Versa Integrity

Electromagnetic Testing (ET)

Electromagnetic testing (ET) is the primary NDT method for inspection of heat exchanger tubing for rapid deployment, fulfilling many inspection needs. Applications utilizing the ET method have the ability to detect and size degradation mechanisms in exchanger tubing such as steam erosion, baffle fret-wear, pitting, and cracking. ET is also an excellent NDT method for detection of surface discontinuities in inspection of plate, welds, turbines, aircraft parts and detection of corrosion under insulation & corrosion under fire proofing in piping applications across various industries.

Eddy Current Testing (ECT)

Eddy current tube testing (ECT) is the primary NDT method for inspection of non-ferrous heat exchanger tubing. Eddy current utilizes a set of bobbin coils that can detect and size degradation mechanisms in tubing and is able to determine between an ID and OD originating flaw. Most non-ferrous tubing applications will utilize this method of testing, unless certain damage mechanisms are known to exist such as circumferential cracking, where Eddy current array would be a more appropriate testing technique

Remote Field Testing (RFT)

Remote field testing (RFT) is one of the best methods for inspection of ferrous tubing. RFT has the ability to detect/size defects just like conventional eddy current testing, but this technique is unable to determine whether a defect is ID or OD originating. The differences between conventional eddy current testing and RFT is RFT’s suitability for carbon steel, such as: SA-179, SA-214, boiler tubes, ferritic stainless steel, nickel, and other ferromagnetic alloys; while eddy current testing is only suitable for inspection of non-ferrous metal. RFT is a good technique for detection of both long and gradual indications such as corrosion and erosion as well as short and sharp indications such as pitting. There are limitations of this technique for detection of degradation located adjacent to tube support structures such as baffles and tubesheets. Remote field array testing would have advantages to Remote field testing if degradation is known to be occurring in these areas.

Near-Field Testing (NFT)

Near-field testing (NFT) or externally referenced remote field testing (XRFT) is specifically designed to reliably test aluminum-finned carbon steel tubes of overhead heat exchangers (coolers). There are oftentimes the most difficult pieces of equipment to inspect, but NFT is made for the job. Additionally, construction of the NFT array probe also allows the analyst to determine the morphology of the degradation, and characterize the defect. This, in turn, gives the ability to determine whether degradation is due to isolated pitting, cluster pitting, axial cracking, circumferential cracking, or general corrosion/erosion wall loss.

Surface Eddy Current Testing (SET)

Surface eddy current testing (SET) allows us to perform non-destructive testing in various different industries including Petrochemical, Aerospace, Power Generation, Recreation (Theme Parks), Construction and Mining. The SET technique has the ability to measure coating thicknesses, find defects through coatings and paint and also detect subsurface defects within the material being tested. We are also able to inspect complex geometries such as piping threads, boreholes, gears, and perform turbine blade inspections.

Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC)

Before pulsed eddy current (PEC), checking for corrosion under insulation (CUI) required removal of insulation which is costly and time-consuming. Additionally, conventional NDT methods were limited to single points of inspection, unlike PEC. Now, we have pulsed eddy current (the Lyft) by Eddyfi. This advanced NDT technique utilizes the principle of electromagnetic induction (which is not unlike conventional eddy current testing). Distortions in the eddy current indicate a flaw in the material, and pulsed eddy current can detect these flaws through insulation (unlike conventional eddy current testing). PEC does this by measuring the electromagnetic response to several frequencies simultaneously; which ultimately allows the technician to gather information from a range of depths (hence the use of PEC to detect corrosion under insulation). PEC also can be utilized for other applications such as corrosion under fire proofing and inspection of column skirts.

Internal Rotary Inspection System (IRIS)

Internal Rotary Inspection System (IRIS) is an Ultrasonic (UT) testing method that relies on a transducer to generate a pulse oriented parallel to the axis of the tube. The technique uses water as a coupling agent in order for the Ultrasonic pulse to travel through the tube. The advantage of IRIS eddy current is its suitability for ferrous or non-ferrous materials. IRIS detects with precision corrosion, pitting, and thinning on a wide range of tube diameters, wall thicknesses, and materials themselves. The potential downsides to this method is the necessity of the part being flooded with water, the need for the test object to be extremely clean down to bare metal, and tubing geometry to maintain centering of the probe within the tube. (No bowing or mechanical denting.

Eddy Current Array & Remote Field Array (ECA & RFA)

Our Eddy Current Array and Remote Field Array probes utilize the ET technique with an array of multiple coils in a single probe in order to maximize the probability of detection. This allows us to find defects with increased sensitivity located on or near tube supports, and also help determine if a defect is 60°, 120°, 180° or 360° in nature. We build in-house probes for various applications for both ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Array probes also include bobbin coils, which provide the same benefits as the conventional ET probes.

Why Versa?

Although eddy current is an advanced NDT service, many NDT providers offer it as part of their service suite. With that in mind, why would you choose Versa Integrity Group to manage your eddy current testing? Easy. We have the experience and technical know-how of all the above methods, so we can quickly determine whether conventional eddy current would work for your application, or if near-field testing (NFT) would be better suited. Finally, NDT is only one part of our comprehensive asset integrity management service suite. If you are searching for that sole source provider to handle your facility’s mechanical integrity, you just found it. We are the unified solution.

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