Wear
 Heat Damage
 etc.
Electromagnetic devices and
visual inspections are used to
find broken wires and other
damage to the wire rope that
is used in chairlifts, cranes and
other lifting devices.
Robotic crawlers use
ultrasound to inspect
the walls of large
above ground tanks
for signs of thinning
due to corrosion.

Cameras on
long
articulating
arms are used
to inspect
underground
storage tanks
for damage.
• Nondestructive testing is used
extensively during the
manufacturing of aircraft.
• NDT is also used to find cracks
and corrosion damage during
operation of the aircraft.
• A fatigue crack that started at the
site of a lightning strike is shown
below.
• Aircraft engines are overhauled after
being in service for a period of time.
• They are completely disassembled,
cleaned, inspected and then
reassembled.
• Fluorescent penetrant inspection is
used to check many of the parts for
cracking.
The failure of a pressure vessel
can result in the rapid release of a
large amount of energy. To protect
against this dangerous event, the
tanks are inspected using
radiography and ultrasonic testing.
Special cars are used to
inspect thousands of miles of
rail to find cracks that could
lead to a derailment.
• The US has 578,000
highway bridges.
• Corrosion, cracking and
other damage can all affect
a bridge’s performance.
• The collapse of the Silver
Bridge in 1967 resulted in
loss of 47 lives.
• Bridges get a visual
inspection about every 2
years.
• Some bridges are fitted with
acoustic emission sensors
that “listen” for sounds of
cracks growing.
NDT is used to inspect pipelines to
prevent leaks that could damage the
environment. Visual inspection,
radiography and electromagnetic
testing are some of the NDT
methods used.

Remote visual inspection

using a robotic crawler.

Magnetic flux leakage inspection.

This device, known as a pig, is
placed in the pipeline and collects
data on the condition of the pipe as
it is pushed along by whatever is
being transported. Radiography of weld joints.
Eddy current methods were used to measure the electrical conductivity
of the Bell's bronze casing at various points to evaluate its uniformity.
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