Industries That Benefit from Eddy Current Testing
Eddy current testing (ECT) is a form of nondestructive testing that is used across a variety of industries. This technology is used for a range of applications, including flaw detection, material and coating thickness measurements, material identification, and identifying the heat treatment condition of certain materials. Carrying out fast nondestructive inspections enables users to ensure health and safety regulations are met and their products comply with strict quality standards—this is particularly important in industries such as aerospace where small defects could pose a serious risk. If you’re interested in finding out if your business could benefit from eddy current technology, this article discusses the different industries we work with at Olympus and the different applications our ECT equipment is used for.
Aviation and Aerospace
Eddy current technology is commonly used for crack and corrosion detection, and conductivity testing in the aviation and aerospace industries. Eddy current equipment is highly sensitive when detecting surface and subsurface cracks and corrosion, which is important in these industries where the smallest defects could cause costly or even catastrophic failures. Conductivity testing can be used to identify and sort ferrous and nonferrous alloys, and to verify heat treatment. Eddy current devices are used to inspect wheels, struts, propellers, airframes, hubs, engine components, and other key parts. Identifying flaws early can help reduce repair costs and meet strict health and safety regulations.
Oil and Gas
Eddy current equipment is used for crack detection in welds throughout the oil and gas industry. Nondestructive testing is critical for both the integrity of equipment and the safety of petroleum refining and extraction operations. Detecting cracks in welds in metal pipelines is critical in the oil and gas industry. Pipelines are one of the longest and largest types of infrastructure in the petrochemical industry, which makes fast NDT inspection equipment an important asset.
Shipbuilding
Eddy current equipment is used for crack detection in welds in the shipbuilding industry. Weld inspection is important in shipbuilding because, if the welds fail, often the structure will fail, and this leads to costly repairs and potential health and safety risks. The most critical flaws are cracks, lack of fusion or penetration, and undercut; it is these flaws that most quality codes and standards in shipbuilding are designed to avoid. Eddy current technology is highly sensitive to surface and subsurface cracks in welds, which helps manufacturers ensure high-quality welds and respond to any damage quickly.
Automotive
Eddy current equipment is used for inspecting components for defects and carrying out hardness and heat-treatment testing in the automotive industry. Eddy current inspection systems can be automated and added to the manufacturing process. A machine picks up a part or component, moves it into the test position, brings the test coil down on the part or lifts the part onto the coil, and sends the signal to the instrument. Automated eddy current inspections are fast, clean, and keep the line moving. Identifying defects in the automotive industry is essential for ensuring quality control and meeting health and safety guidelines.
Power Generation and Chemical Refinery
Eddy current equipment is used for tube testing and weld inspection in the power generation and chemical refinery industries. These industries require precise and reliable technology to inspect critical assets and ensure safe, cost-effective operations. Eddy current equipment enables remote inspection of areas unsafe for humans to operate because of hostile and dangerous conditions. Uses for eddy current equipment in the power generation and chemical refinery industries include the inspection of turbines, primary and secondary pipes, welds and vessel components, heat exchangers, reactor vessels, nuclear fuel pools, and more. Eddy current technology provides reliable and accurate condition inspection. Unidentified defects can be catastrophic in an industry that operates with dangerous chemicals and machinery.
Olympus offers leading eddy current flaw detectors. Users who work in the industries listed in this article benefit from cutting-edge technology that can help them meet strict quality standards and health and safety regulations. You can explore our range on our website.