Working with structural components such as metal and concrete is a responsibility that requires certainty and precision, especially if the project is high-risk. As such, performing the right preparation before working with these materials is paramount. Whether you’re reinforcing a cement structure or welding together two metal components.
One of the best ways to prepare for working with such materials is to perform non-destructive testing and evaluation. NDT and NDE are often used interchangeably as they yield similar results using several kinds of procedures, but do differ in a significant manner. To understand how they differ, we need to understand how each method works.
What is NDT?
Non-destructive Testing is a broad and multidisciplinary field that plays a crucial role in several industries. It allows workers to ensure that the structural component’s they work with are reliable and void of any defects that may compromise their functionality.
NDT encompasses several passive and low-cost methods of testing materials in an effort to characterise their conditions and detect any flaws that could lead to catastrophic failure such as a plane crashing or a train derailing.
Since they’re passive, NDT methods allow people to detect flaws in the materials they’re working with without harming the materials or compromising their integrity. There are several NDT methods, such as Acoustic Emission Testing and Electromagnetic Testing, all of which cause no harm to the materials being tested. To learn more about the various NDT methods, check out this blog[LM1] !
What is NDE?
Non-destructive evaluation on the other hand is used to describe measurements that are more quantitative in nature. For example, if you were to perform an NDE method on your steel frame, the evaluation would not only locate a defect, but would also be able to measure something about that defect such as its size, shape, and orientation.
Generally, NDE can be used to determine a material’s properties such as fracture toughness, formability, and other physical characteristics. While used interchangeably with NDT, NDE should not be mistaken with its counterpart.
Importance of NDT and NDE
When you’re working with materials and components that are to be used to assemble the machines that allow mankind to prosper, such as vehicles and structures, safety should be a top priority. NDT and NDE allow you to take it is a priority, as seriously as it should be taken, by testing and evaluating the integrity and strength of the materials you’re working with. Most importantly, NDT and NDE allow you to snuff out any flaws or defects before they become life-threatening problems.
Here at Ultra Scan, we know what it takes to successfully test and evaluate several kinds of structures, components and raw materials. Contact us today to learn more!
Comments:
Off