T: +44 (0) 1244 284848
Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT)
Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) is a versatile tool which can potentially be employed in almost any test where conventional ultrasonic flaw detectors have traditionally been used.
Phased array uses a probe made up of multiple small elements. The elements are controlled by software to transmit and received in a pre-determined sequence to scan the test item.
Weld inspection and crack detection are the most common applications and these tests are done across a wide range of industries including aerospace, power generation, petro chemical, metal billet, and tubular goods suppliers, pipeline construction and maintenance.
Phased array technology offers the following benefits:
- no health and safety implications with using ionising radiation;
- other work in vicinity need not be suspended during inspection;
- elimination of radiation protection measures;
- equal or higher reliability of examination in comparison to radiography;
- phased array can detect all defect types and characterise them in accordance with acceptance criteria;
- the ability to test welds with multiple angles from a single probe greatly increases the probability of detection of defects;
- simplification of inspection of components with complex geometry;
- profile remaining wall thickness in corrosion survey applications; and
- providing a permanent record of inspection, eliminating the requirement for film storage.
