Ultrasonic Testing is Reliable for Defects and Measurement
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is an inspection method used to find internal and external defects or to measure wall thickness discontinuities in materials and parts. The process is nondestructive, which means the test item is not damaged during testing.
The Process
An ultrasound probe connected to a diagnostic machine passes over the item being inspected and transmits high-frequency sound waves into the item. A defect or inconsistency will cause some of the energy to be reflected. This reflected signal can be processed to give useful information about the condition which caused the reflection.
Ultrasonic testing can be performed either by the immersion or contact methods. Immersion inspections take place in a liquid which conducts the beam of sound between the probe and test material. With the contact method, an ultrasonic probe emitting sound waves is run over the surface of the test piece. Immersion is preferred in many applications because it is generally faster, more accurate and eliminates the need for direct contact with the test item.
Inspections at LTI
Laboratory Testing Inc. offers both immersion and contact inspections for tubing, pipe, bar, plate and a wide-variety of metal parts in all shapes and sizes. We have the capability to test materials by immersion up to 20 ft. by 4 ft. in size or up to 75 ft. long with a diameter between 1/8 in. and 6 5/8 in. Materials this large are safely handled in our 26,000 sq. ft. NDT and receiving area using our 3-ton cranes and heavy-duty forklifts.
Our technicians provide chart recording and file maintenance with all immersion inspections. We have an extensive library of tube, pipe, bar and plate ultrasonic reference standards available, and can readily obtain additional reference standards in nearly any configuration.