NDT for Crack and Leak Detection
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a primary preventative quality control mechanism for the reliability of materials, components, structures and operational quality activities without causing any damage. NDT provides confidence in the structural integrity and safety of components supplied to industries such aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, automotive, manufacturing and infrastructure. It is also instrumental in conformance of standards such as AS9100, AS9110 or AS9120.
Just one of several quality control activities NDT can help with early detection of defects such as cracks, corrosion or other flaws to prevent potential failures that could lead to injury, loss of production time, costly repairs or have catastrophic consequences.
Where products and infrastructure are subject to stringent quality and safety requirements, NDT helps regulated companies maintain compliance with the highest industry standards and regulations.
UV Light Technology’s Midas range of blacklights is designed for fluorescent inspection professionals who need UV technology that conforms with RRES 90061, ASTM E3022 and Airbus AITM6-1001 for non-destructive testing.
Products in the Olympus, Titan and Enigma ranges conform with RRES 90061 and Airbus AITM6-1001.
We supply UVA torches and inspection lights to component manufacturers, precision engineers, service providers and NDT consultants. Our products are also suitable for operational quality control teams concerned with Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) quality who are maintaining assets in line with best practice.
Products for NDT Crack & Leak Detection
Retrofit and Upgrade Services
To help our customers maintain the highest standards we help to guide you through your upgrade programmes and provide the necessary recommendations, equipment specification, positioning and safety practices when retrofitting your inspection lines, for example, from fluorescent lamps to LED.
Applications
Aerospace and Aviation: Where safety is critical and testing is to the highest industry standards of AS9100, AS9110 or AS9120 NDT is used to inspect for cracks and other damage to turbine blades or defects in critical components in aircraft landing gear, engine components and structural parts.
Oil and Gas: UV blacklights are used to detect surface and sub-surface defects in materials, such as cracks and porosity. Other critical NDT testing for the oil and gas sector is the detection of hydrocarbon contaminants within an oxygen vessel or connecting pipeline which could result in catastrophic explosion.
Used in conjunction with dye penetration this method of NDT is particularly useful for detecting small surface flaws. Similarly, used together with magnetic particles, defects are easily visible. Specific applications include pipeline integrity, welded joints, equipment inspection and hydrocarbon detection.
Power Generation: NDT UV light ensures component integrity for the safe and reliable operation of turbines, pipelines and storage tanks. Identifying potential problems early reduces costly failures and operational downtime. NDT assessments are often a compliance requirement and ensure adherence to quality control standards.
Automotive and Plant: In addition to improving quality control, implemented to inspect castings and welded components UV blacklights will highlight surface flaws. Used together with fluorescent dye, UV blacklights are efficient in identifying leaks of engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, brake fluid in addition to structural parts.
Manufacturing: In manufacturing NDT is widely used to inspect welds for cracks and porosity checking for product conformity, identifying leaks and detecting contamination.
Infrastructure: Finding surface and near-surface defects in materials requires fluorescent penetrant inspection and magnetic particle inspection when testing for defects in ferromagnetic materials such as iron and steel. They are also used to identify faults in other infrastructure components such as cracks or discontinuities.
Electronics: UV lamps play an important role in ensuring quality of electronic components.
Food Production: UVA light inspection of eggs is used primarily for detecting contamination or identifying certain egg defects. UVA light is also used by Defra’s Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) egg inspectors and egg wholesalers when spot checking for illegal imports of battery hen eggs. The UV light shows up the cage marks that indicate battery eggs that have been illegal to sell as Class A eggs in the UK since 2012.
Another food production example is the use of UVA inspection of citrus foods. Black light inspection helps to protect producers’ profits by removing decaying fruit before it is packaged and gives them the mechanism to grade fruits, helping in the separation of first-class citrus fruits, destined for more demanding markets.
NDT Crack and Leak Detection Products
UV blacklights for use in conjunction with fluorescent dye penetrants and magnetic particles to highlight defects in metals and ceramics.
Our products are designed and manufactured in the UK. We take care to source as many materials and components domestically, ensuring a reliable supply and agile service.
All products meet the current specifications for use with fluorescent liquid penetrant and magnetic particle testing and have a manufacturer’s certificate of conformance.
For NDT crack and leak detection, base your equipment selection criteria on your specific process requirements:
- UV wavelength – usually 365nm for fluorescent inspection applications
- Minimum UV irradiance levels – dictated by working standards or ambient light levels
- Inspection area – exposure should be restricted to the working area
- Provide sufficient coverage: cover the entire inspection area effectively, reducing the need for multiple passes
- Industry standards, where appropriate, such as RRES 90061, ASTM E3022 and Airbus AITM6-1001
- Health and safety risks associated with activities
Health and Safety Assessments and Training
The health and safety services we provide are designed and tailored specifically to your organisation to help you achieve compliance with the lesser-known Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010.
From site reviews and assessments to risk management training and specific training for employers & employees you can rest assured that we can guide your organisation to achieving compliance and control your risks.
See our health and safety services here or call 01787 370187 or email sales@uv-light.co.uk.