Non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDC)
Do you want to carry out non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI) on your materials
The non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI) provide reliable solutions to analyze material integrity and detect critical defects without altering structures.
What does non-destructive testing/inspection involve?
Non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI) are a set of methods used to characterize the integrity of materials without damaging them. These tests can be useful during manufacturing, use, or as part of maintenance of the structure or material.
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The FILAB laboratory carries out non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI)
Why choose FILAB?
The FILAB laboratory, with genuine surface expertise, has a state-of-the-art analytical equipment park and a qualified team. It supports manufacturers of all sectors and sizes in implementing non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI) by tomography, radiography and AFM.
Methods of non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI)
X-ray tomography testing
Tomography is a technique for analysing and inspecting materials through radiation–matter interaction. It makes it possible to construct 3D images of the test object. Conducting a tomography test in the laboratory therefore does not involve destroying the sample used.
The non-destructive nature of tomography makes tomography testing particularly suitable for certain industrial sectors, such as art, luxury goods and manufacturers of large objects.
X-ray tomography can analyse the composition of the material and monitor how it changes in response to external stresses.
Essai et contrôle non destructif par tomographie x
Materials characterisation: metals, polymers, ceramics, glass, composites…
Surface analysis and coating characterisation
Surface analysis by X-ray microtomography
Failure analysis: cracks, fractures, corrosion, weld quality assessment…
Non-destructive testing or non-destructive inspection?
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) encompasses a broad range of techniques used to analyse or assess material properties without damaging them, often in research or development contexts.
By contrast, Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) focuses on quality control and inspection in industrial environments to verify that materials or structures comply with applicable standards.
NDT includes exploratory tests, such as evaluating mechanical or chemical properties, whereas NDI primarily aims to detect defects and failures (cracks, porosity, corrosion) or validate the integrity of parts in production.
In what contexts should non-destructive testing be carried out?
- Quality control : during manufacturing or assembly to ensure that materials meet standards and specifications.
- Preventive maintenance : to detect defects (cracks, corrosion, porosity) before they lead to failure.
- Post-incident analysis : to assess the condition of a component or structure after impact, overload or fire.
- Regulatory compliance : when an industrial sector imposes strict inspections, such as in aerospace, nuclear, or oil and gas.
- Cost optimization : NDT avoids destroying or dismantling expensive parts for inspection, thereby limiting production downtime.
Quality control by NDT: verifying material quality
FAQ
Destructive tests (DT) destroy the part to test its mechanical limits (tension, compression), whereas non-destructive tests (NDT) preserve the integrity of the material while detecting defects (cracks, porosity) for quality control or maintenance.
- Ultrasonic testing: to detect internal defects in thick materials.
- Industrial radiography: to inspect welds and complex parts.
- Dye penetrant testing: to reveal surface cracks.
- Magnetic particle testing: to detect defects in ferromagnetic materials.
- Eddy current testing: for the rapid inspection of electrical conductors. Each method is suited to specific requirements depending on the material, structure and type of defect being sought.
Non-destructive inspection is widely used in various sectors, including:
- Aerospace: inspection of safety-critical components.
- Energy: inspection of pipelines, tanks and nuclear components.
- Automotive: inspection of welds and metal parts.
- Construction: inspection of metal and concrete structures.
Magnetic particle testing is a method used to detect surface or near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials, such as steel or iron. The technique involves magnetising the part under inspection, thereby creating a magnetic field. If discontinuities (cracks, inclusions, etc.) are present, they disturb the magnetic field and cause leakage. A magnetic powder, generally coloured or fluorescent, is then applied to the surface. It accumulates where the field is disrupted, thereby revealing the defects. This process is rapid, precise and widely used in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and the metalworking industries.
