Faster Inspections of Welds and Stress Corrosion Cracking

The MagnaFORM™ scanner from Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Inc. (Waltham, MA) is a fast, reliable way to reduce the turnaround time of weld inspection and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) inspections. While conventional weld and SCC inspection methods require painted surfaces to be stripped before inspection and then repainted after, the MagnaFORM eddy current array (ECA) system enables inspection through paint. No more stripping and no more repainting. Easy-to-use eddy current software enables inspectors to evaluate the depth of surface-breaking defects and makes it easy to save data simply by pressing a key. Designed to work on even the roughest welds and corroded areas, its dynamic lift-off compensation helps ensure the probe remains sensitive to surface-breaking defects, making the data easier to interpret. All of the channels perform real-time lift-off compensation to maintain equal sensitivity. Using this scanner, inspectors can characterize SCC in heavily corroded areas.

Manual or motorized scanners are available to simplify inspection and help ensure proper coverage. This scanner enables users to inspect the entire weld surface in a single pass, helping reduce inspection time. Both linear and transverse indications are detected in the weld’s heat-affected zones (HAZ), toe, crown, and crevices. Some conventional inspection methods, such as penetrant testing, require users to wait for the test to develop. The MagnaFORM scanner provides real-time C-scan images so there’s no waiting. Using penetrant testing to inspect stainless steel pipes for stress corrosion cracking and welds for cracks can be a slow job. Many pipes are rough, dirty, or painted. Before penetrant testing can be used, the pipes must be smoothed and cleaned. If they’re painted, it must be painstakingly stripped off and the pipe later repainted. Here is a recap of the competitive advantages the MagnaFORM ECA probe provides over penetrant testing:

• No more paint removal and repainting. This probe works with the OmniScan® MXE flaw detector to deliver reliable imaging through paint, no stripping or repainting required to get the job done faster.
• Rough surfaces won’t slow down inspection. Dynamic lift-off compensation helps ensure that the probe remains sensitive to surface-breaking defects on rough welds and corroded areas. Even with up to 3 mm of lift-off, the detection remains reliable.
• Dirty parts are no problem. If the component being inspecting is dirty, wet, rough, or cold worked, the system’s signal-to-noise ratio remains high to help spot defects quickly.
• One setup for 304 and 316 stainless steel. With one predefined setup, both 304 and 316 stainless steel can be inspected and defects as small as 1.6 mm long can be detected.
• More coverage = faster inspections. This scanner can cover up to 65 mm (2.56 in) each scan to help get the job done fast.
• Won’t wear you down. The probe has replaceable wedges and built-in wear protection that will last for an estimated 22 km (13.7 mi) of inspection.

Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Inc., 48 Woerd Avenue, #102, Waltham, MA 0245, 781-419-3900, www.olympus-ims.com.