Ultrasonic test is a volumetric inspection, so detect discontinuities inside the volume under exam. In addition to determining the length and location of a defect, also allows in most cases to characterize it by providing the operator with information about its nature.
It is applicable to most of the materials and thicknesses that are encountered in the field in various sectors, industrial, naval, petrochemical etc. The main factor that can compromise or negatively affect the quality of control is the structure of the material: too large grain prevents or disperses the passage of the ultrasonic beam, especially at the higher frequencies, on the other hand, a lower frequency reduces the sensitivity of the examination and the resolution power.
As for our expertise in ultrasonic testing on highly attenuated materials (austenitic-duplex- superduplex etc.) refer to the specific section of the site.
With regard to ultrasonic inspections on low attenuation materials (ferritic, fine grain), we can count on an experience of over 35 years in the field among our operators, in various fields (Pressure Vessel, Oil & Gas, Naval, Mechanical, Carpentry, Foundry)
The Main applications of our competence are:
- Defectoscopic controls for internal discontinuity detection
- Controls on claddings for verification of adherence or homogeneity of the cladding itself
- Thickness measurement (refer to the specific section of the site)
- Corrosion Research (refer to the specific section of the site)
We perform ultrasonic examinations with “contact” technique (probe or wedge in close contact with the surface of the piece) using digital instruments Olympus (EPOCH 600-1000) or GE (USM GO-USN60).
Our staff is certified at lev. 2 and 3 according to ISO 9712, SNT-TC-1A, API RP 2X (only level 2)
For welding inspections we have numerous calibration blocks and numerous probes of various sizes and frequencies, necessary to perform at best every specific control, in full compliance with the Regulations applied, (eg AWS D1.1 – D1.5, D1.6, ASME V, EN ISO… (various)
For the inspection of plates we have scanners to be moved manually, which use 4 straight probes arranged in parallel, so as to guarantee the control along grids pre-established by the reference standards.
For the inspection of castings or large-scale products we have flat and angled probes with frequencies starting from 0.5 Mhz and probes with elements in piezo-composite material for better resolution, greater penetration capacity and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. For these controls we normally use Olympus Epoch 1000 or GE USN 60 instrument.
To verify the adhesion between cladding and base material or verify the homogeneity of the cladding itself, we choose the most suitable probes after appropriate checks and calibrations on sample blocks made for this purpose, even if for a couple of years, when we are commissioned these types of inspections we try to direct clients to prefer Phased Array, given the many advantages it can offer in these applications (see specific section fo the website).
