How do industries check the quality of their materials or components? They use NDT methods or non-destructive methods of materials testing to ensure their products are top-quality and safe to use. They select the test-type that suits their industry and participate in NDT equipment sales to buy the supplies their trained technicians need to conduct the tests. Here, we take a closer look at NDT methods and NDT Equipment Sales.
What is NDT Equipment Sales?
A wide-range of testing methods that are suitable to industry conditions are deployed to know the characteristics of a material and its defects. Most times, non-destructive methods are used to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a technique that allows inspectors to evaluate and collect data about a material, system, or component without permanently altering it. NDT combines the application of science to create a comprehensive process that can be used for inspecting, examining, and testing of materials or components to find flaws, defects, or discontinuities
What are NDT methods?
The need for testing materials without destroying them or rendering them useless for practice is Non-destructive testing (NDT). It emerged as a technique for inspectors to examine properties of a material, component, structure, or system without damaging them. The most popular NDT methods are: Visual inspection, a method that is cost-effective, portable, and doesn’t require much preparation. Another commonly used NDT method across industries is radiography. A highly versatile, reproducible test, it is used on a variety of materials. Penetrant testing is simple, fast, and low cost. It can detect small and shallow defects in non-porous or coated materials.
Some more examples of NDT methods are:
- Visual inspection: Technicians use tools like magnifying glasses, remote cameras, and drones to visually inspect assets for defects, damage, cracks, corrosion, and other problems.
- Radiography: This image-based method is used to investigate the inner structure of components and materials.
- Penetrant testing: This method involves applying a liquid penetrant that seeps into cracks or pores, and then removing the excess penetrant and applying a developer that makes the defects visible.
- Electromagnetic testing: This family of NDT techniques monitors the electromagnetic response of a test object by applying electric currents and/or magnetic fields inside the object.
- Magnetic flux leakage: This method involves magnetizing a ferrous metal object to saturation level, using a powerful magnetic field.
- Infrared testing: This method is used to show temperature changes that can be indications of defects such as corrosion in a bridge structure.
These NDT methods continue to evolve and offer the best level of material testing options. But the effectiveness of these tests can be achieved only if there are trained professionals to handle the tests.
NDT methods training
Most organizations encourage employees being trained in NDT Methods as it ensures that material testing is easily managed by in-house professionals. A number of training courses cover eddy current testing, visual testing, penetrant testing, radiation safety and ultrasonic testing.
The training covers techniques that can be used without damaging a product or its parts. The NDT professionals perform a wide range of activities like – conducting tests, interpreting results, and making critical decisions about materials. They determine the safety and reliability of materials and structures, thereby ensuring consistent production or processing of parts.
Employees training can be concluded with certification courses. To become certified in NDT Level 1 or 2, the to-be trainees need to pass both a general and a specific written examination. The need for a two-level examination, especially a practical examination, is to establish that the candidate is familiar with the NDT equipment in use.
Conclusion
The number of testing numbers continues to increase with new-age options like ultrasonic testing and vibration analysis. NDT equipment sales encourage the use of evolved tests such as robotic arms, artificial intelligence, internet-of-things and other NDT equipment. As material sciences advances, and newer generations of biodegradable material, fast-setting cement for concrete are being made, there is a definite shift in the type and quality of NDT methods.