Advanced Ultrasonic Testing Methods and Applications

Quality and NDT Solutions, LLC (QNS) delivers quick and affordable support, services and solutions to multiple industries, including Aerospace, Petrochemical, Power Generation.   QNS provides a variety of Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation (NDT/NDE) services, including Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and Advanced Ultrasonic testing, training and support.

Advances in technology have led to extremely reliable advanced ultrasonic methods and techniques.  While the equipment is quite expensive and advanced training is required, it brings along a high degree of automation and probability of defect detection.

Phased Array ultrasonic testing (PAUT)

Ultrasonic phased array systems can be used most anywhere conventional ultrasonic flaw detectors are used. Improved crack and corrosion detection, as well as more reliable weld inspection are examples of applications for this advanced technology.

Phased array ultrasonic testing systems utilize a probe array and the acoustic beam can be steered and manipulated to enhance signals from the test.  Phased arrays reduce inspection times because of less mechanical scanning is required.  Array probes allow for electronic scanning, which is accomplished by firing successive groups of elements in the array. Less mechanical scanning also increases the reliability of the test.  PAUT systems are somewhat higher cost and more operator training is required.  Higher costs are often offset by improved inspection speeds.

IRIS

The internal rotary inspection system (IRIS) is an ultrasonic testing used to inspect pipes and tubes.

IRIS uses water as a couplant. Tubes being tested are flooded with water.   IRIS uses a transducer to send an ultrasonic signal parallel to the axis of the tube.  A rotating mirror sends the UT signal into the tube wall. The mirror is rotated to send a 360 deg signal through the tube wall.

IRIS is commonly used in boilers, shell-and-tube heat exchangers, and fin-fan heat exchanger tubes.

IRIS works on both ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials.  Tube areas under support structures can be inspected with no loss in sensitivity.  It is a good method to evaluate complicated signals found during Remote Field Eddy Current Testing and provide good wall thickness measurement sensitivity.