What is Non-destructive testing (NDT)?
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a method to examine, test, and assess the material, its constituents, configuration, or variations in features without damaging the usefulness of the product or its parts.
Nowadays non-destructive tests are advantageous in construction, fabrication, and in-service examination to confirm the reliability and durability of the product, to manage the process of manufacturing, reducing the cost of production, and maintain a consistent level of quality.
Non-Destructive Testing has numerous advantages that include the parts under examination are not damaged during the process, the faulty pieces are fixed rather than being substituted. Non-destructive testing is reproducible and various tests can be combined to correlate the results thus making it a precise technique of examination. The testing procedure is inexpensive because it can help to identify the error and repairing it without damaging the item.
Most of the procedures are harmless for operators but still, some are required to take place under monitored settings. It can help to avoid any casualties by certifying structures, components and machinery are unharmed. The testing also provides the operators' satisfaction and assurance that the device is running smoothly, stopping any forthcoming mishaps and establishing all the means for life extension.
A few standard NDT techniques that are used include Electromagnetic Testing (ET), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Radiographic Testing (RT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT), Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Visual Testing (VT), Eddy Current Testing (ECT). Each of the testing techniques has its benefits and drawbacks. With technological developments in imaging and digital regulator, several other techniques have been established that include Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD), Digital and Computed Radiography.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) Training
Non-destructive testing (NDT) training courses provide you with detailed knowledge about the techniques used, their applicability without causing damage to the product or any of its parts. There is a wide range of industries that use NDT like nuclear, automotive, oil and gas, railways, marine, aerospace, etc.
The responsibilities of a certified person defined as per commonly used standards for qualification and certification of personnel are:
Level-1
A person who has obtained the Level-1 certificate has verified capability to perform NDT as per the written instructions under the supervision of Level 2 or Level 3 employees. Level-1 certified individual may be approved by the company to:
organize NDT equipment
conduct the tests
document and categorize the results of the examinations in terms of written conditions
record the results
Nevertheless, Level-1 certified individuals will not be in charge of the selection of the test method to be used for the valuation of test results.
Level-2
A person who has obtained the Level-2 certificate has verified capability to perform NDT according to standard procedures. Level-2 certified individuals may be approved by the company to:
to pick the NDT procedure for the test technique
to outline the limitations of the usability of the testing technique
transcribe NDT codes, norms, and instruction to applicable testing specifications modified based on the authentic working conditions
set up and validate settings of the device
carry out and administer tests
understand and assess results according to appropriate codes, standards, or specifications
formulate NDT instructions on paper
perform and supervise all tasks at or under Level 2
provide direction for an individual at or under Level 2
organize, record, and report the results of non-destructive tests
Level-3
A person who has obtained the Level-3 certificate has verified capability to perform NDT according to standard procedures. Level-3 certified individuals may be approved by the company to:
to create, authorize and validate procedures
develop techniques to understand codes and standards
should have an adequate applied background in appropriate materials, fabrication, and product technology
to train and assess Level I and II individuals.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) Courses
1. Visual Testing
Visual Testing Course is for individuals who intend to learn more about visual inspection methods and are keen to understand the probable issues. The course is for NDT operators, surveyors, and inspection engineers.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of visual testing
Basics of light and vision
Essential equipment used in visual inspection
Expertise with products like welding, forging, etc.
Hands-on testing methodology
Learn codes and standards of visual inspection
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Identify the effect of visual inspection
Describe the area of visual inspection relative to NDT
Operate a variety of visual inspection equipment
Pass the visual testing examination.
2. Ultrasonic Inspection
Ultrasonic Inspection course is for individuals who intend to learn in-depth about the introduction to ultrasonic testing. This course can be taken by engineers, surveyors, operators and is also apt for individuals in the field of aerospace.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of ultrasonic testing
Creating and detecting ultrasonic energy
Principles to detect ultrasonic flaws
Hands-on application of ultrasonic inspection methods
Writing reports and elaborating procedures
Latest technology and other methods in ultrasonic testing
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Elaborate and list basic principles of ultrasonic testing methods
Perform ultrasonic test methods by following the stated procedures
Be able to produce, understand, and assess the results according to the written standards.
Identify faults in various parts, materials, or structures of the product.
Pass Ultrasonic Inspection Level-1 and Level-2
3. Penetrant Inspection
Penetrant Inspection course is for individuals who are responsible for inspection of casting, welding, or forgings throughout fabrication or in-service testing. This course can be taken by all NDT operators, inspectors, and technicians.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of Penetrant testing
Various kinds of penetrant and their operation
Techniques to interpret the indications
Writing reports and interpretation of related condition
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Describe the fundamental principles of penetrant testing methods
Perform penetrant inspection
Write brief inspection instructions and test reports
Pass Penetrant Inspection at Level I, II, or Level III
4. Radiographic Testing
The radiographic testing course is for NDT operators, inspectors, engineers, surveyors, and quality engineers.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of radiography
Aspects of photography, health physics, gamma rays
Interpretation of films
Factors influencing sensitivity and exposure
Hands-on experience with radiography
Writing reports and establish procedures
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Describe the fundamental principles of radiographic testing methods
Identify and record faults detected and application of radiographic technique
Perform radiographic testing using standard procedure
Understand and assess the results from radiographic testing
Pass the end of course test
5. Magnetic Particle Inspection
Magnetic Particle Testing course is for individuals who are responsible for inspection of welding, foraging, and castings throughout fabrication or in-service inspection. This course can be taken by all NDT operators, inspectors, and technicians.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of magnetic particle testing
Methods and equipment used in magnetic particle testing
Hands-on experience
Understanding of indications and assessing amperage
Writing reports and establish procedures
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Describe the fundamental principles of magnetic particle testing methods
Identify and record faults detected and application of magnetic particle technique
Perform magnetic particle testing using standard procedure
Understand and assess the results from magnetic particle testing
Pass the end of course test
6. Eddy Current Inspection
Eddy Current Inspection course is for individuals who are responsible for identifying faults in cast products, weld inspection, specification of material characteristics, and tube testing. This course can be taken by NDT technicians, operators and is also apt for individuals in the field of aerospace.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of eddy current inspection
Various aspects influencing eddy currents
Fundamental test circuits and design of coil and probe
Hands-on application
Phase and modulation analysis
Writing reports and elaborating procedures
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Describe the fundamental principles of eddy current testing methods
Identify faults in the selected sector
Write brief inspection instructions and test reports
Pass the course
7. Thermographic Inspection
The Thermographic Inspection course is for individuals from all the disciplines of engineering and is specifically valuable for the people concerned with maintenance.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of principles of thermography and thermal radiation
Learn in detail about qualitative thermography and imagery, thermodynamics.
Hands-on application of equipment used in thermographic testing
Writing reports and elaborating procedures on NDT thermography
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Describe the fundamental principles of thermographic testing
Illustrate the background and object for precise measurement of temperature
Identify faults, patterns, and problem areas
Create a strategy to gather data
Pass the course
8. Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)
Phased Array Ultrasound is an advanced course in NDT for individuals with Level-2 qualification of ultrasonic testing and want to increase their knowledge into progressive techniques.
The advanced testing uses ultrasonic probes skilled at vibrating elements separately at distinct time intervals. It has various advantages like its high detection speed, reliability, images in 2D and 3D, and permanent data of the testing recorded.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of principles of ultrasound testing
Various aspects underlying phased array ultrasound technique
Beam steering in phased array ultrasound
Beam focusing
Enhancing data quality
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Know the conceptual background of phased array ultrasound technique
Regulate and arrange equipment of phased array ultrasound technique
Identify and assess faults of phased array ultrasound technique
Write brief inspection instructions and test reports
Pass the course
9. Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD)
Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD) course is for individuals who have experience in ultrasonic testing and are want to increase their knowledge into progressive techniques.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD)
Various aspects underlying Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD)
Acquiring and analyzing data
Writing reports and elaborating procedures
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Know the conceptual background and drawbacks of ToFD
Identify and assess faults and differentiate faults from symmetrical characteristics
Write brief inspection instructions and test reports
Pass the course
10. Digital Radiographic Testing
Digital Radiographic course is for individuals who are looking forward to increasing their knowledge about the radiographic system and integrating it with the digital system at work.
The basic learnings from the course include:
Overview of the principles of digital radiography
Various equipment used in radiographic testing
Processing images with the use of phosphor
Adjusting measuring tools and impact of magnification
Specification of each software used
Analysis, writing reports, and elaborating procedures
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Know the conceptual background of digital radiography
Elaborate image processing
Use specifications of software to examine a digital image
Write brief inspection instructions and test reports
Pass the course
We are sure this article would be helpful in gathering information related to NDT courses. If you want to know more about the other courses that are in the NDT field, you can check it out here.