Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for Metal Fabrication
Our world is built with components crafted from steel, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and other materials. Virtually every industrial sector relies on metal-fabricated components, from aerospace and defense components to transportation and energy equipment. To verify the safety of metal fabricated components, manufacturers depend on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services to identify flaws or discontinuities in metal parts. With non-destructive metal fabrication testing, you can certify the quality of your metal fabrications without damaging or compromising the tested component or material.
Why Is NDT for Metal Fabrication So Important?
Fabricated metal parts are used to build the structures and resources we depend on daily. Metal fabricators cut, shape, and weld metal materials to make components that directly impact every aspect of daily life, from public transportation equipment like buses and aircraft to buildings and critical infrastructure. Whether creating machine parts, metal castings, plate metal, or other parts, metal fabricators must have confidence that every component meets strict safety and reliability performance standards. Even minor flaws in metal fabrications can have severe consequences.
Given these high stakes, metal fabricators need to know that their products meet strict performance standards. With Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), metal fabricators can achieve precisely that. Non-destructive testing allows manufacturers to verify the integrity of their components without causing damage to the parts, providing assurance that each metal piece has undergone thorough inspection and meets quality requirements.
How NDT Inspection Services Support Metal Fabrication Applications
Non-destructive testing services provide a range of benefits for metal fabricators, verifying that fabrication processes like welding, casting, and forging produce components that meet industry standards. Key advantages of NDT services for metal fabricators include:
- Achieving Industry Quality Standards: NDT ensures compliance with industry standards for fabricators serving industries like aerospace, defense, and energy.
- Confirms Structural Integrity of Components: NDT prevents compromised materials from progressing through production by identifying internal and surface-level defects.
- Stronger Trust: Third-party certification from a NADCAP-accredited lab like AMT provides an exclusive level of trust. In competitive markets, delivering quality-tested components can set fabricators apart.
- Cost Effectiveness: By detecting defects early, you can save time and money by avoiding rework or scrap. NDT services provide peace of mind that your components will perform reliably throughout their lifespan.
NDT for Metal Fabrication from American Metal Testing
At American Metal Testing (AMT), we specialize in NDT processes designed to meet the demands of modern fabrication testing requirements. Our NDT methods include Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI), and Radiographic Inspection (X-ray inspection). Each technique offers unique benefits for various applications.
Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)
MPI can detect surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials, including iron, nickel, and cobalt. This method uses a high-amperage, low-voltage current to create a magnetic field within the part. If discontinuities are present, they will disrupt the magnetic field due to their differing magnetic properties from the surrounding material, revealing the location and shape of the flaws.
- Applications: Weld inspections, castings, forgings, machined parts
- Benefits: Quick and effective testing solution for surface indications in small and large components.
- Considerations: Limited to ferromagnetic materials and may require demagnetization after testing. MPI is less effective at detecting subsurface discontinuities compared to Radiographic Inspection.
Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI)
FPI uses a liquid penetrant and ultraviolet light to reveal flaws in both ferrous and non-ferrous materials. This method is highly sensitive and effective for detecting minute defects.
- Applications: Aircraft components, automotive parts, machined parts
- Benefits: Provides detailed and highly sensitive results. Can identify cracks and porosity in many different metals. FPI is a very cost-effective and time-efficient NDT solution.
- Considerations: FPI only provides surface-level detection for defects like cracks and porosity; it cannot detect subsurface flaws.
Radiographic Inspection (X-Ray Testing)
Radiographic inspection uses X-rays to identify internal defects like voids and inclusions in a material. This method produces detailed images, allowing for thorough evaluation and simplified record-keeping.
- Applications: Can inspect complex assemblies, critical safety components
- Benefits: Non-invasive imaging that reveals hidden flaws, including subsurface defects. Radiographic Inspection also creates permanent visual inspection records. It is compatible with nearly any material.
- Considerations: Radiographic Inspection typically takes longer than other testing methods. It is also typically more costly than other methods.
Partner with AMT for Reliable Metal Fabrication Testing Services
At American Metal Testing, we provide accurate, efficient, and fully certified NDT services for metal fabricators for the most demanding industrial sectors. We are committed to finding the solutions that are right for your application, working closely with you to determine which NDT process best achieves your requirements. When you choose American Metal Testing for your non-destructive testing needs, you can rely on:
- NDT inspection services that deliver accurate and comprehensive evaluations
- A variety of NDT solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of commercial and industrial sectors
- Fast and efficient testing, providing minimal turnaround time without sacrificing quality
- Competitive pricing for all our NDT services
Contact Us to Get Non-Destructive Metal Fabrication Testing Services
If you need NDT for metal fabrication applications, American Metal Testing is your solution. Contact us today to discover how our professional NDT inspection services can test your metal fabrications' quality and dependability. For pricing information on your project, request a quote online. American Metal Testing is your source for industry-leading non-destructive metal fabrication testing services.
