Non-Destructive Metal Testing

Why do you need non-destructive testing of your castings, plastic or machined parts?

If you are manufacturing or buying castings or machined parts and are meeting a quality standard, especially for aerospace applications, then you need to be sure that quality is met. Look toward non destructive testing services.

Typically, the criteria that concerns you are surface appearance and integrity, soundness of sections, and accuracy of dimensions. Who set that standard? Why are you meeting it? Most of all, is that standard really necessary for the functionality of the part or is it just adding unnecessary cost?

Often, a part may be designed by someone unfamiliar with the casting process or the nuances of machining and they rely on published quality standards that may or may not be appropriate for the parts actual application. They may specify a quality level higher than the design really requires, which serves no purpose except to increase the cost. And if the designer is an expert, then how does the end client be assured that the quality that they are paying for is being met?

At American Metal Testing, we will help you meet a standard that you are trying to achieve. A more favorable price and delivery can be obtained by first selecting the material specification (preferably ASTM) which meets the mechanical test requirement, and whose scope encompasses the service for which the part is intended.

The necessary quality level can then be established by specifying special inspection procedures such as visual, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, or radiography testing procedures.

Surface discontinuities are the irregularities, imperfections, or cracks that are found on the surface of the casting. Although some are of such size that they can be seen visually, others are either not visible or go unnoticed without special inspection methods such as magnetic particle or liquid penetrant examination. For the examinations to be meaningful as a basis for purchase, all parties concerned must use inspection methods that are standard.

While various methods of nondestructive testing exist to measure mechanical properties, chemical composition, casting soundness or maximum service loads, a single test that encompasses all these factors does not exist. A combination of nondestructive methods may be required to document the soundness and quality of a casting or metal part.

Fluorescent Penetrant

AEROSPACE Nadcap

AC7114 NDT

Approved Supplier for:

Boeing

Parker Aerospace

UTC

Mag Particle Inspection

Radiography

Put your metal to the test!

Learn about non destructive testing.

Transcription of video:

Chad: This is your part, your component. You've built this with integrity and soundness, and you want to ensure the quality is safe and compliant. How do you know it's flawless? There's just one way. Non-destructive testing. Welcome to American Metal Testing.
    Hi, my name is Chad Robinson, the responsible level 3 and technical manager here at American Metal Testing. We do non-destructive testing on Ferrous and non-Ferrous components. They initially start off with the florescent penetrant inspection, and then they'll be followed up with radiography if the customer requests it. The other method would be magnetic particle for the Ferrous components.
    The initial step required to move into non-destructive testing for the part is to have located on the print, the examination requirements, so I can follow them from there, because not all methods are suited for each part. Within 24 hours of receiving the product, we can typically provide a quote. Behind me is a fluorescent penetrant inspection. It is used to detect surface flaws in bulk quantities. It's an oil based florescent product that will illuminate under ultraviolet light to help locate flaws on the surface. After receiving a fluorescent penetrant indication, it's time to interpret and evaluate the indication. We evaluate it to determine whether or not it's an inclusion, shrinkage, or a crack. The standard we use for the method located behind me for fluorescent penetrant inspection is ASTM 1471. We are also Nadcap accredited for this method.
    At this station, we perform magnetic particle inspections. This is done by putting an electric current through the part to induce a magnetic field. The magnetic field is created by a current being induced through the part. We do this on Ferrous components. There's an oil based product that has small Ferrous particles in there that are attracted to the discontinuities. A bath is then supplied to the part that has the particles in suspension that would then be attracted to any flaws.
    Radiography is used to locate flaws internally to the component that you would not locate with fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspections. This is a controlled sealed tower to perform x-ray radiation. Various metals, from simple steel, stainless steels, exotic alloys. I'd like to think of it as an insurance plan to the product. It's an added inspection technique. An advantage to radiography is that we can inspect parts with varying degrees of geometry. As you can see, we can accommodate parts up to 3' by 3'.
    There are other companies out there that do provide non-destructive testing for these methods, however American Metal Testing is Nadcap accredited. We do a lot of aerospace here. The components for aerospace must meet the tightest specifications to ensure compliance of the print. We supply to the medical industry. We supply to firearms manufacturers, automotive. We can provide these services on sand castings, investment castings, forgings, machining parts. It's easy as 1 2 3. 1, just get me the print. 2, I need to know the acceptance examination criteria. 3, I'll get you a quote within 24 hours. My team and I will ensure that your products meet industry standard.