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Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Inspection Services
Non-destructive testing (NDT) – also known as nondestructive examination (NDE) and nondestructive inspection (NDI), depending on the industry – is an efficient way to inspect equipment because there’s no need to shut down or enter an asset, increasing uptime and productivity. In opposition to its counterpart, destructive testing (DT), NDT’s non-intrusive application does not materially affect the integrity of the asset being inspected.
Each NDT technique is designed to detect and/or quantify specific damages. For example, ultrasonic testing (UT) techniques are effective to detect and track active flaws, corrosion, and erosion, while acoustic emission (AE) is an effective choice for fatigue, leaking, and cracking.
As many clients’ inspection needs are in at-height, confined space, and subsea locations, Southern Services’ NDT inspection services include rope access teams, certified unmanned system pilots, and trained divers to ensure assets in hard-to-reach locations are inspected as regularly as they need to be.
Southern Services, Inc. offers an extensive range of NDT techniques, along with subject matter experts to assist in selecting the appropriate method.
Specialized NDT Services
Visual Testing
Visual Testing (VT), is the most fundamental and oldest form of non-destructive testing. It is the technique of visually inspecting a piece of equipment for defects using just the eyesight.
Visual testing may be performed to check both the internal and external surfaces of a range of different kinds of equipment, including storage tanks, pressure vessels, pipes, and other forms of equipment.
Radiographic Testing
Radiographic Testing (RT) (X-Ray Testing) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method which uses either x-rays or gamma rays to examine the entire volume of the asset to identify any flaws or defects. In Radiography Testing the test-part is placed between the radiation source and film (or detector).
Radiographic Testing is an extremely popular inspection technique, thanks to its versatility in detecting a wide range of defects on multiple materials, and its ability to produce a permanent record of each inspection.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is utilized for the detection and location of discontinuities, material composition analysis, and wall thickness measurements.
Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UTT) is a method for determining the extent of corrosion and erosion on the walls of piping, vessel, storage tank, and other assets. We offer UTT spot inspections, and long-term, remote wall thickness monitoring for pipes and vessels in high-temperature and hard-to-access locations.
Magnetic Particle Testing
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), technicians magnetize a ferromagnetic material and apply finely-milled iron particles coated with a dye pigment to the magnetized area. The particles indicate discontinuities in the material by clustering directly over it, which can be visually detected under proper lighting conditions.
Southern Services Inc. offers dry powder and wet fluorescent MT inspection services, depending on the application.
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) or dye penetrant testing – is based on the properties of surface wetting and capillary action, which causes a liquid to rise when confined to a small opening. After applying the penetrant and wiping away the excess and applying a developer, the penetrant that rises to the surface can indicate surface-breaking anomalies.
PT inspection services are widely applicable to identify discontinuities in a variety of assets given its ease of use and minimal equipment requirements.
Positive Material Identification
Positive material identification is a quick, non-destructive procedure that may be used on a broad range of components and assets. It delivers a semi-quantitative compositional analysis. It is utilized for both the verification and identification of materials.
Computed Radiography Testing
Computed radiography (CR) is used to analyze corrosion/erosion losses in process pipes, pressure vessels, and valves on an internal or exterior basis. It allows for the estimation of residual thickness and wall losses.
Computerized pictures facilitate data exchange, resulting in considerable increases in radiographic inspection productivity and speedier problem diagnosis.
Computed radiography (CR) stores radiographic examination data on phosphor-imaging plates rather than film. Although the CR imaging plates are exposed in the same manner as conventional radiography plates, the pictures are laser scanned from the plates into a computer system. The photos may then be analyzed, modified, printed, and stored for future study using advanced software. The residual wall thickness may then be estimated for use in interpreting ASME code welds and evaluating wall loss.
Eddy Current Testing
Eddy current testing is a non-destructive testing method used for detecting flaws in conductive materials that utilizes the electromagnetic principle.
A specifically constructed coil activated with alternating current is positioned near the test surface, providing a changing magnetic field that interacts with the test component and generates eddy currents in the area.
Variations in the electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, or the existence of discontinuities will result in a change in the eddy current and a corresponding change in the phase and amplitude of the measured current. The changes are seen on a screen and evaluated to detect faults.
Visual Testing
Visual Testing (VT), is the most fundamental and oldest form of non-destructive testing. It is the technique of visually inspecting a piece of equipment for defects using just the eyesight.
Visual testing may be performed to check both the internal and external surfaces of a range of different kinds of equipment, including storage tanks, pressure vessels, pipes, and other forms of equipment.
Radiographic Testing
Radiographic Testing (RT) (X-Ray Testing) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method which uses either x-rays or gamma rays to examine the entire volume of the asset to identify any flaws or defects. In Radiography Testing the test-part is placed between the radiation source and film (or detector).
Radiographic Testing is an extremely popular inspection technique, thanks to its versatility in detecting a wide range of defects on multiple materials, and its ability to produce a permanent record of each inspection.
Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is utilized for the detection and location of discontinuities, material composition analysis, and wall thickness measurements.
Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UTT) is a method for determining the extent of corrosion and erosion on the walls of piping, vessel, storage tank, and other assets. We offer UTT spot inspections, and long-term, remote wall thickness monitoring for pipes and vessels in high-temperature and hard-to-access locations.
Magnetic particle Testing
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), technicians magnetize a ferromagnetic material and apply finely-milled iron particles coated with a dye pigment to the magnetized area. The particles indicate discontinuities in the material by clustering directly over it, which can be visually detected under proper lighting conditions.
Southern Services Inc. offers dry powder and wet fluorescent MT inspection services, depending on the application.
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) or dye penetrant testing – is based on the properties of surface wetting and capillary action, which causes a liquid to rise when confined to a small opening. After applying the penetrant and wiping away the excess and applying a developer, the penetrant that rises to the surface can indicate surface-breaking anomalies.
PT inspection services are widely applicable to identify discontinuities in a variety of assets given its ease of use and minimal equipment requirements.
Positive Material Identification
Positive material identification is a quick, non-destructive procedure that may be used on a broad range of components and assets. It delivers a semi-quantitative compositional analysis. It is utilized for both the verification and identification of materials.
Computed Radiography Testing
Computed radiography (CR) is used to analyze corrosion/erosion losses in process pipes, pressure vessels, and valves on an internal or exterior basis. It allows for the estimation of residual thickness and wall losses.
Computerized pictures facilitate data exchange, resulting in considerable increases in radiographic inspection productivity and speedier problem diagnosis.
Computed radiography (CR) stores radiographic examination data on phosphor-imaging plates rather than film. Although the CR imaging plates are exposed in the same manner as conventional radiography plates, the pictures are laser scanned from the plates into a computer system. The photos may then be analyzed, modified, printed, and stored for future study using advanced software. The residual wall thickness may then be estimated for use in interpreting ASME code welds and evaluating wall loss.
Eddy Current Testing
Eddy current testing is a non-destructive testing method used for detecting flaws in conductive materials that utilizes the electromagnetic principle.
A specifically constructed coil activated with alternating current is positioned near the test surface, providing a changing magnetic field that interacts with the test component and generates eddy currents in the area.
Variations in the electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, or the existence of discontinuities will result in a change in the eddy current and a corresponding change in the phase and amplitude of the measured current. The changes are seen on a screen and evaluated to detect faults.
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Your GO-TO partner for all Inspection and NDT Services
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Your GO-TO partner for all Inspection and NDT Services