Goshawk posted:TexasSP posted:I honestly am not familiar with the brand of UT equipment they are using. But the probe type and screen indicated to me what they were reading. Their is a plethora of UT equipment brands out there though. Ultrasonic testing pas thickness depends on the tech and their level of experience and expertise.
I am curious what other metallurgical type tests you would expect them to do? There is only some many methods that are nondestructive. The other most common is magnetic particle for detecting flaws and nonmetallic inclusions. Then there is dye penetrant for detecting cracks. They could also perform limited hardness testing with a Rockwell tester which adheres electromagnetically to the surface of the steel. Past this you get into testing which would require removal of material to be sent to a test lab. But honestly, I could only see doing this if you found some kind of issue through the other testing methods which required more data to determine the next steps.
Do you have experience with NDT? We use it a ton in aircraft maintenance!
Yes, I am with a major steel supplier in the upstream/downhole oilfield tool business. We use several types of NDT methods as described. The most common is UT for flaw detection utilizing straight beam, angle beam, shear wave, and phased array techniques, depending on the requirement and application. Methods are typically performed in accordance ASTM standards to specific calibration criteria per API or customer standards.
jim pastorius posted:This isn't the first time a steam restoration has been done, I think, they have it down pretty pat by now. I sure wouldn't want to cut a piece out of a boiler for testing.
I don't think anyone is suggesting anything is being removed. If something does have to be removed and repaired, modern welding techniques allow for repairs in which the weld itself is stronger than the original structure. I myself am outlining what the possibilities are with regards to testing steel and what would typically have to happen. Are you sure on your statement that "they have it down pat"? No one has restored a BB, and no one working on the restoration has probably ever operated one. I know little about loco restoration, but know enough about auto and other equipment restoration that every single one is unique and presents its own set of issues.
