Post on 05-May-2018
transcript
Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing
Many companies claim to provide phased array services; however, due to
high initial startup costs and limited experienced personnel, most
companies simply cannot fulfill that promise. AER is the exception. AER
has been developed from the ground up upon advanced NDE services. It
is due to our core services relying heavily on advanced NDE such as
phased array that we are able to provide competitive rates, experienced
personnel, and the best equipment for your use.
Why Request AER’s Phased Array Services?
• Competitive pricing compared to radiography testing
• Experienced phased array experts
• 24 hour response time within the Southwestern Pennsylvania
region
• Speed of acquisition and analysis minimizes costs, so we
prefer to charge by the weld instead of by the hour
Benefits:
• Safe, high quality inspection method
• Does not utilize radiation, decreasing safety and environmental
hazards
• Increases quality control with a high probability of detecting
critical flaws
• Limited production stoppages during testing
• High speed of acquisition with near real time results
• Results stored on DVD’s
• Results produced and stored digitally, minimizing paper waste
• Fully volumetric, allowing for height, length and depth
measurements of the flaw
• Accepted by ASME, AWS, and API standards in lieu of
Radiography
• Flaw detection rate does not diminish as test object thickness
increases
Phased Array Ultrasonic
Testing is our most
requested service!
Procedures:
• ASME Sec V
• ASME Sec III
• ASME Sec. VIII
• ASME B31.1
• ASME B31.3
• ASME B31.8
• API 1104
• API 653
• API 670
• AWS D1.1
• AWS D1.5
Phased Array Ultrasonics
Safety
Industrial Radiography Safety Hazards
The use of Industrial Radiography poses health and safety hazards for
workers. Radiography testing utilizes a radioactive source. To perform
testing, the technicians utilize a radioactive source and must section off a
safety zone around the part being tested. Even though precautions are
taken, all workers in the area are exposed to radiation. Frequent exposure
to radiation causes health problems.
The picture to the right is a man with
Radiation burns on his back.
(NDT Resource Center. Man with
radiation burns on his back. Digital
image. Health Concerns. NDT
Resource Center, n.d. Web. 22
May 2015.)
A Safe Alternative: Phased Array
Phased Array is a safe non-destructive testing method. Phased Array
does not utilize a radioactive source, so workers are not exposed to
radiation during the testing process. There is no need to wear extra
protective gear or section off the area around the test object. NDT
technicians are able to work right beside other workers safely.
Benefits:
No need to handle radioactive isotopes
Worker safety is not at risk
No extensive safety precautions need to be taken
Eliminates the chance of radiation related accidents
Phased Array uses ultrasonic sound waves for inspection
Results are digital, eliminating the need to use chemicals for film
processing
Procedures Accepted for
Phased Array in Lieu of
Radiography:
• ASME Sec V
• ASME Sec III
• ASME Sec. VIII
• ASME B31.1
• ASME B31.3
• ASME B31.8
• API 1104
• API 653
• API 670
• AWS D1.1
• AWS D1.5
Phased Array Ultrasonics
Environmental
With Industrial Radiography Testing:
• Requires the use of a radioactive source
• Chemicals and heavy metals are used to develop film
• Disposal of source, chemicals, and heavy metals creates
environmental hazards
• Improper storage allows radiation to emit into the environment
• Radiation affects the cell structure of plants and animals
• Accidents create great environmental hazards
With Phased Array Testing:
• Does not require the use of a radioactive source
• Utilizes harmless ultrasonic waves for testing
• Results displayed digitally
• Minimal environmental footprint
• Results stored digitally, minimizes paper use
• Does not require the use of chemicals or heavy metals
• No waste created from testing
Phased Array Ultrasonic testing does not pose any threats to the
environment. The method uses ultrasonic sound waves to detect flaws in
a test object, which does not create an environmental hazard. Companies
who request Phased Array services in lieu of Radiography testing are
truly able to promote themselves as a “green” company.
The use of Phased Array testing helps reduce waste because it does not
require the use of chemicals or paper. Test results are produced and
stored digitally.
Phased Array is used to
Safely Inspect:
Pipeline Welds
Pressure Vessels
Piping
High Energy
Components
Corrosion Assessment
Wall Thickness
Measurements
Airplane Components
Manufactured parts
Mining Equipment
Heavy Machinery And More…
Phased Array Ultrasonics
Quality
Quality Benefits:
• Consistently detects most or all flaws present
• Ability to specifically locate flaws
• Results stored on DVD’s for quick reference
• Able to detect a wide range of flaws
• Superior to Radiography Testing
• Accepted by ASME, AWS, and API standards in lieu of RT
• Fully volumetric, allowing for height, length, and depth
measurements of flaw
• Detection ability does not decrease with material thickness
The chart pictured below was first published in a scholarly journal
presented at the 18th World Conference on Non Destructive Testing. The
chart summarizes the findings of an experiment to determine which
testing method has a higher detection ability. The chart shows the
detection ability of Industrial Radiography Testing (RT) and Phased Array
Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) on pipeline welds of varying thickness. The
types of flaws tested for are CRACKs, LOFs, LOPs, SLAGE, CAVITY-s,
and POROSITY-s. The thickness of the pipeline weld is listed in the far
left column. The actual number of flaws in the test object are shown in the
shaded blocks. The number of flaws each testing procedure actually
found are shown below RT and PAUT.
The chart shows PAUT as consistently detecting more flaws than RT,
and it often is able to detect all flaws in the test object. Pipe thickness
also proves to be no obstacle for Phased Array.
Accurate
Fast
Consistent
AER’s technicians are highly
trained in Phased Array
Ultrasonic Testing, so you can
be sure that test results are
accurate.
Confused about interpreting
Phased Array data? Call AER
to schedule a meeting with our
technicians. We will answer
questions, explain, and help
you understand Phased Array
better.
Phased Array Ultrasonics
Production Impacts
If Phased Array is selected for your project, during the inspection phase, a
production shut down is not necessary. Phased Array technology does
not emit radiation, unlike radiography, so no safety hazards requiring
workers to stay a specified distance away from the testing area are
incurred. Phased Array uses ultrasonic sound waves to inspect
components; therefore, construction and inspection can be done
simultaneously. It is safe for an NDT technician to work right beside other
workers on a project using Phased Array.
Phased Array Ultrasonic testing equipment is also able to be used in
inclement weather. Some forms of nondestructive testing are difficult or
unable to be used in inclement weather; therefore, inspection cannot be
done when the weather is bad. A project using Phased Array will not incur
production and inspection inconsistencies due to the weather.
Another benefit of Phased Array that will allow production to continue
without delay is the test results are produced digitally in real time. If a
weld needs repaired, an NDT technician is able to alert welders as soon
as possible. This allows for quick weld repair turnaround, and minimizes
future repairs due to direct feedback to the welding crews. Since the
results are stored digitally, technicians are able to reference them at a
later date if needed.
The use of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing allows for limited to no
production stoppages, ensuring consistent and uninterrupted
construction.
Production Benefits:
• Production shut
down not necessary
• Equipment can be
used in inclement
weather
• Results produced
digitally in real time
• Construction and
inspection can be
performed
simultaneously
• Results stored
digitally for quick
reference