Below are questions we get from all sorts of folks...even those that have been in the industry for quite some time. Take a look at the list and just click on it to go to the asnwer. If other things puzzle you about NDT that we haven't addressed, please give us a call at 713-849- .
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All sorts of industries use this type of inspection to help insure that processes run smoothly and safely and products are manufactured with a high degree of integrity. Some of the industries that profit from NDT are the Oil and Gas Industry, Power Generation, Aviation and Aeronautics, the Auto Industry including Racing, Maratime Construction, all branches of the Military and Construction of all types.
Nondestructive testing is one of the best kept secrets around. Seems almost no one knows what it is, yet almost everyone is impacted one way or another by NDT.
NDT stands for Non Destructive Testing and there is no real difference between NDT, NDE (nondestructive evaluation) or NDI (nondestructive inspection), the latter two being a choice of preference among members of different industries. All refer to the same category of quality control test procedures that examines the integrity (or lack, thereof) of materials, components or systems without causing damage to them.
At NDT Training Center, we prefer NDT over the others in deference to the world's largest technical society of nondestructive testing professionals, the American Society of Nondestructive Testing or ASNT (not ASNE or ASNI)At NDT Training Center, we prefer NDT over the others in deference to the world's largest technical society of nondestructive testing professionals, theor(not ASNE or ASNI) [back to the questions...]
Nondestructive testing is, simply stated, exactly what its name implies - testing without destroying - to investigate the material integrity of the test object. More specifically, a nondestructive test is an examination of an object, material or system in any manner, which will not impair its future usefulness.
The purpose of the test may be to detect internal or external flaws, to measure geometric characteristics, to determine material structure or composition or to measure or detect some of the material's properties. A number of other technologies - for instance, radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement and rheometry (flow measurement) - are nondestructive but are not used to evaluate material properties specifically. Nondestructive testing is concerned in a practical way with the performance of the test piece - how long may the piece be used and when does it need to be checked again?
Since the s, nondestructive testing has developed from a laboratory curiosity to an indispensable tool of production. No longer is visual examination the principal means of determining quality. Nondestructive tests in great variety are in worldwide use to detect variations in structure, minute changes in surface finish, the presence of cracks or other physical discontinuities, to measure the thickness of materials and coatings and to determine other characteristics of industrial products.
Manufacturers use modern nondestructive tests to:
Ensuring the Integrity and Reliability of a Product - Ensuring product reliability is necessary because of the general increase in performance expectancy of the public. A homeowner expects the refrigerator to remain in uninterrupted service, indefinitely protecting the food investment, or the power lawnmower to start with one pull of the rope and to keep cutting grass for years on end. The manufacturer expects the lathe, punch press or forklift to stand up for years of continuous work even under severe loads.
Preventing Accidents and Saving Lives - But reliability merely for convenience and profit is not enough. Reliability to protect human lives is a valuable end in itself. The railroad axle must not fail at high speed. The front spindle of the intercity bus must not break on the curve. The aircraft landing gear must not collapse on touchdown. The mine hoist cable must not snap with people in the cab. Such critical failures are rare indeed. And this is most certainly not the result of mere good luck. In large part it is the direct result of the extensive use of nondestructive testing and of the high order of nondestructive testing ability now available.- But reliability merely for convenience and profit is not enough. Reliability to protect human lives is a valuable end in itself. The railroad axle must not fail at high speed. The front spindle of the intercity bus must not break on the curve. The aircraft landing gear must not collapse on touchdown. The mine hoist cable must not snap with people in the cab. Such critical failures are rare indeed. And this is most certainly not the result of mere good luck. In large part it is the direct result of the extensive use of nondestructive testing and of the high order of nondestructive testing ability now available. [back to the questions...]
ASNT NDT Level III
ASNT inaugurated its NDT Level III program in with certification offerings in five NDT methods. Over the years, ASNT has certified over 5,000 individuals from more than 50 countries as ASNT NDT Level IIIs and has expanded the certification program to include eleven NDT methods. ASNT is the single largest certifying body of Level III personnel today and the ASNT NDT Level III certificate remains the most respected and widely accepted NDT certification throughout the world.
Level III personnel are ultimately responsible for the training, qualification and certification of a companies' nondestructive testing Level I and Level II technicians.
ACCP® Professional Level III
ASNT expanded third-party Level III certification to cover Practical and Procedure Preparation (PP) examinations in five NDT methods (MT, PT, RT, UT, and VT) when it introduced the ASNT Central Certification ProgramT in . ACCP® Professional Level III certification meets the requirements of ISO Level III certification.
The purpose of ACCP® is to improve NDT reliability and accuracy among practicing NDT personnel and to provide customers and prospective employers with clear expectations of NDT personnel competency and proficiency. In order to establish a minimum standard of competency for NDT Level II and NDT Level III personnel, and to provide a means of assuring an unbiased assessment of which individuals possess such competence, ASNT used a combination of traditional practices, national and international conventions, and newly evolved concepts.
ACCP® Level II Certification
ASNT widened the scope of its certification offerings to include Level II certification in with ASNT Central Certification ProgramT Level II certification. The ACCP® Level II examinations include General, Specific, Practical, and Instruction Preparation examinations in five NDT methods (MT, PT, RT, UT and VT). ACCP® Level II certification meets the requirements of ISO Level II certification.
The NDT Trainee, Level I, and Level II
When a person starts the training and qualification process, they are classified as a trainee. Their goal is usually to become a fully certified Level I, Level II or Level III technician. It is important that the technician be qualified in the inspection method before the technique is used and test results evaluated.
Using SNT-TC-1A as a model, the experienced direction of a Level III provides the employer with the necessary guidelines and documentation to properly qualify and certify the NDT technician. To comply with most industry standards, the employer must establish a "Written Practice" that describes in detail how future technicians will be trained, examined and certified.
Typically a Level I technician is able to carry out calibrations and perform test procedures under the supervision of a certified Level II or Level III.
A Level II Technician can calibrate, perform tests without supervision and make test assessments when required. [back to the questions...]
The confusion within the industries that use NDT services exists over the terms 'certification' and 'qualification.' These words have been used and abused over the decades since the 's when the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) published its first Recommended Practice, SNT-TC-1A, Certification and Qualification of NDT Personnel. Using SNT-TC-1A as a model under the experienced direction of a Level III provides the employer with the necessary guidelines and documentation to properly qualify and certify the NDT technician. To comply with most industry standards, the employer must establish a "Written Practice" that describes in detail how future technicians will be trained, examined and certified.
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SNT-TC-1A is quite specific and clear as to what proper qualification and certification of NDT Personnel involves. Here are two straightforward definitions to clarify the terms:
Qualification is comprised of three things: the organized education, the required examinations proving an individual has proper training, and sufficient work experience in a particular inspection method.
Certification is a written testimony by an employer affirming that an individual has met the requirements of training and experience regarding a particular inspection method as stated in the company's Written Practice.
Training is an organized program developed to provide inspection personnel with the knowledge and skill necessary for qualification in a specific method. In such a program the principals and techniques (referred to as the "Body of Knowledge") of the particular test methods are taught to the degree prescribed by the employer. The necessary amount of training (typically stated in numbers of hours) and examination requirements (such as content and number of test questions) is stated in the employer's Written Practice.
Written General and Specific examinations, a Practical examination and finally, an annual Visual examination that proves Near Vision Acuity and Color Differentiation Skills by use of Isihara Color Plates are administered to NDT personnel.
Individuals are required to score 70% or higher on each of the three exams and generate a composite score (a simple average of all three exams) of at least 80% or higher.
Work activities accomplished in a particular test method under the supervision of a certified individual in that particular method is referred to as Time in Method and includes time spent observing, setting-up and executing specific test procedures, performing calibrations and carrying out other related activities. Time spent in organized training programs does not count as experience.
70
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Liquid Penetrant70
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210
Radiography210
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Ultrasonic Testing210
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Eddy Current210
630
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A Level II or Level III technician supervises the processing so that if the trainee makes an error, the test can be repeated and the supervising technician can evaluate the test object and accept or reject, and the trainee will observe the evaluation. Time spent in organized training programs does not count as experience. The length of experience required prior to certification is stated in the employers Written Practice.
Certification of NDT personnel is the responsibility of the employer. Personnel are certified when they have completed the initial training, examination and experience requirements stated in the employer's Written Practice. The length of certification and method of re-certification is also stated in the employer's Written Practice. Documentation that states each applicant's qualifications according to the requirements of the Written Practice are required before certification can occur. Key points to keep in mind are:
The bottom line is that the employer adopts full responsibility for the technician's actions and decisions once they are qualified and certified, but assumes no further responsibility for actions beyond the employment period (no such thing as a person claiming Level II status unless they are employed by the company that put them through the qualification process).
The most significant fact to understand about certification is this: if certification has been properly earned through a stepped qualification process, the technician should be capable of providing consistent and trustworthy service.
The nondestructive testing profession has suffered over the years because owners or managers have sent poorly or incompletely trained people to perform services for clients who have not always been savvy enough to recognize the difference between certified technicians and unqualified 'warm bodies.'
The work of the NDT technician is much too important to be treated carelessly. The integrity with which we accomplish our profession will have an impact on the health and safety of those who work in, on or around the items we inspect. They deserve our very best. Mistakes can and have cost lives!
Technology alone will never suffice. Only technicians who are qualified and able to embrace integrity of character and the importance of their profession can produce the observation, application and analysis required by the industry they serve and the public they keep safe.
The Written Practice is the controlling document that adapts the recommendations of the ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A to meet the specific requirements of the Company/Employer. The Written Practice should be developed or evaluated and approved by the employer's NDT Level III. It should be maintained on file for easy access, reference and maintenance by the Level III administrator, as well as for ready review in situations such as customer and jurisdictional audits. Issues covered within this dynamic document include:
In summary, the following Certification Triangle may help. All three sides of the triangle must be in place before a candidate is truly certified. Assuming this, and further assuming that the central portion of the triangle is being fully adhered to by the employer, the chances are very good that the qualification program will produce certified NDT technicians who will positively define their profession into the future. [back to the questions...]
Non-destructive testing (NDT) has become an essential part of evaluating the properties of materials and components without causing any damage to them. This method is widely used across industries such as aerospace, construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas, among others. NDT equipment plays a critical role in performing these tests and inspections, and it is necessary to have an understanding of the equipment used in NDT.
One of the most common types of NDT equipment is ultrasonic testing equipment. This equipment uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the internal structure of a material or component. Ultrasonic testing is particularly useful in detecting defects such as cracks, voids, and other discontinuities in a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics. It works by sending a high-frequency sound wave into the material being tested, and the wave is then reflected back to the equipment. The reflected wave can then be analyzed to determine the presence of defects.
Radiographic testing equipment is another commonly used NDT equipment. This equipment uses X-rays or gamma rays to create images of the internal structure of a material or component. Radiographic testing is particularly useful in detecting defects such as cracks, voids, and other discontinuities in a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics. It works by exposing the material being tested to a controlled source of radiation, and the radiation passes through the material and creates an image on a film or digital detector. The image can then be analyzed to determine the presence of defects.
Magnetic particle testing equipment is used to detect surface and subsurface defects in ferromagnetic materials. It works by creating a magnetic field in the material being tested and then applying a magnetic particle solution to the surface of the material. The magnetic particles will then be attracted to any defects in the material, making them visible to the inspector.
Visual inspection equipment includes borescopes, fiberscopes, and endoscopes, which are used to inspect internal surfaces that are not visible to the naked eye. These devices consist of a flexible or rigid tube with a light source and camera at the end, which is inserted into the material being tested. The camera captures images of the internal surface, which can then be analyzed for defects.
Penetrant testing equipment is used to detect surface-breaking defects in a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics. It involves the application of a liquid penetrant to the surface of the material, which is then removed and examined for the presence of defects. Penetrant testing is particularly useful in detecting surface defects such as cracks, porosity, and laps.
Eddy's current testing equipment uses electromagnetic fields to detect subsurface defects in conductive materials. It works by inducing an alternating current in a coil of wire, which creates a magnetic field around the material being tested. Any discontinuities in the material will cause changes in the magnetic field, which can be detected by the equipment.
Acoustic emission testing equipment uses sensors to detect and locate specific types of defects such as cracks, corrosion, and leaks in pressurized systems. It works by detecting the sound waves generated by the material when it is under stress. The sensors can detect the specific frequencies generated by different types of defects, allowing them to be located and identified.
In conclusion, NDT equipment plays a critical role in the evaluation of materials and components across various industries. These methods include ultrasonic testing equipment, radiographic testing equipment, magnetic particle testing equipment, visual inspection equipment, penetrant testing equipment, eddy current testing equipment, and acoustic emission testing equipment. It is essential to understand the principles and limitations of each method and ensure that the equipment is properly maintained and calibrated to ensure accurate results.
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