Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing

Many companies claim to provide phased array services; however, due to

high initial startup costs and limited experienced personnel, most

companies simply cannot fulfill that promise. AER is the exception. AER

has been developed from the ground up upon advanced NDE services. It

is due to our core services relying heavily on advanced NDE such as

phased array that we are able to provide competitive rates, experienced

personnel, and the best equipment for your use.

Why Request AER’s Phased Array Services?

• Competitive pricing compared to radiography testing

• Experienced phased array experts

• 24 hour response time within the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region

• Speed of acquisition and analysis minimizes costs, so we

prefer to charge by the weld instead of by the hour

Benefits:

• Safe, high quality inspection method

• Does not utilize radiation, decreasing safety and environmental

hazards

• Increases quality control with a high probability of detecting

critical flaws

• Limited production stoppages during testing

• High speed of acquisition with near real time results

• Results stored on DVD’s

• Results produced and stored digitally, minimizing paper waste

• Fully volumetric, allowing for height, length and depth

measurements of the flaw

• Accepted by ASME, AWS, and API standards in lieu of

Radiography

• Flaw detection rate does not diminish as test object thickness

increases

Phased Array Ultrasonic

Testing is our most

requested service!

Procedures:

• ASME Sec V

• ASME Sec III

• ASME Sec. VIII

• ASME B31.1

• ASME B31.3

• ASME B31.8

• API 1104

• API 653

• API 670

• AWS D1.1

• AWS D1.5

Phased Array Ultrasonics

Safety

Industrial Radiography Safety Hazards

The use of Industrial Radiography poses health and safety hazards for

workers. Radiography testing utilizes a radioactive source. To perform

testing, the technicians utilize a radioactive source and must section off a

safety zone around the part being tested. Even though precautions are

taken, all workers in the area are exposed to radiation. Frequent exposure

to radiation causes health problems.

The picture to the right is a man with

Radiation burns on his back.

(NDT Resource Center. Man with

radiation burns on his back. Digital

image. Health Concerns. NDT

Resource Center, n.d. Web. 22

May 2015.)

A Safe Alternative: Phased Array

Phased Array is a safe non-destructive testing method. Phased Array

does not utilize a radioactive source, so workers are not exposed to

radiation during the testing process. There is no need to wear extra

protective gear or section off the area around the test object. NDT

technicians are able to work right beside other workers safely.

Benefits:

No need to handle radioactive isotopes

Worker safety is not at risk

No extensive safety precautions need to be taken

Eliminates the chance of radiation related accidents

Phased Array uses ultrasonic sound waves for inspection

Results are digital, eliminating the need to use chemicals for film

processing

Procedures Accepted for

Phased Array in Lieu of

Radiography:

• ASME Sec V

• ASME Sec III

• ASME Sec. VIII

• ASME B31.1

• ASME B31.3

• ASME B31.8

• API 1104

• API 653

• API 670

• AWS D1.1

• AWS D1.5

Phased Array Ultrasonics

Environmental

With Industrial Radiography Testing:

• Requires the use of a radioactive source

• Chemicals and heavy metals are used to develop film

• Disposal of source, chemicals, and heavy metals creates

environmental hazards

• Improper storage allows radiation to emit into the environment

• Radiation affects the cell structure of plants and animals

• Accidents create great environmental hazards

With Phased Array Testing:

• Does not require the use of a radioactive source

• Utilizes harmless ultrasonic waves for testing

• Results displayed digitally

• Minimal environmental footprint

• Results stored digitally, minimizes paper use

• Does not require the use of chemicals or heavy metals

• No waste created from testing

Phased Array Ultrasonic testing does not pose any threats to the

environment. The method uses ultrasonic sound waves to detect flaws in

a test object, which does not create an environmental hazard. Companies

who request Phased Array services in lieu of Radiography testing are

truly able to promote themselves as a “green” company.

The use of Phased Array testing helps reduce waste because it does not

require the use of chemicals or paper. Test results are produced and

stored digitally.

Phased Array is used to

Safely Inspect:

Pipeline Welds

Pressure Vessels

Piping

High Energy

Components

Corrosion Assessment

Wall Thickness

Measurements

Airplane Components

Manufactured parts

Mining Equipment

Heavy Machinery And More…

Phased Array Ultrasonics

Quality

Quality Benefits:

• Consistently detects most or all flaws present

• Ability to specifically locate flaws

• Results stored on DVD’s for quick reference

• Able to detect a wide range of flaws

• Superior to Radiography Testing

• Accepted by ASME, AWS, and API standards in lieu of RT

• Fully volumetric, allowing for height, length, and depth

measurements of flaw

• Detection ability does not decrease with material thickness

The chart pictured below was first published in a scholarly journal

presented at the 18th World Conference on Non Destructive Testing. The

chart summarizes the findings of an experiment to determine which

testing method has a higher detection ability. The chart shows the

detection ability of Industrial Radiography Testing (RT) and Phased Array

Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) on pipeline welds of varying thickness. The

types of flaws tested for are CRACKs, LOFs, LOPs, SLAGE, CAVITY-s,

and POROSITY-s. The thickness of the pipeline weld is listed in the far

left column. The actual number of flaws in the test object are shown in the

shaded blocks. The number of flaws each testing procedure actually

found are shown below RT and PAUT.

The chart shows PAUT as consistently detecting more flaws than RT,

and it often is able to detect all flaws in the test object. Pipe thickness

also proves to be no obstacle for Phased Array.

Accurate

Fast

Consistent

AER’s technicians are highly

trained in Phased Array

Ultrasonic Testing, so you can

be sure that test results are

accurate.

Confused about interpreting

Phased Array data? Call AER

to schedule a meeting with our

technicians. We will answer

questions, explain, and help

you understand Phased Array

better.

Phased Array Ultrasonics

Production Impacts

If Phased Array is selected for your project, during the inspection phase, a

production shut down is not necessary. Phased Array technology does

not emit radiation, unlike radiography, so no safety hazards requiring

workers to stay a specified distance away from the testing area are

incurred. Phased Array uses ultrasonic sound waves to inspect

components; therefore, construction and inspection can be done

simultaneously. It is safe for an NDT technician to work right beside other

workers on a project using Phased Array.

Phased Array Ultrasonic testing equipment is also able to be used in

inclement weather. Some forms of nondestructive testing are difficult or

unable to be used in inclement weather; therefore, inspection cannot be

done when the weather is bad. A project using Phased Array will not incur

production and inspection inconsistencies due to the weather.

Another benefit of Phased Array that will allow production to continue

without delay is the test results are produced digitally in real time. If a

weld needs repaired, an NDT technician is able to alert welders as soon

as possible. This allows for quick weld repair turnaround, and minimizes

future repairs due to direct feedback to the welding crews. Since the

results are stored digitally, technicians are able to reference them at a

later date if needed.

The use of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing allows for limited to no

production stoppages, ensuring consistent and uninterrupted

construction.

Production Benefits:

• Production shut

down not necessary

• Equipment can be

used in inclement

weather

• Results produced

digitally in real time

• Construction and

inspection can be

performed

simultaneously

• Results stored

digitally for quick

reference