LMATS Pty Ltd

LMATS are now offering the most advanced NDT Methods with the commissioning of the latest ECA, PAUT,TOFD, CRT, IRIS, RFT, PEC, LRUT, SRUT, LFET, RFT, NFA, MFL equipment.

LMATS has an extensive range of Advanced Non Destructive Testing NDT solutions that offer our customers unmatched capability of applications ranging from weld inspections to the detection of hidden cracks, voids, porosity and other internal irregularities in metals, composites, plastics and ceramics.
These Advanced NDT Techniques are:-
Fast, Accurate, Traceable a digital paper trail

Advanced NDT Methods offer a number of significant benefits over traditional ultrasonic techniques including:

• Accurate defect sizing in 3 dimentions
• Inspection of components with complex geometry
• Allowing permanent traceable records for future monitoring
• Ease of data review of complex inspections
• Analysis of complex evaluation and modelling.

Our Advanced Non Destructive Testing NDT inspection solutions cover:

• Advanced Weld Inspection Solutions
• Advanced Corrosion Inspection and detection
• Advanced Stress Corrosion Inspection and detection
• Advanced Tube Inspection
• Advanced Composite Inspection

LMATS Advanced NDT services covers the following industries but not limited to:
Petro Chemical
Gas
Oil
Energy Generation
Transport
Aerospace
Marine
Manufacturing
Print
and more.
All of these solutions offer fast detection and descrimination of defects with Full Tracable Data Recording and archiving!

LMATS Advanced NDT services now gives the ability to track a defect or an anomaly in a piece of equipment over time and accuratly measure any propagation in 3 dimensions.
LMATS has commissioned the latest Advanced NDT testing equipment

• Advanced NDT - EDA Eddy Current Array testing
• Advanced NDT - PAUT Phased Array Ultrasonic testing
• Advanced NDT - TOFD Time of Flight Diffraction
• Advanced NDT - CRT Computed Radiographic testing
• Advanced NDT - PEC Pulsed Eddy Current testing
• Advanced NDT - GW LRUT Guided Wave Long Range Ultrasonic testing
• Advanced NDT - SRUT Short Range Ultrasonic testing
• Advanced NDT - LFET – Low Frequency Electromagnetic Technique
• Advanced Heat Exchanger tube testing
• Advanced NDT - IRIS Internal rotary inspection system
• Advanced NDT - RTF Remote Field Testing
• Advanced NDT - NFT Near Field testing
• Advanced NDT - NFA Near Field Array tube testing
• Advanced NDT - MFL Magnetic Flux Leakage tube testing

Failure analysis or investigation is the process of collecting and analysing facts or data to determine the root cause of a failure. This involves collecting data about operating conditions, visual examination of the failed product or component, fractography, non-destructive testing, evaluation of mechanical and chemical properties, metallography-microscopy, spectroscopy, analysis of the facts and findings, root cause conclusion and recommendations to prevent the failure from recurring.

This process is very vital for heavy industries to prevent failure of affordable and unaffordable components which can cost loss of production in thousands and millions of dollars or injuring person or community.

The process of identifying the root cause and implementing preventive actions reduces the risk of injuries, reduces the downtime and increases productivity in the mining industries, offshore and shipping industry and heavy engineering industries.

Most of the quality endorsed organisations and insurance companies ensure that failure investigations are performed to reduce the risk of failure in future.

The image is a high magnification (around 5000X) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of a stainless steel fatigue fracture. The micrograph revealed various cracks through rounded voids. These were determined to be the former location of sulphide inclusions that were dissipated as a result of loose bonding with the metal matrix. The geometry of the inclusions provided a stress-concentration, leading to the fatigue micro-cracks that can be observed in the image.

The image was taken as part of a failure investigation that revealed that the fracture was due to inappropriate material selection in which the presence of sulphide inclusions in the steel contributed to cyclic fatigue failure. By revealing the cause of failure, LMATS investigation allowed corrections to be made, preventing any costly future failures.

LMATS comprises a team of Metallurgist, Engineers, Scientist, Engineering Technologist and Non-destructive testing Technologist. The combination of these professionals from different speciality ensures that the most probable root cause is concluded and the best preventive measures are recommended.

Third Party Inspection , Supplier Audits And Vendor Management
LMATS Consulting offers third-party inspection services to meet your Statutory compliance either as a planned process or in an emergency situation
We are one of the leaders in assessing business processes and products to internationally recognised standards
LMATS Third Party Inspection confirmation, verification and inspection services to one or more internationally recognized codes, standards, design specifications and specific technical project requirements.
At LMATS our Third Party Inspection at source inspection services ( at supplier and vendor sites for manufacturers ) will confirm whether the equipment or goods have been manufactured in accordance with a client's specifications and other applicable quality system requirements as specified to ensure product/project integrity.

Third party inspections may include but not limited to:

• Product Certification
• Third party inspection of Pressure Equipment meeting your Statutory compliance
• Third party inspection of MDR & Conformity assessment for Pressure vessels
• Review of material test reports
• Witnessing mechanical tests, factory acceptance tests and hydrostatic and performance tests
• Third party Witnessing welder's performance qualifications,
• Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) & Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) as per the client requirements
• Witnessing NDE ( Non Distructive Examination ) and performing visual examinations
• Instrument calibration
• Inspection of coatings
• Third party Asset Owner's Representation Services to Asia Pacific and World wide services provided
• Material varification
• Third party Assurance of Product quality

LMATS Third Party Inspection provide these services to a wide cross section of industries including petrochemical, construction, industrial, manufacturing, pipeline, marine, defence, transportation and power generation.
For a more information on our Third Party Inspection services please contact LMATS.

Welding is an engineering process that joins components or parts of similar or dissimilar compatible materials.
This is often done by melting the joining interfaces of the objects and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material which forms a permanent joint after solidification.

Several thermo-mechanical mechanisms are known to introduce the required heat to melt material.

The most common welding process are MMAW, SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, PAW, SAW, FCAW, Oxygen-Fuel Welding, Resistance spot and seam weld, Thermit weld, Explosion weld, flash welding.

There are numerous variables in these processes when uncontrolled can contribute to inadequate or unacceptable weld joint. As a standard practice, a weld sample is produced prior to commencing the final welding of the product. All welding variables are controlled and recorded when welding the weld sample or coupon.
These welded coupons are then tested to ensure that the weld joint will be of acceptable quality. The welded sample or coupon is often tested at various stages of fabrication such as for Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR), to qualify Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), to qualify welder as Welder Qualification Record ( WQ or WQR) and to accept the final product in the form of Production Weld test.

LMATS provides services such as Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), Weld Procedure Development, Welding Procedure Qualification record Witnessing (WPQR), Welder Qualification Witnessing (WQR), WPQR Weld Qualification, Welder (Performance) Qualification, Visual examination, Visual Inspection of welds, Non-destructive examination of welds, all mechanical tests, welding machine calibration as required by several standards.

LMATS comprises a team of Metallurgist, Engineers, Welding Engineers and technologist, Welding Supervisors and Inspectors, Scientist, Engineering Technologist and Non-destructive testing Technologist. The combination of these professionals from different speciality ensures that the welding task is completed efficiently and within shortest duration.

Weld testing is performed every hour in LMATS laboratories.

LMATS provides comprehensive range of metallurgical services such as failure analysis/investigation, Material identification and recommendation, Metallography – Microstructure and macro test, manual ferrite count, etch structure classification for screening test before corrosion resistance test, graphite classification, microscopic thickness measurement, grain size, inclusion contents, and other general metallurgical services.
The majority of these Metallurgical tests have to be done under laboratory conditions however there is good news LMATS have the ability to do a range of these Metallurgical Services on site and in-situ thus enabling considerable savings by reducing delays and downtime.

Corrosion also known as degradation of material is the disintegration of a material at its micro constituent level due to chemical reactions with its surroundings environment. chain-sample-after-salt-spray-test. The most common example of corrosion is rusting of iron. There are several modes and forms of corrosion and its mechanism. Corrosion resistance is the ability of a material to withstand particular type of environment without disintegration or degradation. Corrosion resistance can be improved by addition of alloying elements (stainless steels) , by application of protective coatings (galvanising) or connecting less noble material (anodising or cathodic protection) to the component to be protected.

LMATS performs regularly corrosion resistance tests in accordance with ASTM G48, ASTM G28, ASTM A923, ASTM A262, AS 2038, AS 2331.3.1, AS 2345, ASTM B117, ASTM A380, NACE, EXXON Mobil and ESSO Shell specification. Some of the commonly used industrial terminologies for these tests are:

• Pitting corrosion test
• Crevice corrosion test
• Intergranular corrosion test
• G48 test
• Copper Sulphate test
• Ferric Chloride test
• Nitric acid boiling test
• Neutral Salt Spray test
• Dezincification test
• Ferroxyl test
• High humidity test
• Resistance to Hydrogen Sulphide H2S cracking such as Sulphide stress cracking SSC
• Stress oriented Hydrogen Induced Cracking SOHIC
• Hydrogen Induced Cracking HIC
• Step Wise Cracking SWC
• Soft Zone Cracking SZC etc.

Contact LMATS Melbourne or Sydney testing laboratory staff for your corrosion resistance test requirements.

LMATS is approved by BAE. UK to perform Titanium Intergranular Corrosion testing by measuring Intergranular attack (IGA) and end grain pitting.

Positive Material Identification, commonly known as PMI can be performed using several test methods. LMATS employs a simple non-destructive test method called as XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy) by using Thermofisher Niton XLT 818 or Innov-X Alpha and OXFORD Instruments X-MET 7500 analysers. These instruments are widely accepted by various industries and especially the petrochemical industry where the precision test results are paramount.
LMATS is NATA accredited for testing several grades of materials.

Note - The portable XRF method used to determine the chemical composition of the material is valid for the identification of the principal alloying elements only. In most cases this provides sufficient data to enable a reasonably reliable estimate of the material type. This method cannot detect carbon and hence the sole analysis should not be used to select materials for applications where the material’s strength is critical. For detailed steel material identification, either a full chemical analysis should be performed or supplementary mechanical tests should be performed.

LMATS has recently been expanded PMI testing to include :

Sydney
6.94 Comparative indication of material grade and alloy type
.01 Comparative indication using portable XRF equipment
UNS# A13840, A90583, A96063, C36000, C62700, C83600, R30605, R30816, S30300, S30400, S31254, S31600, S31700, S32100, S32750, S43100, SAE G4130, G4140, AISI 4340, 17- 4PH, CDA 386, CDA 360, Inconel 901, AISI 8620, AISI 1045, Hastalloy X, H13 toolsteel, Duplex 2205, Duplex 255, Super Austenitic 254
see NATA website

Melbourne
6.94 Comparative indication of material grade and alloy type
.01 Comparative indication using portable XRF equipment
UNS# A13840, A90583, A96063, C36000, C62700, G43400, C83600, G86200, N06002, N09901, R30605, R30816, S17400, S30300, S30400, S31254, S31600, S31700, S32100, S32205, S32550, S32750, S43100, T 20813
SAE# G4130, G4140, G5200
see NATA website

LMATS also deploy Spark Atomic Emission Spectroscopy technology. Contact LMATS Melbourne or Sydney testing laboratories for your PMI or material identification requirements.

Non destructive testing (NDT) is an engineering practice where material characteristics – some of the physical and chemical properties, product condition, size, shape and discontinuities can be detected, examined and evaluated without destroying or damaging the product. These tests are performed in a manner that does not affect the future usefulness of the object or material.

NDT is commonly used as a quality assurance practice for ensuring products compliance for welds, castings, forgings and other wrought products.

NDT is widely used as one of the condition monitoring practices for plant and assets life assessment, reliability engineering, maintenance. Most of the NDT methods are reliable, accurate and economical.

LMATS provide various types of non destructive testing services to suit client’s requirements. Please navigate through the adjacent panel or enter your keyword in the search box to obtain additional information relevant to your requirements.

Tests on Concrete & Refractory material

Several types of tests are performed on concrete and refractory materials to determine physical, engineering and chemical properties. LMATS has experienced staff that can perform and advise adequate tests to determine suitability or reliability of the existing or new concrete, ceramic or refractory products.

Visual inspection is the most common and significant test on concrete structures to determine engineering and aesthetic condition. Visual inspection can detect unacceptable flaws related to workmanship, structural serviceability and material deterioration. Some of the flaws are cracks, pop-outs, spalling, disintegration, colour change, weathering, staining, surface blemishes and lack of uniformity.

Radiographic examination is one of the conventional test methods performed on concrete structures. The intensity of radiation beam (ionising radiation) decreases (attenuation) while passing through a material. The amount of radiation attenuation depends on the quality of radiation, the density of the material and the thickness traversed. A radiograph is exposed to the attenuated radiation beam and the change in density on the radiograph is used to determine concrete condition, density, porosity, cracks, reinforcing bars and its condition (location, spacing, depth, dimensions, corrosion etc).

Ultrasonic test is conventional and contemporary test method on concrete structures. An electro-acoustic material is held in contact with the test surface and a pulse of longitudinal vibration wave is transmitted into the test material. The applied vibrations reflect (echo) from the interface between matter of different acoustic impedance property and return to the transducer. The amplitude of the reflected signal and the time taken to return to the transducer can reveal information such as strength, density, concrete thickness, cracks, laminations, reinforcing bars and its condition (location, spacing, depth, dimensions, etc)

Infrared thermography is one of the non-destructive test methods on concrete structures. The change in surface temperature (0.3degrees Celsius change) is recorded (thermogram) to determine the temperature distribution at the test surface. The change in temperature can reveal information such as leakages, cracks, laminations, reinforcing material.

Electromagnetic methods for concrete testing utilize eddy current effects. Currents in a search coil set up and eddy currents in the reinforcement material cause to change impedance in the search coil. This change in electrical impedance reveals various properties such as location and depth of reinforcing materials, etc.

Navigate through the adjacent panel or enter your keyword in the search box to obtain additional information relevant to your requirements or talk to one of the LMATS staff to complete your requested task.

A hydrostatic test is performed to determine the integrity and soundness of pressure vessels and piping joints. A decrease in the applied pressure or leakage through the products or joints or plastic deformation or distortion or bulging in the product is indication of inadequate quality of the product under test.

This test method is also termed as Leak testing (based on the principles of leakage during pressurised condition) and Pressure Drop Test (based on the principles of decrease in pressure during test due to unacceptable discontinuities). It is also the most common method often employed and it is the one of the most reliable test methods when determining the integrity and soundness of the vessel. Some of the standards permits hydrostatic test as a substitute for other expensive non-destructive test methods.

This test is preferred over pneumatic test due to safety reasons. Hydrostatic test method is applied on the newly manufactured pressure equipments, after alterations, repairs and before recommissioning stage.

LMATS holds proven test procedures and NATA accreditation for testing of pressure vessels, pressure piping, cylinders, pipes, hoses, valves, fittings and other pressure components. LMATS performs hydrostatic test in accordance with AS 4037, AS 4458, AS 4041, AS 1210, AS 1228, AS 2885.2, AS 1579, AS 1631, ASME V Article 10 and similar national/international standards.
LMATS offers hydro pressure tests through its Melbourne and Sydney testing laboratories.

The LMATS Purpose built Hydrostatic test unit has electronic recording for fast operation.

LMATS is NATA accredited in several test methods in different engineering fields.

LMATS is accredited in accordance with ISO 17025 in some of the coating related tests. LMATS Engineers performing various types of test on coatings and NACE certified coating inspectors are also authorised under ISO 17025 Accreditation system to perform other types of engineering tests. This additional experience and qualification of LMATS coating inspectors and Engineers assist LMATS clients the added value to their product verification or certification.

LMATS is the place For Coating Inspection, Pre Coating Inspection, Forensic Coating Failure Investigation, Coating Failure Analysis Services, Expert Witness Services

• Precoating surface inspection – blast profile measurements using Testex method
• Precoating surface inspection for contamination detection
• Coating thickness test – WFT (Wet Film Thickness)
• Coating thickness test – DFT (Dry Film Thickness)
• Degree of cure test
• Coating Adhesion test (coating Pull-off test)
• Film continuity test
• Holiday (high voltage porosity) test
• PMI on coatings – Detection of heavy elements e.g. Pb, Ti, etc
• Coating qualification test
• Coating mass thickness test
• Galvanised coating inspection
• Cathodic disbondment test
• Failure investigation on coatings
• Third Party Inspection and witness for coating activity
• Coating inspections to NACE Level 2 CIP2
• Offshore structures coating inspection
• Offshore containers and shipment infrastructure
• Oil and Gas industry infrastructure
• Mining industry infrastructure
• Chemical and pharmaceutical infrastructure
• Shipping industry
• Pipelines
• Storage tanks
• Heavy Highway and bridge
• Railroad
• Tank Farms
• Process Piping
• Water & Waste water Treatment
• Refining
• Secondary Containment
• Above & Below Ground Gas and Oil Transmission
• Facility Management
• Power Generation
• Sugar Refining & Processing
• Bio Fuel fermentation & Processing
• Amusement Parks & Water Parks
• Aviation and Airport facilities
• Passenger Transportation heavy rain and light rail
• Food Processing and Storage

The objectives of pressure equipment inspection are to:-

• promote the safety and health of persons in the workplace and of the public
• comply with occupational health and safety legislations
• limit the potential damage to property
• protect the environment through the control
• reduction or elimination of risk associated with the pressure equipment
• determine the condition of the pressure equipment
• detect potential failures at early stages
• reduce the risk of injury by potential failure and increase the pressure equipment life.

These objectives are achieved by verifying that:-

• fabrication and operation comply with design conditions
• verifying that pressure equipment is safe and fit for service under the specified operating conditions until the next planned inspection.

Verifying that maintenance, repairs, and alterations are performed which will:-

• maintain the integrity of the pressure equipment
• indicating repairs
• replacements or alteration which may be needed
• assessing remaining safe life of the pressure equipment.

LMATS Melbourne and Sydney testing laboratories assists clients in risk based inspections, preparing the inspection plans and performing inspections.