TPT March 2011

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March 2011 95 ›
Inspection, Testing & Quality Control
SEAMLESS and welded tubes, which are
used throughout the industrial and process
segments (OCTG, energy, automotive, etc)
are inspected using non-destructive testing
(NDT) techniques. Automated ultrasonic
testing (AUT) is a major method applied
in line with the manufacturing process in
pipe mills.
The scope of testing is defined in relevant
specifications based on the end use of the
tubes.
Typical flaw orientations can be
longitudinal, transverse and oblique, as well
as lamination flaws. Because of the demand
for so-called full body inspection, different
scanning technologies can be applied,
depending on tube diameter and required
throughput or testing speed.
The inspection technologies business
of GE Measurement & Control Solutions
offers a wide range of scanning methods,
to match the pipe mill environment. These
include probes in immersion tanks with
helical transport of tubes; probes in cluster
configuration with stationary rotating tubes;
probes in rotary heads with linear tube
transport; and phased array probes in
circumferential arrangement with linear tube
transport.
In addition to these ultrasonic testers
for seamless tubes, GE offers a range of
automated ultrasonic testing machines for
welded pipes (ERW and SAW).
GE Measurement & Control Solutions –
Germany
Email:
Website:
Ultrasonic tube testing technology
Probes in an immersion tank,
where conventional or phased
array probes can be installed