NDT Inspection Services

What is NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)?

Many NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) methods are utilized in the oil and gas inspection industry. The best NDT methods address issues regarding safety, equipment reliability, and environmental protection and government regulations. The greatest benefits that NDT service provides are that

(a) Equipment for transporting petroleum products (such as a pipeline) can be inspected without making any structural changes;

(b) Equipment is not disturbed during NDT; therefore there is neither a reason to shut down nor to interrupt operations.

Popular NDT methods involve visual inspections, ultrasonic techniques, magnetic, penetrant, visual and eddy current testing.

Ultrasonic Inspection

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a category of non-destructive testing (NDT) that applies high frequency sound waves to objects to detect flaws like cracking or to make measurements such as checking for density or thickness. Many plastics, ceramics, metals, woods, composites and concrete products can be tested or measured using this method, including plated items and alloys. One example application of this testing method is to measure the level of corrosion on a pipe. Ultrasonic testing is also commonly used to test the integrity of welds

When it comes to defect detection, some of the types of flaws that can be detected with ultrasonic testing include cracks, porosity, laminations/delaminations, inclusions, and more. Weld and bond integrity can also be determined with ultrasonic testing.

Magnetic Particle Inspection

Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), also referred to as Magnetic Testing or Magnafluxing, is a non-destructive testing (NDT) methodology used to detect surface defects (plus defects located just below the surface) of ferromagnetic objects.

Magnetic particle inspection is a popular NDT method because it is fairly easy to do, does not require as much cleaning or preparation to execute, is safe for both the inspector and the item being examined and relatively inexpensive as compared to other NDT techniques.

IFENDT, LLC can offer Magnetic particle inspection on-site or in house for smaller components in our dedicated test facility. We offer both visual color contrasting methods and fluorescent.

Liquid Dye Penetrant Inspection

Dye penetrant inspection, also commonly referred to as liquid penetrant inspection or penetrant testing, is a popular non-destructive testing (NDT) and evaluation technique used to detect surface flaws on components used in the aerospace, power generation, military, construction and manufacturing industries, among others.

Penetrant testing highlights flaws that are open to the surface of the object being tested, defects that are often too small, too slight or too difficult to see during a routine visual inspection. The types of surface flaws that can be detected with dye penetrant inspection include hairline cracks, pitting, leaks, unintended porosity, fatigue, scratches, pin holes, seams and lack of fusion along welds or bonds.

Dye penetrant inspection at IFENDT, LLC offer PCN Level 2 technicians to carry out penetrant testing on your site using color contrast or fluorescent techniques, or at our dedicated test facilities.

IFENDT, LLC offers a PCN Level 3 Penetrant Testing service.

Eddy Current Inspection

Eddy-Current Inspection (ECI) is one of many electromagnetic testing methods used in non-destructive testing (NDT) making use of electromagnetic induction to detect and characterize surface and sub-surface flaws in conductive materials.

Surface inspection is used extensively in the aerospace industry. The technique is very sensitive and can detect tight cracks. Surface inspection can be performed both on ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. Conventional ECI is used for inspecting steam generator tubing in power plants and heat exchangers tubing in power and petrochemical industries. This technique is very sensitive to detect and size pits.

In its most basic form — the single-element ECI probe — a coil of conductive wire is excited with an alternating electrical current. This wire coil produces an alternating magnetic field around itself. The magnetic field oscillates at the same frequency as the current running through the coil. When the coil approaches a conductive material, currents opposite to the ones in the coil are induced in the material — eddy currents.

Visual Inspection

The most basic NDT method is visual examination. Visual examiners follow procedures that range from simply looking at a part to see if surface imperfections are visible, to using computer controlled camera systems to automatically recognize and measure features of a component.

Visual Testing (VT) requires line-of-sight contact with the portion of the specimen to be inspected, adequate illumination of the test specimen, a thorough understanding of the nature and origin of discontinuities and potential defects within the test object, and familiarity with the specifications controlling the inspection process.

Visual testing presents numerous real benefits: simplicity, rapidity, low cost, minimal equipment requirements and the ability to be performed while the specimen is being used or processed.

Iron Recertification

( Innovative Surface Approach )

  1. Visual Inspection – The initial inspection for every asset is performed by visual inspection, which examines internals and externals for any irregularities including erosion, cracking, pitting, etc. per SOP.
  2. Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) – A test performed by IFENDT Level II certified technicians trained in methods of NDT examination to identify relevant and non-relevant indications.  The results are stored in the ProFlow Management Online Database.
  3. Ultrasonic Thickness Inspection (UTT) – Every piece of iron undergoes an ultrasonic examination by a qualified technician, these tests must meet or exceed customer and OEM requirements. The tests are performed utilizing precise calibrated instruments to ensure accuracy.
  4. Union Sub End Gauging - Through the use of go/no go gauges we are able to detect unacceptable wear of hammer union sub ends, wing halves, swivel ball races, and retaining segments.
  5. Hydrostatic Pressure Testing – Pressure testing capabilities ranging from 50-22,500 psi performed inside engineered blast test enclosures with electronic nVision charts and stored for each tested piece within the ProFlow Management Online Database.
  6. Rebuild/Repair – IFENDT has the advanced training and capabilities to rebuild/repair any high pressure iron assets.

At IFENDT,  technicians perform the necessary tests to locate the indicators and discontinuities that may cause failures or shut downs. These tests are performed in a manner that does not affect the future integrity of the object or material – hence, the name “non-destructive.”

Our team is dedicated to providing the best in testing in ensuring your equipment and materials are analyzed thoroughly for future use.

ProFlow Management NDT Suite is a web-based real-time NDT tracking software program offering work order entries, inventory tracking, invoice and ticket options for inspectors, customers, and users to monitor.  

Our software provides permission levels for your company to insure the end user is receiving only the relevant data they need to perform.  

Contact us today to see how ProFlow Management can benefit your company.

IFE NDT RFID SOLUTIONS

Each asset or tagged item is detected and identified automatically, and it is matched up with the correct information in your database using its unique ID.  This allows us to maintain a completely accurate inventory of all tagged assets and properly account for current assets. With our RFID tagging, technicians can quickly locate, identify or even track the movement and verify the location of any of your assets in our buildings or the entire site.

IFE Aerospace NDT FAA Part 91,135,145

NDT Inspection Amusement Rides

Weld/Construction NDT Inspections

MOBILE TESTING SERVICES

IFE NDT mobile testing services uses the latest state of the art testing equipment at your location.  Level II inspectors can provide the following services for your company:

  • Liquid Dye Penetrant Inspection
  • Ultrasonic Inspection
  • Magnetic Particle Inspection
  • Eddy Current Inspection
  • Visual Inspection
  • Magnetic Particle Inspection
  • Hardness Testing
  • Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Wireline Recertification Testing

Contact Us for More Information

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