Ultrasonic Thickness Testing has been widely used to determine corrosion and erosion rates of materials and locate discontinuities at or below the surface of a variety of materials. Based on the same principal as sonar, a sound wave is transmitted into the material under examination. Thickness or soundness is determined electronically as the instrument automatically calculates the travel time of the sound wave through the material and back to the receiving transducer. This can provide a thickness measurement with an accuracy of +/- .004" . With this level of accuracy, corrosion/erosion rates can be established and remaining service life estimated.
Ultrasonic Thickness Testing can be used to examine the following - to name a few. Boiler tubes, Process piping, Storage tank shell plate, Pressure vessels, Dryer cans and Structural steel.
Ultrasonic Soundness Testing can be used to examine the following - to name a few. Bolts, shafts, Axles, Steel plates, Babbitt bearing bonds and Retaining pins.
Ultrasonic Volumetric Inspection (Shear Wave) works on the same basic principle as ultrasonic thickness/soundness; however, angles are introduced. This allows the sound pulse to travel from a smooth surface into a weld in a controlled manner. Calculations are performed for indicators, to show exact depth and location of a defect in the weld. Shear wave is used as an alternative to radiography when downtime of production is not an option; however, there is no permanent record of defects.
Liquid Dye Penetrant is mainly used to detect fatigue and stress cracks in ferrous or non-ferrous materials. This works on the capillary action by which small voids will draw in the dye. The surface is pre-cleaned; the dye is applied; after the appropriate dwell time, the excess dye penetrant is removed; a developer is applied; when developer is applied the technician observes the surface for any dye bleed-out, which indicates a surface discontinuity.
Magnetic Particle is mainly used to detect fatigue and stress cracks in ferrous materials only. A magnetic field is introduced in the test specimen. Any voids (cracks) will allow the magnetic lines of force to escape the material thus forming a flux leakage field. The applied iron particles either in dry form or in a fluid suspension will be attracted to the flux leakage site and bridge the disturbance and outline the discontinuity. Magnetic Particle testing has been effective on surface and shallow sub-surface voids.
Vacuum Leak Testing is used mainly to locate pinholes and cracks in the lap joint or butt joint floors of storage tanks during manufacturing or periodical internal inspections. The weld under examination is coated with a soap solution with a high surface tension and then a vacuum box with a clear viewing window and sealing gasket is placed over the weld as the air within the vacuum box is removed from the box by applying a regulated low vacuum to the box . This creates a low pressure area within the vacuum box and a slightly higher pressure on the opposite side of the floor weld. Bubbles are formed at the location of any leaks as air is drawn through the defect and into contact with the soap solution.
Pressure Leak Testing differs from vacuum leak testing in that a regulated low pressure is introduced within the sealed area. By applying a high surface tension soap solution to the external welds the technician observes the surface for bubble formation. This works well for the examination of re-pad welds around shell penetrations in storage tanks and many other applications.
Airborne Ultrasonic Leak Testing can be used to locate both pressure and vacuum leaks in pneumatic, hydraulic, fluid storage and piping systems and duct work. This method can also be used to examine steam traps, heat exchangers, boilers, valves and condensers.
Positive Material Identification (PMI) positive material identification, verification and quality assurance can be provided by the use of portable, hand-held XRF analyzers. These isotope-free units deliver on-the-spot instant and accurate readings of both alloy grade and chemical composition.
Underground Utility Locating is accomplished by the use of various types of magnetic locators to detect the magnetic field of ferromagnetic objects. It responds to the different magnetic field between two sensors which are spaced apart. These units provide an audio signal and visual indications of both signal strength and polarity, which can be used to determine orientation of the buried object. These are useful for locating such objects as ferromagnetic piping, manhole covers, well casings, septic tank covers and property line stakes.
Holiday (Spark) Testing is used to locate defects in highly electrical resistant coating applied to pipe or flat plate when the surface beneath the coating is electrically conductive. These detectors work equally well on damp or dry surfaces, and is especially desirable where humid conditions prevail. Holiday detection can be performed on internally lined storage tanks, lined or coated pipe before burying, protective coated structures and protective coatings applied to concrete structures.
Remote Color Video Inspection can be performed on boiler tubes, piping systems and heat exchanger tube bundles with an inside diameter as small as 1-½". Reels feature water proof color cameras with adjustable illumination with either a working length of 120? or 150?. The cable reel has a video out connection and may be connected to a video/audio recorder to provide a permanent record of the inspection. These remote video inspection units may be used for various other types of inspection, such as duct inspection, interior of walls ,confined spaces and sewer drain piping.
High Strength Bolt Tension Testing bolt tension is determined by the use of a "Skidmore-Wilhelm" tension indicating device which is fastened to a fixed member, typically a column flange, and the appropriate plates for the size of bolt are installed. The bolt, nut and hardened washer are then installed through the central hole and tightened by whatever method is to be employed in the project. Tightening the fastener nut creates pressure on a load cell that is squeezed and this pressure is transmitted through hydraulic fluid to the gauge which gives a direct reading equivalent to the fasteners tension in pounds. Tension may be applied by turn of the nut "spud-wrench", calibrated torque wrench or electric or pneumatic impact wrench. The gauge on the Skidmore is marked to show the required tension for each size and grade of bolt.
Hardness Testing provided by utilizing K&M KH-500 portable hardness tester capable of measuring in the scales of HL, HRC, HRB, HB, HS and HV.
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Repair or new construction
Subcontractor coordination
Detailed documentation
Vendor surveillance
Code interpretation
Scope and Procedure design
Equipment re-certification
API-650/653 - Above ground storage tanks
API-620 - Large low-pressure tanks
API-570 - Piping systems
API-510 - Pressure vessels
ASME B31.3 - Process piping
AWS - Welding codes and procedures
AWWA - Water storage tanks
UL-142 - Shop fabricated tanks
and more...
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