NDT - Non Destructive Testing

Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is the process aimed at evaluating and/or inspecting materials, parts and assemblies in virtually all industries and businesses around the world. It is also widely used in scientific laboratories. In essence, NDT is a set of techniques and methods that use various penetrating media to noninvasively determine the integrity of materials and structures.

As opposed to destructive methods that require samples and determine their physical properties such as malleability, impact resistance, yield, tensile and fatigue strength, to name a few; NDT allows on-site construction, manufacturing, fabrication or in-service inspections to control construction and manufacturing processes, maintain uniform product quality and lower production costs, or, as in the latter case, ascertain that the products in use continue to have the integrity necessary to ensure their usefulness and safety to the public. 

The main application of NDT is to find discontinuities and differences in material characteristics. Since NDT does not alter or destroy the object undergoing examination and its methods are extremely portable, it is very time- and cost-effective. It can extend the lifetime of equipment and system components, increase production and resolve safety issues.

NDT methods are named in accordance with the type of penetrating medium or equipment used. The following techniques comprise modern Nondestructive Testing: Electromagnetic Testing, Laser Testing, Thermal/ Infrared Testing, Leak Testing, Magnetic Flux Leakage, Liquid Penetrant Testing, Acoustic Emission Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing, Radiographic Testing, Ultrasonic Testing, Vibration Analysis and Visual Testing.

Even though most of these techniques have gone digital in the past few years, analog X-ray devices, for example, still play an important role in the industry. Digital X-ray equipment sometimes has limited applicability in on-site in-service inspections of hard-to-reach components and structures or testing of very thick materials. And Real-Time Radiography is not yet wide-spread and has portability, image resolution and cost issues, to boot.

This makes radiographic film almost ubiquitous in NDT applications. But it is common knowledge that films tend to darken with the passage of time, which results in a loss of crucial information.

Our NDT division provides inexpensive solutions to X-ray film storage and handling problems. NDT specialists can save a lot of hassle, time, and money with high-quality NDT professional film scanners. Additionally, we have developed specialized post-treatment tools intended to significantly increase productivity in processing and interpreting industrial radiographs.

Note:
Although some NTD methods are similar to noninvasive medical techniques, the term ‘nondestructive testing’ is not usually used to describe medical applications.

Find more information about our NDT X-ray Scanning Solutions here.