Specialised non-destructive testing (NDT) services.

Specialised Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

Sonomatic has an industry-leading record and reputation for providing cutting-edge, advanced NDT inspection services to support global industries’ safety and integrity requirements. Our work in this area has focussed on safety and business-critical applications. The aim is to provide clients with accurate and reliable information to base their integrity plans and decisions.

As the world’s leading provider of advanced ultrasonic inspection services, with over 30 years of experience in this industry, we provide innovative and cutting-edge approaches to visual inspection challenges and continue to push the boundaries of what’s achievable with current and emerging technologies.

Our topside NDT inspection solutions include delivering a wide range of advanced techniques based on recognised industry standards and specially developed and validated client requirements.

In support of the inspection deployment and delivery, Sonomatic has one of the industry’s most forward-thinking and innovative research, development and engineering teams, fully supported by our highly experienced and qualified in-house technical support team, comprising NDT level 3 practitioners and PHD qualified staff.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Techniques

Non-Destructive Testing or NDT is a testing method used by the inspection industry to evaluate assets and infrastructure. It is non-destructive as it assesses materials and their flaws without causing damage or permanent alterations.

Non-Destructive Testing methods are conducted through various techniques and diversely applied across industries.

NDT analysis techniques are the methods that can be utilised for data collection during an inspection.

At Sonomatic, we use many NDT methods, which you can find in the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

NDT Applications

Each NDT technique can be applied to a variety of asset and infrastructure inspections.

NDT applications include:

Frequently Asked Questions

TOFD is a method of accurately sizing and monitoring the through wall height of in-service flaws.It is effective for weld inspection flaw detection irrespective of the flaw type or orientation. TOFD doesn't rely on the reflectivity of the flaw, but uses diffracted sound initiating from the flaw tips. TOFD main advantage is that it has a through wall height accuracy of +/- 1 mm, and a crack growth monitoring capability of +/- 0.3 mm, on defects of all orientations. 

DRS is a proprietary technology developed by Sonomatic using frequency-based ultrasonic wall thickness measurements. It is a corrosion mapping technique that applies a broad range of low ultrasonic frequencies (<1 MHz) to penetrate challenging coatings such as composite repairs, PE and Neoprene, and excites the natural frequencies of vibration of the underlying steel. The DRS probe raster scans over an area of interest and collects response signals. Advanced signal processing algorithms have been developed to extract the vibration frequencies and map the wall thickness profile.

Angle shear wave methods are widely used in NDT and in most applications the probe is manually manipulated. There are, however, significant benefits to automating the process, both in terms of probe manipulation and data collection. The benefits include the following:

  • Consistent performance with minimised human factors effects
  • Substantially improved probability of detection (POD)
  • Improved sizing capability
  • Accurate positional control
  • Accurate position information for each scan
  • Full recording of all data for more detailed analysis
  • Reliable repeat comparisons

Automated shear wave pulse echo is used for a variety of applications, some examples are listed below:

  • Inspection of welds to detect and size planar flaws.
  • Inspection of corrosion-resistant alloys for stress corrosion cracking.
  • Inspection of corrosion-resistant alloys for chloride pitting.
  • Inspection of materials in wet H2S service for vertical cracking elements.

InspeCT™ is Sonomatic’s proprietary subsea computed tomography system designed to eliminate the requirement to remove protective pipeline coatings, specifically concrete weight coating, to evaluate common pipeline integrity challenges including corrosion under insulation/coating, internal pitting & corrosion, degradation of internal linings & corrosion-resistant alloys, and detection & sizing of internal build-up of deposits and scale.

Multiskip is an ultrasonic rapid screening technique for corrosion and erosion detection on subsea pipelines ≥4” diameter. It uses two transducers mounted on wedges in a pitch-catch to send angled shear wave beams through the pipe wall by skipping multiple times off the ID and OD surfaces. The system is capable of high-speed, high-resolution data collection. For corrosion, loss of signal amplitude, reduction in signal arrival times, and changes to signal shape are used to provide qualitative and quantitative information.

This form of NDT generates maps of materials and their corrosion through ultrasonic scanning.

Ultrasonic testing utilises sound waves to detect corrosion within materials. This NDT technique utilises array transducers that pulse elements in a sequence called phasing.

LPT identifies cracks in materials by releasing dye into an asset and evaluating where the dye is drawn.

Ultrasonic testing utilises sound waves to detect corrosion within materials. This type of NDT is utilised for long stretches of materials such as pipelines.

Visual non-destructive testing is a method used to examine objects without moving or applying pressure to the asset. Inspectors conduct this type of inspection through the naked eye or by utilising lights, cameras, and other tools.

This form of NDT is conducted by introducing electromagnetic currents and assessing their reactions.

Radiographic NDT employs gamma or X-radiations upon assets to identify defects.

Eddy Current NDT is used to measure the intensity of electrical currents in a magnetic field.

Magnetic Particle Testing NDT is conducted by inducing a magnetic field and assessing disruptions in the flow of the magnetic field.

This NDT method identifies material defects by examining acoustic emissions realised through imperfections in the material.

Leak testing identifies leaks through measurements taken with pressure gauges and listening devices.

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