Non-destructive testing equipment is so important in manufacturing, civil, aerospace, naval and engineering industries. The NDT process involves testing structural and feature components for integrity, continuity and compliance with safety regulations. NDT Australia supplies these industries with NDT equipment to ensure that jobs are completed safely, vehicles are in proper working order and that parts are stable. In this article we outline how to choose the right NDT equipment for your industry. We discuss non-destructive testing techniques, factors to consider when choosing NDT equipment, the importance of adaptability and training and regulation and safety.
Non-Destructive Testing Techniques
There are five primary types of non-destructive testing used in the industries mentioned above: ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing, and eddy current testing.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic testing involves reflecting vibrations through a component and off a soundboard located behind it. The method does not require disassembly of the test object and gives a visual readout of the structural integrity of the test object.
Radiographic Testing
The radiographic testing process makes use of radioactive light: gamma and X-rays to test the integrity of a test object. It works in a similar way to ultrasonic testing, but uses light waves with a higher frequency than sound waves used there to inspect the object.
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Liquid penetrant testing is used to evaluate the exterior of a component. The test object is dipped in very fine liquid material which, when the object is removed, gives an indication of the structural integrity of the item.
Eddy Current Testing
Eddy current testing uses an electric current to identify discontinuities in ferrous materials. A current is run through the test object and a readout of the current’s consistency indicates if there is a defect present.
Factors to Consider When Choosing NDT Equipment
NDT equipment does cost money and so it’s worth considering how long you may need the equipment for and what task you need to perform. It’s also worth checking your supplier’s marketing channel for reviews to make sure you choose the right company.
Your choice of non-destructive testing equipment will also be decided to a large degree by the type of test object you need to validate. If you require inspection of internal civil and engineering structures, ultrasonic or radiographic testing is most-useful for peering inside infrastructure or buildings. Liquid penetrant testing is most-useful for detecting flaws in the exterior of naval ships or aircraft. It can also be used to test the consistency of a product produced by a mould to ensure the batch is done right. Eddy current testing is useful for detecting structural flaws in the surface of test objects – when they’re ferrous: they can conduct a current.
The Importance of Adaptability
One of the main benefits of NDT equipment is its ability to test a wide variety of test objects without damaging them. The flexibility of NDT solutions allows manufacturing workers, engineers and civil employees to inspect a wide range of items for flaws using the same tool. The dynamic nature of NDT equipment still requires consideration of the purpose of the testing, however, once the equipment has been purchased all that remains is to undergo training to ensure you know how to test a wide selection of test objects.
Training
NDT equipment is sensitive and if flaws are missed it can have drastic implications for the safety of operators and nearby people. To ensure NDT equipment is used properly for the task it was designated, proper training and certification needs to be undertaken to ensure that operators know exactly what they are doing.
Regulatory Compliance
Australian quality standards exist to guarantee that civil infrastructure, buildings, boats, airplanes and manufacturing equipment are built to a high standard. Using non-destructive testing equipment makes this easy for employers because it affords them the data they need to demonstrate they are compliant with safety regulations.
At its essence, NDT equipment fulfills a wide variety of tasks and is used to test a range of different shapes. When buying NDT equipment, be sure you understand precisely what you need to test and how the equipment works. Enroll in a training course to make sure you don’t risk safety hazards and ensure you are compliant with all laws regarding safety standards in your manufacturing, civil, naval, aerospace and engineering industry.
Buy Non-Destructive Testing Equipment
NDT Australia can supply advanced non-destructive testing equipment no matter where you are in Australia. Contact us via our contact form or on (02) 9524 0558 to make an enquiry about any of the NDT equipment we have listed on our website. We are available from 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.
