NDT: Non-destructive testing
What is it all about?
The term non-destructive testing (NDT) covers various testing methods that define the quality of a component and can thus detect material defects. The material properties are tested superficially or internally without damaging or changing the component during the testing process.
PFINDER was the first testing equipment manufacturer ever to create a carbon footprint of the most widely used consumables for non-destructive materials testing in order to minimize their environmental impact. In doing so, aspects of occupational safety, environmental protection and economic efficiency must be considered as equally important factors. We call this GREEN NDT.
This label enables users to make decisions not only on the basis of technical and economic criteria, but also to reduce potential environmental impacts.
Magnetic particle testing
Magnetic particle testing, also known as fluxing, is a surface inspection method of non-destructive material testing in which defects in the material surface are displayed with the aid of a magnetic field.
Penetrant testing
Penetrant testing is a method of non-destructive material testing in which surface material defects can be displayed with the aid of so-called penetrants or testing agents.
What does GREEN NDT mean for non-destructive testing?
Many individual measures add up to a convincing sustainability concept. Since 2015, we have consistently made this visible with our own logo: GREEN NDT.
Users of testing equipment for penetrant testing and magnetic particle testing are increasingly focusing on the use of label-free and environmentally friendly products.
As a pioneer of highly biodegradable penetrants, PFINDER testing agents have been convincing customers for over 20 years with their special user-friendliness, high environmental compatibility and outstanding cost-effectiveness.
Sustainable non-destructive materials testing
The REACH Regulation has now entered into force in full. So has Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation). This adapts EU legislation to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
The GHS has been adopted by numerous countries worldwide and now also serves as the basis for international and national dangerous goods transport regulations.
The system, defined by the United Nations, is used to identify specific chemicals and inform users of the hazards involved. It also sensitizes users to the use of chemicals with reduced hazard potential and low environmental impact.
The continuous further development of PFINDER's test equipment aims to fully meet these requirements without affecting proven performance.
Into the future with GREEN NDT
Our team in the development department is working to translate the latest findings in materials research into even more environmentally friendly products and services, while at the same time providing application data from practice for science. Partnership for a better future.
Occupational safety with GREEN NDT
Why does PFINDER testing equipment increase occupational safety?
Through new product developments and enhancements of non-marking test equipment, PFINDER increases occupational safety and reduces potential hazards - while maintaining or even improving applicability. That is GREEN NDT.
What is non-labeled test equipment?
The CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures brings EU legislation into line with the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) - a system adopted under the United Nations to classify chemicals and inform users of their hazard potential.
The GHS has been adopted by many countries and now serves as the basis for international and national regulations for hazardous materials transportation. The hazards posed by chemical substances are indicated by standard messages and pictograms on labeling and safety data sheets. For greater occupational safety and higher application quality.
Product examples for non-marking test equipment:
PFINDER 900W
PFINDER presents another GREEN NDT product evolution that sets standards: PFINDER 900W, a penetrant without hazardous ingredients! In addition, PFINDER 900W convinces with a surprising combination of display sensitivity and removability, as required in series testing processes. Further GREEN NDT advantages such as very good biodegradability and compliance with all current standards go without saying.
PFINDER 240
A new development with exemplary character: The alternative to oil-based, black magnetic powder suspensions in the aerosol can. PFINDER 240 is a black magnetic powder suspension in an aerosol can - label-free, since it is water-based and contains a non-flammable propellant.
PFINDER 555
Test oils as a carrier medium for magnetic particle concentrates are usually labeled with "GHS08 Health hazard" due to the risk of aspiration. The newly developed PFINDER 555 fulfills all common requirements for a carrier medium for magnetic particle testing according to EN ISO 9934-1 and is label-free.
Environmental protection with GREEN NDT
Why does PFINDER testing equipment improve the environmental impact?
Non-destructive material testing and environmentally friendly testing equipment: We offer biodegradable indenters as a pioneer.
More than 20 years ago, PFINDER already achieved unrivaled standards through product innovations and further developments.
What is environmentally friendly test equipment?
Test equipment that must be disposed of after use in the form of hazardous waste is neither environmentally friendly nor cost-saving. PFINDER's expertise in formulating a test agent means that products can be offered that can be described as particularly environmentally friendly. Be it because they are biodegradable or because they lead to particularly low emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases compared to conventional products.
Biodegradable products
Wastewater is generated in the intermediate cleaning of the penetrant testing processes. If a biodegradable penetrant from PFINDER is used and the wastewater has not been contaminated by the process, it can usually be discharged into the sewage system without pretreatment. The official approval required for this procedure has been granted in numerous cases in recent years, almost without exception. By using our environmentally friendly testing equipment, considerable investment and operating costs can be eliminated.
At the same time, it is an active contribution to reducing harmful environmental effects. That is GREEN NDT.
Test processes with waste water treatment
Higher costs, worse environmental performance, unstable processes. Common processes used for wastewater treatment are:
- Activated carbon filtration: High energy demand in production and hazardous waste utilization.
- Ultrafiltration: High energy demand during treatment (> 20KWh per m3 wastewater)
- Evaporator: Very high energy demand during treatment (> 60KWh per m3 of wastewater).
- Precipitation: High costs due to special coagulation additives
On the other hand, discharging the wash water containing penetrant into the sewage system (indirect discharge) means
- Minimal process costs
- Stable process conditions
- Best possible environmental balance
- Only moderately increased water consumption due to multiple use of the wash water
The result convinces
In a direct comparison based on CO2 equivalents, indirect discharge is more environmentally friendly by a factor of 20 to 60, depending on the wastewater treatment method.
We will be happy to advise you in detail - also on all questions relating to environmentally friendly test equipment. We will also provide you with detailed comparative calculations for your process.
Reduction of CO2 emissions
In cooperation with "atmosfair", a non-profit GmbH based in Bonn, PFINDER is working to reduce the climate-damaging effects of NDT products. We call our initiative GREEN NDT.
Offsetting does not change the actual sources of CO2. However, as a second-best solution, it is necessary as long as avoidance is not yet possible.
- For PFINDER, an essential approach to actively reducing CO2 emissions is to actively advise test equipment users on alternative application techniques (instead of aerosol cans) and on using the biodegradability of various PFINDER test equipment, thus eliminating energy-intensive processing technologies.
The packaging form of the aerosol can results in a CO2 emission that is higher by a factor of 3.5 compared to the packaged product (canister / drum). Special application technologies can partly make it possible to dispense with aerosol cans without any loss of handling or quality. The financial amortization of such investments is also achieved in the 1st year, depending on the application. Environmentally friendly test equipment pays off.
Economic efficiency with GREEN NDT
Why does PFINDER testing equipment increase profitability?
Our powerful and innovative testing equipment offers you a cost advantage in the process chain - not only in procurement. This reduces process effort and costs to a minimum. That is economic efficiency with NDT.
A wide variety of product characteristics influence the inspection process and its costs. PFINDER knows what is important and ensures a cost-optimized solution with the right products.
Consultation by our experts with an analysis of the current situation usually offers starting points for astonishing cost advantages.
Economic efficiency with GREEN NDT: NDT process consulting
Always keeping an eye on the entire process, PFINDER develops improvements with regard to economic efficiency, environmental protection, and occupational safety. Only that is true sustainability. That's what we stand for. That is why we are pioneers in sustainability with GREEN NDT.
Economic efficiency with GREEN NDT: Process optimization
Are you interested in an analysis for NDT process optimization? We would be happy to look for potentials in your testing processes to save costs and increase efficiency.
This can include the following areas, for example:
- Test equipment consumption reduction
- Disposal options for process wastewater
- Savings in fresh water requirements
- Wet developer use without oven
- Penetrant testing without developer
- Optimum corrosion protection for magnetic particle testing equipment
- Elimination or reduction of the use of aerosol cans
- Aerosol cans for 360° application
Our experts have certified process training in Level 2 and Level 3 indentation and magnetic particle testing and have many years of industry process-oriented expertise.
NDT Product Brochure
Informative, compact and interactive
The complete standard program from PFINDER: Test equipment and accessories for magnetic particle and penetrant testing. Also: Descriptive process descriptions and information about PFINDER and the worldwide availability of goods.
FAQs
- What is the difference between UV-A, UV-B and UV-C radiation?Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which covers the wavelength range from 100 nanometres (nm) to 400 nm, is the most energetic part of optical radiation. UV radiation is not visible to humans and cannot be perceived by other sensory organs. Due to its physical and biological properties, UV radiation is further subdivided into UV-A/B/C radiation. UV-A radiation directly adjoins visible light. UV-C radiation borders directly on the range of ionising radiation. The shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the radiation and the more damaging it is. In the context of fluorescent magnetic powder or penetrant testing applications, only UV-A radiation should be used.
- Which conditions must be fulfilled in order to test with the help of a UV radiation source?For magnetic particle and penetrant inspection, the illuminance at the test surface during inspection must be < 20 lux and the irradiance measured at a distance of approx. 40 cm must be at least 10 W/m². To remove excess penetrant, as during intermediate cleaning, the illuminance must be < 100 lux and the irradiance at least 1 W/m². Furthermore, the UV radiation source must have its maximum intensity at 365 nm + 5 nm and a half-width (FWHM) of 30 nm. Care must also be taken to minimise light, whether visible light or from the UV-A source, that directly or indirectly strikes the examiner's eye.
- When is UV light/radiation used in PT or MT testing?In magnetic particle and penetrant testing, a UV radiation source is used when fluorescent test materials are used.
- What is a developer used for and when?The developer is used to bring the penetrant remaining in a defect to the surface so that the defect then becomes visible to the human eye. PT testing is usually performed using a developer. Only in exceptional cases, and after it has been demonstrated on the basis of tests that a PT test without the use of a developer produces at least the same results as a PT test with developer, can the PT test also be carried out without developer. However, this must then be agreed between the two parties (client/contractor).
- How do I remove excess penetrant from the test surface?Removal of excess penetrant must be done in such a way that the penetrant remains in the surface defects. An approved intermediate cleaner can be solvent-based or simply water. If water is used for removal, it can be applied by wiping, dipping or spraying.
- What characterises a very good penetrant?Provided that the sample has been tested according to EN ISO 3452-2, there are various other properties that characterise a user-friendly penetrant, e.g. easy removability on rough surfaces, safety in handling due to the absence of labelling of the agent, absence of odour and environmental properties such as biodegradability.
- When do I use fluorescent and when coloured/black magnetic particle inspection materials?Fluorescent magnetic particle inspection equipment is used when the assessment of the tested components is carried out with the aid of a UV radiation source. In a dark environment (</= 20 lux), the fluorescent dye with which the iron oxide particles are coated is excited and made to glow with the aid of a UV radiation source (>/= 10W/m²). Black or other coloured magnetic particle inspection materials are generally used for magnetic particle inspection under daylight conditions. In this case, a very thin layer of white undercoat paint is applied to the surface to be tested in order to maximise the contrast between the surface to be tested and the black magnetic powder suspension. Furthermore, coloured dry powders are often used to test very hot components. The maximum temperature at which such a magnetic powder can be used must be specified by the manufacturer. However, dry powders have a lower detection sensitivity for fine surface inhomogeneities.
- Which PFINDER products are available for magnetic particle inspection?PFINDER provides the following products for magnetic particle testing: - fluorescent magnetic particle testing equipment for testing under UV light - black magnetic powder testing agents for testing in daylight - concentrates for the preparation of a magnetic powder suspension for testing under UV - light or under daylight conditions - White background paint for testing with black magnetic powder testing agent - Test oils and cleaners for magnetic particle testing - Accessories for magnetic particle testing
- When is the magnetic particle inspection carried out?Magnetic particle inspection is generally considered a non-destructive method for detecting surface defects. It can also indicate inhomogeneities that lie just below the surface. Magnetic particle inspection can be performed on all ferromagnetic materials with a magnetic conductivity µ>100. Ferromagnetic materials are all types of steels and their alloys and cast iron. The exception is austenitic materials.
- Why does the MSDS say: "Harmful to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects", although the penetrant is supposed to be biodegradable?The note "Harmful to aquatic organisms" is a formulation from the safety data sheet (section for "environmental information" under "general notes") that refers to the respective water hazard class (WGK). The WGK classification of a test agent and the associated notes in the safety data sheet always refer to the test agent in the container / delivery condition. Biodegradability and corresponding expert reports refer to a defined concentration of the test agent in the wash water of the test process. From a WGK and other "environmental information", it is not necessarily possible to derive the discharge capacity of the wash water containing the test agent.
- What does "biodegradability" actually mean?Waste water is produced in the intermediate cleaning of the penetrant testing processes. If highly biodegradable penetrants are used and the wastewater has not been contaminated by the process, it can usually be discharged into the sewage system without pre-treatment. PFINDER has been offering suitable products for this purpose for over 20 years. The official approval required for this procedure has almost always been granted without exception. However, the use of environmentally friendly testing agents can also eliminate considerable investment and operating costs. At the same time, it is an active contribution to reducing harmful environmental effects.
- What does GREEN NDT mean?Many individual measures add up to a convincing sustainability concept. Since 2015, PFINDER has consistently made this visible with its own logo: This is GREEN NDT. In concrete terms, this means: the use of testing equipment for magnetic particle and penetrant testing with low hazard potential, right through to label-free and environmentally friendly products. And with uncompromising quality and technical performance for all PFINDER products.
PFINDER
THINKING AHEAD SINCE 1884.
Professional expertise, many years of experience and proximity to the customer - this is how PFINDER, as the inventor of cavity preservation in corrosion protection and in the field of indentation and magnetic particle testing, offers its customers real added value.
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