Phased array testing
What is Phased Array Testing?
Phased array ultrasonics (PA) is an advanced method of ultrasonic testing that has applications in industrial nondestructive testing. Common applications are to find flaws in manufactured materials such as welds. To test or interrogate a large volume of material, a conventional probe must be physically scanned (moved or turned) to sweep the beam through the area of interest. In contrast, the beam from a phased array probe can be moved electronically, without moving the probe, and can be swept through a wide volume of material at high speed. The beam is controllable because a phased array probe is made up of multiple small elements, each of which can be pulsed individually at a computer-calculated timing. The term phased refers to the timing, and the term array refers to the multiple elements. Phased array ultrasonic testing is based on principles of wave physics, which also have applications in fields such as optics and electromagnetic antennae.
Phased array is widely used in several industrial sectors, such as construction or power generation. This method is an advanced NDT method that is used to detect component failures i.e. cracks or flaws and thereby determine component quality. Due to the possibility to control parameters such as beam angle and focal distance, this method is very efficient regarding the defect detection and speed of testing. Apart from detecting flaws in components, phased array can also be used for wall thickness measurements in conjunction with other testing.
Phased array can be used for the following industrial purposes:
- Inspection of Welds
- Thickness measurements
- Corrosion inspection
- Flaw detection
Phased Array Equipment
The Olympus OmniScan MX2 phased array flaw detector offers superior inspection speed, data point density, and detection. With faster setups, test cycles, and reporting, it enables Tilley's to provide a faster inspection turnaround. The OmniScan has multiple 2D imaging capabilities. Scan Data is encoded, recorded, and delivered to customers and is viewable in TomoView. This enables customers to view and verify Phased array inspections.
The Chain scanner provides a manual pipe-inspection solution for pipes between 1.75 in and 38 in OD. The scans are encoded to provide discontinuity inspection along with the ability to provide true minimum wall thickness and corro-sion mapping.
COBRA Scanner
The COBRA manual scanner is able to inspect standard pipes as small as 0.84 in. OD to 4.5 in. OD. This scanner uses the OmniScan MX2 flaw detector
with the 16:64 module, and the MXU software to inspect circumferential welds on small-diameter pipes.
Scanned data from inspection is delivered to customer with final report. All encoded scans may be viewed by customer in TomoView. Data may be analyzed or verified at a later time.
Phased Array Examination has been approved for use in lieu of radiography according to B31.3. This enables companies to perform weld inspections without shutting down production or removing the material from the production area. This saves companies time and money.