At Balsam Energy (UK) Services ltd, we have Experienced and LEEA qualified inspectors for your lifting gears inspection, LOLER inspection, crane inspection, load testing, proof load, cargo carrying units, hoisting equipment. All of these are inspected and certified to international standards. Feel free to contact us today for any of these services.
Non-Destructive Testing: Our team of experienced and certified NDT inspectors in the areas of magnetic particle inspection, dye penetrant inspection, ultrasonic thickness measurement, ultrasonic flaw detection are always available to carry out any of these services both at your base and offshore locations.
Magnetic Particle inspection:
Magnetic particle inspection (MPI) is a non-destructive testing method used for defect detection. The method is used to inspect a variety of product forms including castings, forgings, and weldments. At Balsam we use magnetic particle inspection for determining a component’s fitness-for-use.
Dye Penetrant Inspection:
This is a simple low-cost method of detecting surface-breaking flaws such as cracks, laps, porosity, etc. To be detected, the flaw must reach the surface to be tested.
Penetrant testing is one step up from visual inspection and offers many advantages, such as speed, large-area coverage and cheapness.
It is usually a six-stage process:
a) surface cleaning (degreasing etc)
b) application of a penetrant liquid (dipping, spray, brush)
c) removal of excess penetrant (solvent, water)
d) application of developer
e) inspection of test surface (visual, television camera)
f) post-inspection cleaning (anti-corrosion solutions).
There are three major groups of penetrant process:
a) water-soluble
b) post-emulsifiable with water rinsing
c) solvent removable, the difference being in the method used to remove the excess penetrant.
In each of these three groups the penetrant solution can contain a dye to make the indication visible under white light, or a fluorescent material which fluoresces under suitable ultraviolet (UV-A) light.
The choice of technique for any specific application is based on:
a) the surface finish of the specimen
b) the compatibility of the materials with the specimen
c) the sensitivity required
d) the size, shape and accessibility of the area to be inspected
e) the ultimate use of the component.
Fluorescent penetrants are usually used when the maximum flaw sensitivity is required.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement:
This is a Non destructive method used in monitoring corrosion and erosion. This NDT method is used to inspect metal thickness of piping and structural steels, pressure vessels etc.