Testing serves an important function in virtually all manufacturing processes. It ensures that the final product’s quality matches the design specifications and is fit for the service environments it will operate in.<\/p>\n
There are many ways to classify testing techniques. One of the most popular classifications is destructive and non-destructive testing.<\/p>\n
In this article, we shall take a deep dive into what non-destructive testing (NDT) is, some of its popular types and its applications in some common industries.<\/p>\n
Non-destructive testing refers to the use of testing techniques that do not alter any of the properties of the tested product. These properties could be its strength, integrity, appearance, corrosion resistance, conductivity, wear resistance, toughness<\/a> and so on.<\/p>\n Non-destructive testing is also known as non-destructive evaluation, non-destructive analysis, non-destructive examination and non-destructive inspection.<\/p>\n When the product passes an NDT test, it can still be used. There\u2019s no detrimental effect on the specimen because of the test.<\/p>\n This advantage makes non-destructive testing a very useful method for products that are freshly manufactured as well as for those that are already in service.<\/p>\n When the scope of work is simple, using a single NDT process may be sufficient. But in a lot of cases, a combination of techniques and test methods are used for concrete information about the product characteristics.<\/p>\n Non-destructive and destructive testing have some similarities in their objectives but there are significant variations in the core use cases and application methods. In this section, we shall compare and contrast them based on some important factors:<\/p>\n Purpose<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cost efficiency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Time<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Wastage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Safety<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reliability of results<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The purpose of each type of testing is to ensure that we have a safe product. With destructive testing, however, the intention is to find the operational limits for a product through tests such as fatigue and tensile tests<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the other hand, with NDT, we check whether a manufactured product or one that is already in service is good enough to function satisfactorily in its service environment. We may also use it to assess the extent of wear and tear<\/a> such as the use of ultrasonic thickness measurement for steel plating of ships.<\/p>\n There are two ways in which non-destructive testing is more cost-efficient compared to destructive testing.<\/p>\n Firstly, it does not damage the test specimen. After evaluation through NDT, it will remain just as effective as before and can be put into service right away.<\/p>\n Secondly, NDT can identify potential issues in machinery that is in service, such as a pressure vessel, and recommend replacement before failure occurs, thereby saving breakdown costs that are far costlier than temporary planned downtime for a single part replacement.<\/p>\n When it comes to time, NDT is more effective again. Destructive methods by nature are far more time-consuming processes. This is mainly because destructive testing processes are mostly manual and we can automate fewer components of it. They also require longer preparation and inspection times.<\/p>\n NDT, on the other hand, does not even always need the removal of parts from service thereby saving valuable time. For destructive testing, work must be halted and machines stopped for testing which increases downtime.<\/p>\n Difference Between Non-Destructive and Destructive Testing<\/h2>\n
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Purpose<\/h3>\n
Cost efficiency<\/h3>\n
Time<\/h3>\n
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