Nondestructive Examination (NDE), commonly referred to as nondestructive testing (NDT), includes a wide variety of inspection techniques that examine material, manufactured products, and equipment in a manner that retains the component’s integrity for continuous operation. The purpose of NDE is to evaluate materials, components, and assemblies for the presence of defects, impurities, cracks, or corrosion, and to provide information to verify and/or adjust the remaining life prediction of equipment. NDE is applicable to many industries and is used at every stage of equipment’s lifecycle (e.g., operation, manufacturing, installation, etc.).
In manufacturing, NDE is utilized to assist with product development by screening incoming materials or components for desired mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties. It is also commonly used to comply with manufacturing standards put into effect by organizations such as such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). NDE is also used as a tool to verify proper processing of materials, such as heat treating, as well as verify proper assembly of equipment. For processing equipment, NDE is frequently used to evaluate the extent and rate of in-service damage, as well as to satisfy code and regulatory inspection requirements. NDE allows manufacturers to use lower cost materials and design based on an ability to inspect with in-service NDE — ensuring that the materials and design are sufficient for the specific application in which they are being used.
This Asset Intelligence Report contains the following sections:
- History and Development of NDE
- Techniques and Methodology
- Industry Applications
- Future of NDE
- Codes, Standards, and Best Practices
- Certifications
- Further Reading
As with other Asset Intelligence Reports, this document is not intended to serve as a comprehensive guide, but rather an introductory primer on conventional NDE and its applications across industries and equipment lifecycles. Since the information is provided in a condensed format, we recommend printing and laminating copies that can be referenced by you and your co-workers at your convenience.
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