Enspec provides a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) service as part of its diagnostic approach to establishing the condition of a particular component, vessel, etc.
NDT is traditionally employed during construction of new plant and equipment to ensure conformity with the relevant construction code or specification. In this case, the service would normally be provided by an NDT sub-contractor working on behalf of the fabricator.
Enspec regularly utilises a number of non-destructive test methods for the following situations.
- Cross-checking the findings of an NDT sub-contractor where their interpretation of the results may be in question.
- Plant condition surveys.
- Statutory inspections of boilers, deaerators, vessels etc.
- Failure investigations.
- Ultrasonics:
Suitable for the determination of section thickness and the evaluation of both surface-breaking and sub-surface linear and volumetric defects in weldments and other components. The technique is often used for the detection of corrosion attack inside vessels, tanks, and pipework. - Radiography (X-Ray and Gamma):
Suitable for the evaluation of volumetric defects such as voids, incomplete penetration and cracking in weldments, castings, forgings etc. - Liquid Penetrants:
Utilised for the detection of linear surface-breaking defects such as cracking, incomplete fusion etc. in non-magnetic materials (austenitic steels, aluminium alloys, nickel alloys, non-metallics etc). - Magnetic Particle:
The magnetic particle test method is utilised for the detection of linear surface-breaking defects such as cracking and incomplete fusion in ferromagnetic materials only (carbon/alloy steels). It is widely used for testing welds in all configurations. - Eddy-Current:
The eddy-current technique works on the principle of electromagnetic-induction which means that it does not require direct electrical contact with the component under test. The technique is widely used in the aerospace industry for checking airframe components for signs of cracking. It can also be used for checking tubular non-ferrous components for cracking in the heat-affected zone area of a weld.