Conventional Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

CIMAs professionally certified technicians are dedicated to providing the inspection your company needs, using conventional or advanced methods as your situation demands. Our employees are dedicated to getting you an accurate professional report in a timely manner. Giving you the information when you need it to make the an informed decisions. We have been on the for front of data collection and electronic reporting and we can customize a solution that will interface with your Integrity Management System.

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Magnetic particle testing is a type of external inspection used to detect surface and slightly subsurface flaws in ferroelectric materials like iron, nickel, cobalt and some alloys. CIMA inspection uses the wet color contrast method of magnetic particle testing, which is suitable for remote locations and unpredictable weather.

After the area to be tested is cleaned, a CIMA technician sprays a thin coat of colored paint over the area. A magnetic field is then induced into the part using electric prods. Next, a wet solution containing suspended metal particles is sprayed onto the component’s surface. Surface and near-surface defects distort the magnetic field and attract the magnetic particles to the area, forming an indication.

Magnetic particle testing can be an excellent complement to radiography, as not all cracks or defects are reflected on an X-ray.

Liquid penetrant inspection uses specialized dye to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks and fatigue cracks. After the dye is applied, a developer is added to the surface of the test piece, drawing penetrant from the flaw to reveal its presence. This technique of bleeding dye through the surface is referred to as capillary action.

LP can be used on all non-porous materials, including metals, plastics or ceramics; however, magnetic particle inspection is often preferred for ferrous materials because of its subsurface detection capability.

Although CIMAs technicians are trained in the use of many types of penetrant chemicals, we typically recommend color-contrast, solvent-removable penetrant with a non-aqueous wet developer. This classification of penetrant is the most portable and can be deployed in almost any environment, whereas fluorescent penetrant requires darkened conditions and an ultraviolet “black light.”

Ultrasonic thickness measurement is used to gauge the thickness of a solid element based on the time an ultrasonic wave takes to return to the surface. Although commonly employed to monitor metal thickness or weld quality, UTM can also measure all common engineering materials, including plastics, composites, fiberglass, cement and rubber.

UTM has a high penetrating power and is quite sensitive, capable of detecting extremely small flaws deep within the sample. Ultrasonic gages only require access to one side of the test piece, making UTM perfect for items where the inside surface is difficult or impossible to reach. Ideal applications include pipes, tanks, tubing, containers, hollow casings, and large metal or plastic sheets.

UTM operates in temperatures from -40 to 248 degrees Fahrenheit and can measure thicknesses from 0.003 to 25 inches. Resolution can be as fine as 0.0001 inch.

CIMA uses modern ultrasonic gages that measure each point in only one or two seconds. Instant responses are displayed on a digital readout, suitable to upload to a computer for record-keeping or further analysis. UTM is truly nondestructive, requiring no cutting or sectioning of parts; is completely nonhazardous to operations and nearby personnel; and has no effect on equipment or materials in the vicinity.

Visual inspection is the oldest nondestructive testing technique and your first line of defense against material failure. Many of the most detrimental defects are surface-breaking and can be detected by the trained eye.

CIMAs inspectors employ magnifiers, microscopes, telescopes and other specialized equipment to provide quality assurance and successfully detect unacceptable surface flaws.

Our trained visual inspectors have received many certifications, including:

  • API-510
  • API-570
  • API-653
  • CWI Inspectors
Radiographic testing is one of the most widely used techniques of volumetric non-destructive testing and is often used to reveal internal, surface and sub-surface irregularities.

Radiographic testing is widely used in a variety of industry sectors including aerospace, power generation, construction, petroleum, chemical and automotive, and for all types of components and parts. The technique is commonly used on welded parts, castings, forgings, composites and is also used for corrosion mapping and the measurement of wall thickness.

It is a versatile method which can be performed in the laboratory or on-site on parts and components of varying dimensions. The radiographic technique uses X-rays or gamma rays to penetrate the tested component. The radiation is passed through the part and captured on radiographic film.

The benefit of using radiography is that it requires minimum surface preparation and provides a permanent record of testing.