Non-Destructive Examination: What it is & Why it is Necessary

Non-Destructive Examination (NDE), also known as Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is the process used to examine components and materials without destroying or altering the component, item, system or material’s usefulness. NDT (also known as NDE) is commonly used to detect measurements, defects and flaws.

NDE is an integral part of manufacturing and safety. Using NDE ensures a product’s integrity, reliability, and safety. Non-Destructive Examination is commonly used within the motor vehicles, air and spacecraft industries. Also, bridges, trains, and oil platforms are all inspected using NDE.

NDE is about quality and assurance, and the benefits of testing are innumerable. Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) can provide various testing methods, and we have the knowledge and understanding of specifications, codes and standards that allow us to properly perform these evaluations and accurately interpret the results.

Using NDE is an important testing method, since defects that go undetected may lead to early replacement, costly repairs or worse. It is possible that a defect in product, material or piece of equipment can lead to or cause dangerous conditions or failures, which can subsequently end in revenue loss or plant shutdown.

Using Non-Destructive Evaluation during each item’s construction phase is possible and advised. This is helpful and cost-effective because during the testing process, welds and materials can be accepted, repaired or rejected. Beyond that, NDE methods can be used to detect structural integrity. NDE is used to prevent accidents and minimize costs, enhance reliability or offer data on repair options.

IIA is well-versed in radiographic testing and offers a wide variety of NDE testing at our numerous facilities nationwide. We offer Conventional Radiography (RT or CRT), which is a method that uses gamma rays as its detection source. RT is a widely used form of NDE within numerous industries including Oil & Gas because of its proven accuracy, cost-effectiveness, high level of portability, and extreme diversity.

We also offer other non-destructive evaluation services from Conventional NDE to Dye Penetrant to Pipeline Crawler Testing and more. IIA has four radiology machines, a handheld unit, and an entire room dedicated to the evaluation of large parts. Whether in the lab or in the field, IIA has the right experts and assets to provide cost-effective Non-Destructive Evaluation for your company.

Other Advanced NDE Solutions IIA Offers:

• Advanced/Traditional Bell Hole Examinations
• Array Internal Corrosion Mapping (PAUT)
• Compound Gauges
• Eddy Current Array (ECA)
• Encoded Phased Array Weld Examination (Code Compliance)
• Guided Wave Testing (GWT)
• High-Speed Automated External Corrosion Mapping
• High-Speed Automated Internal Corrosion Mapping (AUT)
• Manual Laser Profilometry
• Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)
• Pulsed Eddy Current Array (PECA)
• Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD)