Non-destructive testing

The latest publications in this offer are:

• December 10, 2025

  R7001

  Non-destructive testing of metals

  Non-destructive inspections are widely used to check the integrity of components (metallic or non- metallic), during their manufacturing or in service. The most active sectors are civil and industrial infrastructures (including energy) and the aerospace industry.This article details recent developments of metal inspection with ultrasonics, infrared thermography, eddy-currents, and other electromagnetic techniques. Specificities will be highlighted, linked to the physical properties of metals: acoustic, thermal, electric, and magnetic.

• June 10, 2022

  R6203

  Magnetic particle testing

  Theoretical and statutory aspects were covered in a previous paper entitled "Magnétoscopie - Aspects théoriques et réglementaires". This paper describes the means for generating a magnetic field, materials for magnetic particle testing, operating techniques, the sequence of operations, implementation of the equipment, checking, the limits of use of magnetic particle testing, the main industrial uses, future prospects and possible technological developments.

• June 10, 2022

  R6202

  Magnetic particle testing

  Magnetic particle testing is one of the oldest non-destructive testing (NDT) methods used to detect and localize surface and near-to-surface/subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. It is based on the behavior of these materials when subjected to an external magnetic field. This paper deals with its theoretical aspects, relevant health, safety and environmental regulations, and training, qualification and personnel certification.

• March 24, 2022

  R2745 Review

  Infrared thermography and experimental analysis in mechanical engineering

  In a sustainable development context, mechanical engineering is increasingly faced with practical problems related to irreversible and dissipative processes, inducing aging, damage, degradation, fatigue and failure of materials and structures subjected to loading. The proposed infrared thermography used in experimental analysis offers a non-destructive, non-contact, real-time, easy-to-use technique to test design ideas. The results obtained highlight the advantages of differential infrared thermography, and demonstrate that a realistic understanding of the thermomechanical phenomena detected leads on to innovative and varied applications in the study of the mechanical performance of materials and structures in their environments.

• March 10, 2022

  R6201

  Penetrant testing

  Detection and localisation of surface discontinuities are a major requirement to ensure the safe and reliable operation of equipment, given that more than half of in-service failures are due to the gradual development of open-to-surface discontinuities. This paper deals with the theoretical aspects, the processing techniques, materials and equipment to perform penetrant testing. It is not its apparent easiness that makes this testing method so successful, but its overall performance and its scope of applications, which are described while setting its limitations.

• December 10, 2020

  R6210

  Vibration characterization using holographic methods

  This paper deals with the characterization and measurement of vibrations of structures by interferometric methods based on optical holography.The first part presents the principle of the various holographic methods that can be found in the literature. The second part deals with the measurement of vibrations generated under several excitation regimes: sinusoidal and controlled, large amplitudes, and shock regimes. The last part of the article is dedicated to the technique of kine-holography.

• May 10, 2020

  R4040

  Ultrasonic tension testing

  Controlled tightening of screws and bolts is of growing importance in various sectors, where assembly defects caused by insufficient, excessive or heterogeneous tightening could be a hazard. To avoid or mitigate failures attributable to improper tightening, the measurement and control of tightening is necessary to ensure perfect sealing and stiffness that enables the assembly to withstand external static and dynamic stresses. This paper presents the technology implemented, the principle of ultrasonic measurement and some industrial applications.

• August 10, 2018

  R4043

  Pulse-echo characterization of solids and liquids

  In this article, an overview of the pulse echo method, widely used in the field of nondestructive evaluation for mechanical characterization of solids or liquids is presented. The basic principles and the waves used are also found in the medical field although in this case the ultrasonic transducer is a multi-element device. The method seems very simple because it is based on an elementary relation (distance = velocity x time), but its application sometimes needs specific skills. After a presentation of the single-element transducer and the commonly used conventional measuring benches, the most common experimental approaches are detailed and illustrated with various examples.

• July 2, 2018

  R1403 Review

  Artificial intelligence tools applied to NDT

  Alternative methods exist for the estimation of thermophysical properties. These methods are based on artificial intelligence tools. These tools are artificial neuronal networks and neuro-fuzzy systems. They allow for estimating the thermal diffusivity of a homogeneous material. Indeed, a structural defect locally modifies this property and this is why knowing this property can be useful in non-destructive testing (NDT). The approaches described can easily be applied to other issues concerning the estimation of parameters or properties .

• June 10, 2018

  R2747

  Thermal emissivity measurement

  Thermal emissivity is a factor in radiative heat exchanges. This dimensionless number characterizes the ability of a surface to emit heat radiation. This property depends in particular on temperature, wavelength, and surface state. Radiative heat exchange, and temperature measurement by pyrometry, thus require knowledge of this variable. The influence of various parameters on emissivity is described in this article, together with the various methods used to measure it.

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