NDT
Ultrasonic Testing
Wicks & Associates provides Ultrasonic Testing (UT) for thickness determination
as well as flaw detection utilizing traditional UT shear wave instruments/techniques and
Phased Array systems.
What are the advantages of Ultrasonic Thickness?
Completely nondestructive—does not require cutting, sectioning, or exposure to damaging chemicals.
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Requires access to only one side of the test piece, unlike mechanical thickness tools like calipers and micrometers.
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No potential health hazards, unlike radiography.
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When properly set up, results are highly repeatable and reliable.
What are the advantages of Phased Array?
Phased array is widely used for nondestructive testing (NDT) in several industrial
sectors, such as construction, pipelines, and power generation. Apart from detecting
flaws in components, phased array can also be used for wall thickness measurements
in conjunction with corrosion testing. Phased array can be used for the following
industrial purposes:
Inspection of welds.
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Thickness measurements.
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Corrosion inspection.
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Flaw detection.
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Rolling stock inspection (wheels and axles).
Ultrasonic phased array systems can potentially be employed in almost any test where
conventional ultrasonic flaw detectors have traditionally been used. Weld inspection and
crack detection are the most important applications, and these tests are done across a wide range of industries including aerospace, power generation, petrochemical, metal
billet and tubular goods suppliers, pipeline construction and maintenance, structural
metals, and general manufacturing. Phased arrays can also be effectively used to
profile remaining wall thickness in corrosion survey applications.
Digital Radiography
Unlike conventional radiography, digital radiography doesn’t require film. Instead, it uses
a digital detector to display radiographic images on a computer screen almost
instantaneously. It allows for a much shorter exposure time so that the images can be
interpreted more quickly. Furthermore, the digital images are much higher quality when
compared to conventional radiographic images. With the ability to capture high quality images, the technology can be utilized to identify flaws in a material, foreign objects in a
system, examine weld repairs, and inspect for corrosion under insulation.
What are the advantages of Digital Radiography?
No film processing means faster image acquisition.
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Produces high-quality images consistently.
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Increases overall productivity.
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Provides a safer environment.
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Provides a way to show customers digital images quickly.
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Provides enhanced precision images.
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Provides quantitative information from images.
Liquid Penetrant Inspection
Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT), PT is used to detect casting, forging and welding
surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, cold lap, and fatigue cracks
on in-service components.
What are the advantages of Liquid Penetrant Inspection?
High sensitivity to small surface discontinuities.
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Compatible with various materials, including metallic, nonmetallic, magnetic, nonmagnetic, conductive, and nonconductive surfaces.
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Efficient for inspecting large areas and high volumes of parts quickly and at a low cost.
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Adaptable to complex geometric shapes, making it suitable for intricate components.
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Flaws appear directly on the surface, providing a clear visual representation for easy identification.
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Aerosol spray cans make penetrant materials highly portable.
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Penetrant materials and associated equipment are relatively inexpensive, making this a cost-effective inspection method.
Magnetic Particle Inspection
The principle of the method is that the test point is magnetized to produce magnetic
lines of force, or flux, in the material. If these lines of force meet a discontinuity, such as
a crack, secondary magnetic poles are created at the faces of the crack. Where these
secondary magnetic fields appear at the surface of the metal, they can be revealed by
applying magnetic particles, as a powder, or in a liquid suspension, to the surface. The
particles are attracted to the flux leakage and accumulate around the flaw, making it
visible. The particles may be color contrast (visible), or fluorescent to increase their
visibility under black light.
What are the advantages of the Magnetic Particle Inspection?
It is quick and relatively uncomplicated.
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It gives immediate indications of defects.
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It shows surface and near-surface defects, and these are the most serious ones as they concentrate on stresses.
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The method can be adapted for site or workshop use.
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It is inexpensive compared to radiography.
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Large or small objects can be examined.
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Elaborate pre-cleaning is not necessary.
Thermographic Inspection
Thermographic Inspection refers to the nondestructive testing of parts, materials or
systems through the imaging of the thermal patterns at the objects’ surface. This is
especially useful for monitoring Fired Heaters, Flare Stacks and Boilers.
What are the advantages of Thermographic Inspection?
Large areas can be scanned with no interruption to operations.
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Saves time, labor, and machinery costs.
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Offers advantages over other non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques.
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Risk-free, as it does not emit radiation—only records infrared radiation from the material under assessment.
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Functions as an area investigation technique, unlike most NDT methods, which are point or line testing methods.
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Can be performed during both daytime and nighttime hours.
Positive Material Identification
Positive Material Identification (PMI) is a nondestructive testing method used to confirm
the composition of materials, ensuring they meet the required specifications. PMI is
commonly used in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and petrochemicals
to verify alloy grades and detect material mix-ups.
What are the advantages of PMI?
PMI provides accurate identification of material composition, even with small samples.
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It can analyze metallic and nonmetallic materials and works on various material states like liquids, powders, or solids.
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Handheld equipment allows for easy on-site analysis.
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Large areas and multiple components can be tested quickly.
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Reduces material errors and operational risks without significant expense.