NDE Types

NDE Type Equipment Applications Advantages Limitations

Needs

NDE Type : Eddy Current (1)

Eddy An instrument Weld Relatively Limited to

Current capable of discontinuities expedient, conductive
inducing g open to the low cost. materials.
electromagnetic surface (i.e., Automation Shallow depth of
fields within a cracks, porosity, possible for penetration.
test piece and fusion) as well as symmetrical Some indications
sensing the some subsurface parts. No may e masked
resulting inclusions. Alloy Couplant by part geometry
electrical content, heat required. due to sensitivity
currents (eddy) treatment Probe does variations.
so induced with variations, wall not have to Reference
a suitable probe thickness. be in standard
or detector. intimate required.
Calibration contact with
standards. test piece.

NDE Type : Liquid Penetrant (1)

Liquid Fluorescent or Weld May be used Surface films

Penetrant dye penetrants, discontinuities on all non- such as coatings,
developers, open to surface, porous scale, smeared
cleaners i.e., cracks, material. metal mask or
(solvents, porosity, seams. Portable, hide reject able
emulsifiers, relatively defects. Bleed
etc.). Suitable inexpensive out from porous
cleaning gear. equipment. surfaces can also
Ultraviolet light Expedient mask indications.
source if inspection Parts must be
fluorescent dye results. cleaned before
is used. Results are and after
easily inspection.
interpreted.
Requires no
electrical
energy
except for
light source.
Indications
may be
further
examined
visually.

NDE Type : Magnetic Particle (1)

Magnetic Prods, yokes, Most weld Relatively Must be applied

Particle coils suitable for discontinuities economical to ferro-magnetic
inducing open to the and materials. Parts
magnetism into surface-some expedient. must be clean
the test piece. large voids Inspection before and after
Power source slightly equipment is inspection. Thick
(electrical). subsurface. Most considered coatings may
Magnetic suitable for portable. mask reject able
powders, some detecting cracks. Unlike dye indications.
applications penetrants, Some
require special magnetic applications
facilities and particle can require parts to
ultraviolet detect some be demagnetized
lights. near surface after inspection.
 discontinuitie Magnetic particle
s. inspection
requires use of
electrical energy
for most
applications.

NDE Type : Radiography (Gamma) (1)

Radiograph Gamma ray Most weld Permanent Radiation is a

y (Gamma) sources, discontinuities record- safety hazard
gamma ray including cracks, enables requires special
camera porosity, lack of review by facilities or areas
projectors, film fusion, incomplete parties at a where radiation
holders, films, penetration, slag, later date. will be used and
lead screens, as well as Gamma requires special
film processing corrosion and fit- sources may monitoring of
equipment, film up defects, wall be exposure levels
viewers, thickness, positioned and dosages to
exposure dimensional inside of personnel.
facilities, evaluation. accessible Sources
radiation objects, i.e., (gamma) decay
monitoring pipes, etc., over their half-
equipment. for unusual lives and must
technique be periodically
radiographs. replaced.
Energy Gamma sources
efficient have a constant
source energy of output
requires no (wavelength) and
electrical cannot be
energy for adjusted.
production of Gamma source
gamma rays. and related
licensing
requirements are
expensive.
Radiography
requires highly
skilled operating
and interpretive
personnel.

NDE Type : Radiography (X-Rays) (1)

Radiograph X-ray sources Same applications Adjustable High initial cost

y (X-Rays) (machines), as above. energy of x-ray
electrical power levels, equipment. Not
source, same generally generally
general produces considered
equipment as higher portable,
used with quality radiation hazard
gamma sources radiographs as with gamma
(above). than gamma sources, skilled
sources. operational and
Offers interpretive
permanent personnel
record as required.
with gamma
(above).

NDE Type : Ultrasonic (1)

Ultrasonic Pulse-echo Most weld Most Surface

instrument discontinuities sensitive to conditions must
capable of including crack, planar type be suitable for
exciting a slag, lack of defects. Test coupling of
 piezoelectric fusion, lack of results transducer.
matl and bond, thickness. known Couplant (liquid)
generating Poissons ratio immediately. required. Small,
ultrasonic may be obtained Portable. think welds may
energy within a by determining Most be difficult to
test piece, and the modulus of ultrasonic inspect.
a suitable elasticity. flaw Reference
cathode ray detectors do standards are
tube scope not require required.
capable of an electric Requires a
displaying the power outlet. relatively skilled
magnitudes of High operator/inspect
received sound penetration or.
energy. capability.
Calibration
standards,
liquid couplant.

NDE Type : Visual (1)

Visual Magnifiers, Welds which have Economical, Limited to

color defects on the expedient, external or
enhancement, surface. requires surface
projectors, relatively conditions only.
other little training Limited to visual
measurement and acuity of the
equipment, i.e. relatively observer/inspect
rulers, little or
micrometers, equipment
optical for many
comparators, applications
light source