What is NDT (non-destructive testing)?

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) refers to the inspection, testing and analysis methods of checking properties of materials for any changes or defects. This takes place without damaging any of the components.

NDT is used across various industries, including oil and gas, automotive, construction, manufacturing, and energy. 

Importance of NDT

One of the primary benefits of NDT is its capability to detect defects, flaws, cracks, corrosion, and other imperfections in materials or components early in their lifecycle. By identifying these issues before they escalate, NDT allows for timely corrective actions, preventive maintenance, and quality assurance measures. This reduces the risk of dangerous failures and ensures total safety.

Welding NDT specialists

Pipework fabrication quality assurance is at the core of everything we do at Abbey Pipework. Our NDT is carried out by leading weld testers S. T & W Inspections. Their services include NDT, welder qualifications, weld procedures, RWC services, and inspection consultancy to the highest standard.

We provide NDT and Weld Mapping as an optional extra for our customers. If NDT is required, we require confirmation prior to the works commencing.

When requested, our process includes weld mapping the job. Here, we identify and number each of the individual welds to ensure full traceability of which welder undertook each individual weld. Depending on the percentage of the job being tested, individual welds are selected at random by the tester and then tested to ensure the weld passes. The tester is looking for any cracks or defects which could weaken the weld.

Once we receive the report back from the tester, the weld mapping is then updated with the relevant report number, identifying exactly which weld has been tested. The report will also detail the NDT process undertaken, i.e. MPI on Fillet Welds.

S.T & W Inspections NDT services for Abbey Pipework Fabricators

Services

S.T & W Inspections provide Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), welder qualifications, weld procedures, RWC services, and inspection consultancy to the highest standard for Abbey Pipework Fabricators. 

We carry out a wide variety of Non-Destructive Testing techniques to ensure their components are acceptable to the given industry-specific acceptance standards. Our team has more than 10 years of experience within the industry, combining our varied skill sets and knowledge to create a service that works alongside our clients such as Abbey Pipework Fabricators who take their quality output seriously. 

Our commitment to Abbey Pipework and the wider industry comes from working in multiple heavy industry sectors knowing the importance of efficient and reliable inspections to ensure products are sent out fully compliant. Our clients’ satisfaction is extremely important to us, and we always find a way to fulfil urgent, critical, or specialist inspection requirements. 

MPI/DPI surface inspections

Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) detects flaws on or near the surface of ferromagnetic components. This NDT method is particularly useful for crack detection, as very slight irregularities are made visible as disruptions within the magnetic field that is produced. This is used in Abbey Pipework’s Carbon steel production to check conformity on a regular and ad hoc basis upon client request.

Dye Penetrant inspections (DPI) are used on non-ferromagnetic materials to detect discontinuities in welds/other critical components. This is used in the inspection of Abbey Pipework’s Stainless-Steel Fabrication setting to ensure compliance with the given industry specifications. 

UT and PAUT Sub-Surface Inspections

Ultrasonic Inspection uses pulsed ultrasonic sound waves to assess the internal integrity of a component. Ferrous and nonferrous materials can be assessed using this technique, which is frequently used in the workshop to ensure no inclusions, cracks, pores or other defects are present before sending pipework out to site. We work closely with the relevant British standards to ensure welds are compliant to whatever specification is required for Abbey Pipework’s projects. 

Phased Array Ultrasonic Inspection (PAUT) is an innovative and advanced method of NDT – S. T & W Inspections makes use of PAUT for Abbey Pipework when additional data may be required for a critical project or where X-Ray is not a practical solution. PAUT can be used to precisely, reliably, and efficiently locate flaws when assessing a component’s integrity. The thickness of a material can also be checked using this technique by calculating the time taken between a pulse from the array and a reflector. 

RWC/Welder Qualifications/Weld Procedure Approval

S. T & W inspections play an active role in assisting Abbey Pipework Fabricators with maintaining all welder qualifications and welding procedures. We ensure that each welder is qualified and that there is no lapse in approval. Abbey Pipework Fabricators go above and beyond to ensure they keep accurate and detailed quality documents which enables them to deliver high-end, high-quality fabrication of pipework through maintaining a thorough quality management system. 

 

By investing in our services Abbey Pipework Fabricators have the assurance they need that they remain compliant to all relevant industry specifications. 

Looking for safe, reliable pipework fabrication services? Get in touch with our team for more information on 01268 526723.