Accurate, Efficient And Reliable Volumetric Examination

Phased array ultrasonic testing is a non-destructive testing technique that is used to quickly and reliably map and analyse the interior of industrial assets – or assess the integrity of critical welds.  

It’s conducted using a piezoelectric sensor or ‘probe’ featuring multiple small transducers that can be individually pulsed to electronically control the focus and sweep of ultrasonic beams without repositioning the sensor, when compared with manual ultrasonics and thus use multiple groups of angles simultaneously. 

In simple terms, the technique uses constructive interference to create a highly-modifiable wavefront with a specific angle and focal point, and the speed with which this wavefront can be modified enables trained operators to quickly map out complex geometries.

The resultant maps are highly detailed and when flaws are identified, phased array testing can then be used to hone in on the specific nature, size, depth and orientation of defects – so that detailed and well-informed plans can be made to remediate damage and/or replace infrastructure. 

Our inspection personnel can use phased array ultrasonic testing to assess various materials, including plastics, common and exotic metals, or composites and depending on the application and equipment used, thicknesses of anything between 3-200mm, may be assessed.

On-stream inspections can be carried out, depending on the temperature, with high temperature applications possible. Applicable temperatures may be dependent on factors such as application and access.

Phased array ultrasonic testing is rapidly replacing traditional techniques like radiography for a number of reasons:

First and foremost, it is quick, affordable and can yield highly-accurate results, enabling teams to rapidly assess the condition of assets or welds in a fraction of the time it would take to test the same equipment or infrastructure via industrial radiography. 

It’s also perfectly safe and doesn’t involve the use of radioactive materials, which means that it can be deployed in radiation-sensitive environments. Being radiation-free also removes the need to set up costly and complicated safe zones – and minimises the risk to teams working in or around the assets that you’re testing. 

Nine times out of ten, phased array ultrasonic testing can be carried out while your process streams are running and your assets are fully operational, which means minimal downtime and no loss of production.

And there are other advantages too: The equipment used to conduct phased array testing is relatively lightweight and portable. It can be deployed quickly, and used in tight or restrictive spaces which is essential for the in-situ testing of assets commonly used in the energy sector, including storage vessels, pipes or heat transfer equipment.  

Then there’s the output to consider: Phased array ultrasonic testing produces real-time digital or computerised maps that can be permanently stored for auditing purposes, held for review at a later date, or analysed in-situ by qualified personnel to ensure that urgent problems can be addressed in the shortest possible time frame. 

Finally, it’s worth highlighting the flexibility of PAUT techniques. Simply put, phased array ultrasonic testing is one of the only techniques that allows us to precisely map complex geometries and/or very large areas without moving sensors or interfering with equipment.