Non-Destructive Testing guarantees the safe and effective operation of equipment by detecting defects before they result in serious damage. Niagara Testing in Tucson, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, & Casa Grande, Arizona and Buffalo, Syracuse, Jamestown & Rochester, New York ensures that all equipment and properties comply with international standards.
A number of non-destructive testing methods exist. Which one is right for you? At Niagara Testing, our knowledge of different materials and testing techniques are proven. We understand the manufacturing process, product liability, weld qualification, material degradation, corrosion, and failure analysis.
Let us help quantify or eliminate your quality assurance concerns. Listed below you will find a brief description of each method and its application.
ULTRASONIC TESTING
Ultrasonic testing involves sending high frequency sound waves through materials to detect sub-surface flaws and precise product thickness. It’s amazing what sound waves can expose. Ultrasonic testing is excellent with identifying discontinuities. This method is often used on steel and other metals or alloys in industries like aerospace and automotive. Niagara Testing will transport the necessary equipment to your location and perform testing at your site.
RADIOGRAPHY (WESTERN NEW YORK ONLY)
Radiography allows us to inspect for hidden flaws by using short wavelength electromagnetic radiation to penetrate various materials and look beyond what is visually seen. Niagara Testing has X-Rayed computer chips to identify breaks in circuitry, shown defects within the core of manufactured parts, and revealed flaws that may have resulted in structure failures. Think of what we can do for you.
(NADCAP Accredited Western New York)
MAGNETIC PARTICLE
Magnetic Particle testing is a process that detects surface and minimally sub-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials like iron, cobalt and nickel. Wet or dry magnetically charged particles reveal the smallest indications that cannot be seen through visual inspection. Niagara Testing provides portable equipment for Magnetic Particle testing and can also handle large quantities at our facility. No matter the size, we can get the job done. Niagara Testing abides by standard guidelines ASME e709, and ASTM e1444.
(NADCAP Accredited Western New York)
LIQUID PENETRANT
Liquid Penetrant testing is a widely used and low-cost method of inspection to identify surface breakage in non-porous materials. This method is used to detect defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks, and fatigue cracks. Penetrating fluorescent dye reveals flaws after sufficient developing time. Niagara Testing can perform Liquid Penetrant testing on-site or off-site. It is an alternative to materials that do not hold magnetism. We abide by standard guidelines ASTM e165 and ASTM e1417.
(NADCAP Accredited Western New York)
VISUAL INSPECTION
Visual Inspection is the first step of every non-destructive testing method. Our AWS certified inspectors will ensure quality control during welder and weld procedure qualification. We are also certified to ASNT-TC-1A Level III, AWS, ASME, API 653, API 510, API 570.
Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PA-UT)
Phased array ultrasonic (PA-UT) is an advanced method of ultrasonic testing that has applications in industrial nondestructive testing. Common applications are to find flaws in manufactured materials such as welds. The ultrasonic beam from a phased array probe can be focused and swept electronically without moving the probe. The beam is controllable because a phased array probe is made up of multiple small elements, each of which can be pulsed individually at a computer-calculated timing. The phased arrays technique when using a sectoral scan produces a much more intuitive image with a length, depth and direction of the flaw
EDDY CURRENT (WESTERN NEW YORK ONLY)
Eddy Current testing uses electromagnetic induction to detect flaws in conductive materials. It involves sending a current through the tubes in heat exchangers, condensers, or air conditioning units to reveal material defects. Eddy Current testing offers material assurance before replacing the whole unit.
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
Infrared thermography detects and converts infrared energy emitted from an object into temperature, displaying an image of a material’s temperature distribution. This process allows temperature to be measured in real time from a distance without physical contact and presents temperature as visible information.