Corrosion
Ultrasonic Testing
- The most common tool for measuring remaining metal thickness in corroded pipes, tubes, and tanks is a hand-held ultrasonic thickness gage with a dual element transducer. Testing can normally be performed at high temperatures (up to 500° C) when necessary, without interrupting processes.
- Ultrasonic gauges are also effective on heavier structures like bridge beams, support pilings, and ship hulls. More sophisticated instruments including phased array systems can be used with manual or automated fixturing to generate cross-sectional profiles (B-scans) of corroded parts.
Eddy Current Testing
- Eddy current instruments including eddy current arrays are used extensively to detect corrosion in critical aircraft structures, including hidden corrosion between metal layers. This technique is gradually replacing the use of radiography, which is time consuming and requires safety precautions. Eddy current array technology is being developed to scan larger areas of the aircraft to detect areas of general corrosion.
- Eddy current technology can also be used in many other corrosion applications allowing for a large area inspection that is quick and recordable.
Remote Visual Inspection
- Videoscope or Remote Visual Inspection equipment is the first choice to find corrosion and condition of piping inside or hidden area since true color image information is the simplest and easiest way to judge the condition. The unique 3D Stereo measurement employed in the IPLEX videoscope systems can quantify the corroded area and pit depth.