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Element Materials Technology
The Element Materials Technology Group is one of the world’s leading global providers of testing, inspection, and certification services.
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Loading…Loading…ServiceUnited KingdomThe Element Materials Technology Group is one of the world’s leading global providers of testing, inspection, and certification services for a diverse range of products, materials, and technologies in advanced industrial supply chains where failure in use is not an option.
Headquartered in London, UK, Element’s c.9,000 scientists, engineers, and technologists, work across a global network of over 270+ locations, support customers from early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals, and into production ensuring their products are safe and sustainable, and achieve market access.
In 2021, Element set out its new, industry-leading environmental commitments, adopting science-based targets and committing to net zero emissions across its entire global business by 2035. These environmental commitments follow Element’s achievement of the highest ESG ranking in the testing, inspection, and certification industry from Sustainalytics, a global leader in ESG research and data.
Our industry-leading radiographic testing and inspection capabilities include a range of traditional and more advanced digital methods of radiographic inspection:
Conventional Radiography
Element’s radiographic inspection staff are certified by the ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP), PCN (ISO 9712 compliant), EN 4179, and NAS 410. Our Level II and Level III technicians can perform conventional film radiography, a portable method that is capable of revealing the most microscopic cracks in metallic materials through metallurgical testing.
Close Proximity Radiography (CPR)
In addition to conventional and digital radiography, Element offers Close Proximity Radiography (CPR). The CPR system, also known as “Small Controlled Area Radiography” (SCAR), has been developed as a unique industrial radiography process that does not require evacuations of personnel. Proximity radiography can produce both film and digital imaging.
Computed Radiography (CR)
Our NDT laboratories also perform Computed Radiography, a method that produces an image in a digital format that can be viewed on any laptop or computer, eliminating the need for chemical processing and costly film storage.
Digital Radiography (DR)
We also have the latest digital radiographic equipment using Digital Detector Arrays (DDA) where images are displayed directly onto a computer screen and can quickly and easily be shared. Understand the difference between Computed Radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR).
Linear accelerator testing (LINAC)
Linear accelerators are used for testing thick and dense materials such as steel. Due to their high performance, they require significantly less time to penetrate the material.
Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomography is the most advanced radiographic testing method that uses an automated detector motion to gather thousands of images at various angles to create a 3D image. The image can be viewed on the screen and further processed with a CAD program or analysis software.
Advantages of radiographic testing:
The advantages of using radiography inspection as your chosen non-destructive testing method.
The Element Advantage
Whether you require on-site field services or in-lab RT laboratory analysis, our global platform of experts and resources delivers the certainty your radiographic inspection projects require.
Eddy current inspection is an efficient and precise nondestructive test method. This type of inspection is particularly helpful in evaluating heat exchangers and aircraft parts and components.
The flow of periodic electrical currents in conductors, or probes, creates varying electromagnetic fields. These probes are placed near the surface of the test material and can detect the effects of processing and shaping operations during production, as well as corrosion damage or cracking for most nonmagnetic metals and alloys.
Eddy current testing is a valuable tool for the nondestructive testing and condition monitoring of a large variety of metallic structures, including heat exchanger tubes, aircraft fuselage, and aircraft structural components.
NDT at Element - Eddy Current
Element operates full-service non-destructive testing laboratories that utilize advanced equipment capable of performing quality inspections. Our experts are ready to assist you with your toughest material challenges.
Liquid penetrant inspection (LPI), or dye penetrant inspection, is a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective method for detecting surface flaws in welds, castings, and other components that cannot be destroyed. LPI or dye penetrant is a portable surface inspection method, allowing our Engaged Experts to conduct a comprehensive onsite evaluation.
What is Liquid Penetrant Inspection Utilized For?
Liquid penetrant inspection is a valuable tool for evaluating non-ferromagnetic and non-metallic materials. In addition to utilizing dye in checking for defects and cracks, it can also be used to determine other surface characteristics, such as porosity.
The Dye Penetrant Inspection process
Parts must go through a pre-cleaning process (etch, alkaline, or solvent-cleaning) before the liquid penetrant is applied. After allowing proper dwell time, the excess penetrant is removed from the surface (but not from any possible defects), and the part is dried. Then a developing powder is applied; this developer pulls up the dye that has seeped into cracks or pores, resulting in visible marks or indications that identify surface flaws. Based on the results, an inspector then provides a report with the type, number, and size of defects on a component.
Element’s Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPI) qualifications
Our non-destructive testing (NDT) experts are well-trained in liquid penetrant inspection and hold Level II and III certifications from ASNT, among other qualifications. Element provides Type II non-fluorescent NDT services to all of the various commercial and nuclear codes, as well as Type I fluorescent inspection to aerospace, government, nuclear, and after-market applications.
Magnetic particle inspection (MPI) also known as magnetic particle testing (MPT) is a non destructive test (NDT) method used to check for surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferrous materials. Our magnetic particle testing is performed on-site or in one of our state-of-the-art laboratories.
Because this method relies on a magnetic field to produce results, it works best on ferrous materials, like nickel, iron, cobalt, and some alloys. Components like billets, bars, castings, forgings, fasteners, weldments and extrusions are also commonly tested using magnetic particle inspection.
Trust the NDT Experts at Element
Magnetic particle inspection can be performed using a wet or dry method, depending on the application. In both methods, the product is electrically charged to create a magnetic field. Then, ferrous iron particles are applied to the part in a dry or wet suspension.
If there is a crack or other defect present, the particles will be attracted to the flaw and build up around the leakage to for an “indication.” The indication is then evaluated to determine the characteristics and cause of the defect. Results allow our Engaged Experts to understand the type and severity of any discontinuities on the part’s surface or sub-surface.
The Element advantage in MPI testing
By examining the nature, location and extent of an indication, our highly trained and experienced inspectors can determine the origin and cause of both surface and near-surface discontinuities.
Element operates full-service non-destructive testing (NDT) and magnetic particle inspection laboratories that utilize advanced equipment capable of performing quality inspections for virtually any form of ferrous material, component or assembly.
Even with sophisticated measuring and imaging equipment, visual inspection (or visual testing) is still a useful, relevant tool for a range of applications. Our Engaged Experts are trained to look for defects, inconsistencies, and characteristic patterns in materials, equipment, and structures, helping you ensure quality and uniformity in your products and processes.
Often used in conjunction with our non-destructive testing services, a visual inspection provides you with added confidence that your products are free from defects and discontinuities. We use the industry’s most respected standards and processes to closely and carefully inspect your products, no matter how big or how large the quantity.
How We Perform Visual Inspection (VT)
Depending on the type of material or equipment being inspected, we look for a range of different characteristics during a visual inspection. While inspection criteria are different for each project, some of the attributes we look for include: