As an industry leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection, MISTRAS offers an expansive suite of traditional NDT solutions as the basis of many of our asset protection programs.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) – also known as nondestructive examination (NDE) and nondestructive inspection (NDI), depending on the industry – is an efficient way to inspect equipment because there’s no need to shut down or enter an asset, increasing uptime and productivity. In opposition to its counterpart, destructive testing (DT), NDT’s non-intrusive application does not materially affect the integrity of the asset being inspected.
Each NDT technique is designed to detect and/or quantify specific damages. For example, ultrasonic testing (UT) techniques are effective to detect and track active flaws, corrosion, and erosion, while acoustic emission (AE) is an effective choice for fatigue, leaking, and cracking.
As many clients’ inspection needs are in at-height, confined space, and subsea locations, MISTRAS’ NDT inspection services include rope access teams, certified unmanned system pilots, and trained divers to ensure assets in hard-to-reach locations are inspected as regularly as they need to be.
MISTRAS offers an extensive range of NDT techniques, along with subject matter experts to assist in selecting the appropriate method. In addition to the solutions mentioned below, check out the OneSource List to learn more about MISTRAS’ expansive range of available traditional NDT solutions, including:
- Acoustic Emission (AE)
- Eddy Current (ET)
- Magnetic Particle (MT)
- Penetrant Testing (PT)
- Positive Material Identification (PMI)
- Radiographic Testing (RT)
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
- Visual Testing (VT)
Acoustic Emission (AE) testing is a powerful method for examining the behavior of materials deforming under stress. AE equipment "listens" to the sounds of cracks growing, fibers breaking, and many other modes of active damage in the stressed material. Small-scale damage is detectable long before failure, so AE can be used as a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique to find defects during quality control (QC) testing, structural proof tests, and plant operations. AE also offers unique capabilities for materials research and development in the laboratory.
Small-scale damage is detectable long before failure, so AE can be used as a non-destructive technique to find defects during structural proof tests and plant operation. AE also offers unique capabilities for materials research and development in the laboratory. Finally, AE equipment is adaptable to many forms of production quality control (QC) testing, including weld monitoring and leak detection.
Learn more about AE inspection.
Eddy current (EC) testing induces an electrical current into a conductive material. Any changes in the current due to geometry, material changes, or discontinuities – such as pitting, erosion, corrosion, baffle fretting, cracking, or another anomaly – disrupt the flow of the eddy current, potentially indicating the presence of damages. It is sensitive to small and sub-surface cracks and defects.
Eddy Current testing is commonly used to inspect non-magnetic (non-ferrous) and slightly magnetic alloys that are conductive. Eddy Current testing is very sensitive to small defects such as stress corrosion cracking. Interpretation of Eddy Current data is very complex, so MISTRAS provides certified inspectors with years of experience to correctly characterize signal formations.
Learn more about ET inspection.
MT is a quick, cost-effective NDT inspection method to detect surface and near-surface discontinuities, available in the field or in the lab. In MT, MISTRAS technicians magnetize a ferromagnetic material and apply finely-milled iron particles coated with a dye pigment to it. The particles indicate a discontinuity in the material by clustering directly over it, which can be visually detected under proper lighting conditions.
MISTRAS utilizes Dry Powder and Wet Fluorescent Magnetic Particle testing (MT) for finding surface/near-surface defects in ferromagnetic material. MT requires a skilled technician to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant indications. It is often used for metal cracking detection, weld verification, and stress corrosion cracking detection.
Learn more about MT inspection.
A traditional, relatively simply method of field or lab non-destructive testing, Penetrant Testing (PT) is used for finding surface-breaking discontinuities on relatively smooth, nonporous surfaces. It is based on the properties of capillary action, or the phenomenon of a liquid rising or climbing when confined to a small opening. After the excess penetrant is removed and a developer is applied, a trained inspector can identify any remaining penetrant that may indicate a flaw.
Also referred to as Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPT), Penetrant Testing (PT) is used on non-ferrous materials such as metals, composites, and ceramics, identifying surface anomalies such as cracks, seams, laminations, blow holes, laps, external bursts and welding defects.
Learn more about PT inspection.
Radiographic Testing (RT) inspections use X-Ray or Gamma ray sources to view and assess the internal structure of an asset. RT is sensitive to corrosion, changes in thickness, voids, cracks, and material density changes, and is able to detect both surface and sub-surface defects with minimum surface preparation required. RT is used both in the field and in the lab, and is particularly useful because it provides a permanent record of the inspection, making it useful to evaluate assets before and after treatment and throughout various stages of their operational lives.
Radiographic Testing (RT) allow technicians to accurately locate, size, and identify internal and external defects. RT is a common and effective NDT) inspection solution for a wide range of assets, including piping, pipelines, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and more. Our staff of qualified, certified, professional radiographers operate within strict safety parameters and use our substantive industry experience to produce high-quality radiographs.
Learn more about RT inspection.
Conventional Ultrasonic Testing (UT) inspection is a commonly-used non-destructive testing (NDT) technique that measures the propagation of mechanical vibrations (ultrasonic waves) through a material to examine properties, measure thickness, determine elasticity, and detect a range of discontinuities, including corrosion/erosion, flaws, cracks, and more.
An NDT staple, MISTRAS technicians utilize conventional ultrasonic testing (UT) to detect surface and sub-surface defects and supply accurate readings regarding discontinuity size and shape. Ultrasonic surveys are used as the main inspection technique for a plant’s erosion/corrosion programs, and are utilized extensively at our multiple evergreen site locations around the world.
Learn more about UT inspection.
The oldest and most basic form of non-destructive testing, traditional visual testing involves MISTRAS technicians inspecting equipment with their eyes to determine any visual defects. MISTRAS offers visual inspectors that are certified to a variety of industry codes and regulations.
Often the first technique that MISTRAS utilizes at the outset of a project, MISTRAS provides a variety of visual inspection (VT) services to multiple industries. The method is useful for determining a project’s scope, establishing the extent of existing damage, and informing the technician of where more advanced, in-depth inspections are needed.
Learn more about VT inspection.
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