Section 5

Non Destructive Testing

A welding inspector should have a working
knowledge of NDT methods and their applications,
advantages and disadvantages.

Four basic NDT methods

• Radiographic inspection (RT)

• Ultrasonic inspection (UT)

• Magnetic particle inspection (MT)

• Dye penetrant inspection (PT)

 Non-Destructive Testing
Surface Crack Detection
• Liquid Penetrant (PT or Dye-Penetrant)
• Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT or MPI)

Volumetric & Planar Inspection

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
• Radiography Testing(RT)
Each technique has advantages & disadvantages with respect
to:
• Technical Capability and Cost
Note: The choice of NDT techniques is based on consideration
of these advantages and disadvantages
 Gamma Rays
X – Rays Generated by the decay
Electrically generated of unstable atoms
The principles of radiography
• X or Gamma radiation is imposed upon a test object
• Radiation is transmitted to varying degrees
dependant upon the density of the material through
which it is travelling
• Thinner areas and materials of a less density show as
darker areas on the radiograph
• Thicker areas and materials of a greater density show
as lighter areas on a radiograph
• Applicable to metals,non-metals and composites
 Source

Radiation beam Image quality indicator

Test specimen

Radiographic film with latent image after exposure

 Densitometer

Density - relates to the degree of darkness

Contrast - relates to the degree of difference
Definition - relates to the degree of sharpness
Sensitivity - relates to the overall quality of the radiograph
7FE12

Step / Hole type IQI Wire type IQI

Step/Hole Type IQI

Wire Type IQI

Single Wall Single Image (SWSI)
• film inside, source outside

Single Wall Single Image (SWSI) panoramic

• film outside, source inside (internal exposure)

Double Wall Single Image (DWSI)

• film outside, source outside (external exposure)

Double Wall Double Image (DWDI)

• film outside, source outside (elliptical exposure)
 • film inside, source outside

Film

Film

IQI’s should be placed source side

 • film outside, source inside (internal exposure)

Film

• IQI’s are placed on the film side

• Source inside film outside (single exposure)
 film outside, source outside (external exposure)

Film
• IQI’s are placed on the film side
• Source outside film outside (multiple exposure)
• This technique is intended for pipe diameters
over 100mm
• Identification

• Unique identification
EN W10

• IQI placing

• Pitch marks indicating A B

readable film length
ID MR11

Radiograph
 • film outside, source outside (elliptical exposure)

Film
• IQI’s are placed on the source or film side
• Source outside film outside (multiple exposure)
• A minimum of two exposures
• This technique is intended for pipe diameters less than 100mm
4 3

1 2

Elliptical Radiograph
 Radiography
PENETRATING POWER
Question:
What determines the penetrating power of an X-ray ?
•the kilo-voltage applied (between anode & cathode)

Question:
What determines the penetrating power of a gamma
ray ?
•the type of isotope (the wavelength of the gamma
rays)
 Radiography
Gamma Sources
Isotope Thickness Energy
Range
Thulium 90 upto 7 mm 90 KeV
Ytterbium 169 upto 12 mm 120 KeV
Iridium 192 10 to 75 mm 500 Kev

Cobalt 60 40~150 mm 1.2 MeV

 Disadvantages
Advantages • Expensive consumables

• Permanent record • Bulky equipment

• Harmful radiation
• Little surface
• Defect require significant
preparation depth in relation to the
radiation beam (not good
• Defect identification for planar defects)
• Slow results
• No material type
limitation • Very little indication of
depths
• Thin materials • Access to both sides
required
 Radiographic Testing
Comparison with Ultrasonic Examination
ADVANTAGES
good for non-planar defects
good for thin sections
gives permanent record
easier for 2nd party interpretation
can use on all material types
high productivity
direct image of imperfections
DISADVANTAGES
health & safety hazard
not good for thick sections
high capital and relatively high
running costs
not good for planar defects
X-ray sets not very portable
requires access to both sides of
weld
frequent replacement of gamma
source needed (half life)
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Pulse echo Digital
signals UT Set,
A scan
Display

Compression probe checking the material Thickness

Main Features:
• Surface and sub-surface detection
• This detection method uses high frequency sound waves,
typically above 2MHz to pass through a material
• A probe is used which contains a piezo electric crystal to
transmit and receive ultrasonic pulses and display the
signals on a cathode ray tube or digital display
• The actual display relates to the time taken for the
ultrasonic pulses to travel the distance to the interface and
back
• An interface could be the back of a plate material or a defect
• For ultrasound to enter a material a couplant must be
introduced between the probe and specimen
 defect Back wall
initial pulse echo echo

Material Thk
defect

0 10 20 30 40 50

Compression Probe CRT Display

 initial pulse

defect echo
defect 0 10 20 30 40 50

½ Skip CRT Display

initial pulse

defect echo
defect 0 10 20 30 40 50

Full Skip CRT Display

Advantages
 Rapid results Disadvantages
 Both surface and  Trained and skilled operator
required
sub-surface detection
 Requires high operator skill
 Safe operation
 Good surface finish required
 Capable of measuring the
depth of defects  Couplant may contaminate
  No permanent record
Defect identification
 Calibration Required
 May be battery powered
 Ferritic Material (Mostly)
 Portable
 Ultrasonic Testing
Comparison with Radiography
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
good for planar defects no permanent record

good for thick sections not suitable for very thin joints <8mm

instant results reliant on operator interpretation

can use on complex joints not good for sizing Porosity

can automate good/smooth surface profile needed

very portable not suitable for coarse grain materials

(e.g., castings)
no safety problems Ferritic Materials (with standard
equipment)
low capital & running costs
Magnetic Particle testing (MT)
Collection of
ink particles
due to
leakage field

Electro-magnet (yoke) DC
or AC
Prods DC or AC
Main features:
 Surface and slight sub-surface detection
 Relies on magnetization of component being tested
 Only Ferro-magnetic materials can be tested
 A magnetic field is introduced into a specimen
being tested
 Methods of applying a magnetic field, yoke,
permanent magnet, prods and flexible cables.
 Fine particles of iron powder are applied to the test
area
 Any defect which interrupts the magnetic field, will
create a leakage field, which attracts the particles
 Any defect will show up as either a dark indication
or in the case of fluorescent particles under UV-A
light a green/yellow indication
 Method

Contrast paint Magnet & Ink Result*

A crack like
indication
Alternatively to contrast inks, fluorescent inks may be used
for greater sensitivity. These inks require a UV-A light source
and a darkened viewing area to inspect the component
Typical sequence of operations to inspect a weld
• Clean area to be tested
• Apply contrast paint
• Apply magnetisism to the component
• Apply ferro-magnetic ink to the component during
magnatising
• Iterpret the test area
• Post clean and de-magnatise if required
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Simple to use
• Surface or slight sub-
• Inexpensive surface detection only

• Rapid results • Magnetic materials only

• No indication of defects
• Little surface depths
preparation
required • Only suitable for linear
defects
• Possible to inspect • Detection is required in
through thin two directions
coatings
 Magnetic Particle Testing
Comparison with Penetrant Testing
ADVANTAGES
• much quicker than PT
• instant results
• can detect near-surface imperfections (by current flow
technique)
• less surface preparation needed
DISADVANTAGES
• only suitable for ferromagnetic materials
• electrical power for most techniques
• may need to de-magnetise (machine components)
Penetrant Testing (PT)
Main features:
 Detection of surface breaking defects only.
 This test method uses the forces of capillary action
 Applicable on any material type, as long they are
non porous.
 Penetrants are available in many different types:
• Water washable contrast
• Solvent removable contrast
• Water washable fluorescent
• Solvent removable fluorescent
• Post-emulsifiable fluorescent
Step 1. Pre-Cleaning
Ensure surface is very Clean normally with the use
of a solvent
Step 2. Apply penetrant
After the application, the penetrant is normally
left on the components surface for
approximately 15-20 minutes (dwell time).
The penetrant enters any defects that may be
present by capillary action.
Step 3. Clean off penetrant
the penetrant is removed after sufficient penetration
time (dwell time).
Care must be taken not to wash any penetrant out
off any defects present
Step 3. Apply developer
After the penetrant has be cleaned sufficiently, a thin layer of
developer is applied.
The developer acts as a contrast against the penetrant and
allows for reverse capillary action to take place.
Step 4. Inspection / development time
Inspection should take place immediately after the developer
has been applied.
any defects present will show as a bleed out during
development time.
After full inspection has been carried out post cleaning is
generally required.
Fluorescent Penetrant Bleed out viewed
under a UV-A light
source

Bleed out viewed

under white light
Colour contrast Penetrant
Advantages Disadvantages
 Surface breaking defect
 Simple to use only
 Inexpensive  little indication of depths
 Penetrant may
 Quick results
contaminate component
 Can be used on any  Surface preparation
non-porous material critical
 Post cleaning required
 Portability
 Potentially hazardous
 Low operator skill chemicals
required  Can not test unlimited
times
 Temperature dependant
 Penetrant Testing
Comparison with Magnetic Particle Inspection
ADVANTAGES
•easy to interpret results
•no power requirements
•relatively little training required
•can use on all materials
DISADVANTAGES
•good surface finish needed
•relatively slow
•chemicals - health & safety issue