Non–Destructive Testing

Metallurgical Associates is one of the few independent materials testing and engineering laboratories in the country that provides ASNT Level III Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection services.

Level III is the highest level of certification awarded by the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT) and authorizes the holder of this credential to develop NDT standards and specifications, train inspectors, and certify them to Level I and Level II when they have completed ASNT requirements.

MAI provides ASNT certified Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection in Ultrasonic Inspection (UT), Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) and Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT).  These inspection techniques non-destructively detect a wide range of defects including cracks, porosity, laps, seams, voids and others.

PT, MT and UT Examples: A crack detected in the crown of a piston from an stationary industrial diesel engine using the following techniques:

Ultrasonic Inspection (UT)

Ultrasonic Inspection can be performed on-site at your facility or in the field, as well as in-house at our laboratory.  UT can detect cracks and other flaws to a considerable depth and identify their location within the part or structure.  UT is also used to determine material thickness in structures such a storage tanks and support beams.  This capability is particularly valuable to identify the thickness of remaining intact material in heavily corroded structures.

Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT)

This method uses wet or dry fluorescent magnetic particles which are attracted to surface defects and slightly sub-surface defects when a magnetic current is applied to the part under inspection.  Due to the magnetic requirements, this inspection method may be applied only to ferromagnetic parts.

Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT)

Liquid Penetrant Inspection detects cracks and other defects that are open to the surface of the part.  PT can detect defects in a wide range of materials including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics and ceramics.