What’s NDT Anyway?

Contact Us

Here’s a brief description of the types of NDT methods in day to day use at Vi-Scan:

 

 

LT—Fluorescent Liquid Penetrant.  A basic but thorough and reliable method used to detect surface discontinuities in components.  Parts are immersed, left to dwell, rinsed and then inspected.

MT—Fluorescent Magnetic Particle.  Another basic but thorough and reliable method used to detect surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic components.  Magnetic particles are applied and the part is inspected while in a magnetic field.  As shown here, the magnetic particles cause defects to glow brightly.

ET—Eddy currents are produced by a flaw detector and coil probe.  These eddy currents are interrupted by surface or sub-surface cracks or other flaws in materials, usually aluminum in our field.  This NDT method requires specific training and experience but is a superior flaw detection method for aircraft and components, such as these wheel assemblies.

UT—Ultrasonic inspection methods are used to determine material thickness.  It is also an excellent method for detecting cracks and corrosion in a wide variety of materials.  UT is also very useful in confirming bond integrity; this is a sub-method called, you guessed it, bond testing.

RT—Radiography (x-ray) is the most effective and reliable method for looking through material, like an aircraft skin, to detect cracking, corrosion and foreign materials such as  water in structures behind the skin, or in places that are difficult to access.  This is also the most dangerous of all NDT methods, requiring the most stringent training and safety procedures.

Borescopes and optical micrometers are also used for visual inspections such as aircraft engine interior components, or scratched airplane windows.

These are just very brief descriptions of the main methods used in aircraft inspections.