Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
From a practical perspective, the new phased array systems are relatively easy to use and are portable, thus<br />
allowing easy access to the inspection location. This is in sharp contrast to older phased array systems that<br />
were essentially immobile, quite heavy and thus difficult to deploy. Lastly, from the commercial perspective<br />
these systems have now come down in price to a level that they can be used by organisations that span<br />
many different fields. This has also led to a corresponding lowering <strong>of</strong> cost that has allowed their usage<br />
in many new commercial applications. It is these three factors acting together that have driven the large<br />
increase in phased array usage.<br />
Nevertheless, phased array testing remains an ultrasonic testing technique and the fundamentals <strong>of</strong> physical<br />
principles shall be kept in mind by the operators. The application <strong>of</strong> such a technique needs specific training,<br />
verification <strong>of</strong> the competencies and careful verification <strong>of</strong> the procedures.<br />
IIW Sub Commission V-C has prepared a “Phased Array Handbook” to be issued soon by DVS media GmBh.<br />
ASME has published separate Code Cases on phased arrays to cover both manual and encoded scanning.<br />
These Code Cases specify many <strong>of</strong> the parameters and requirements for performing phased array inspections.<br />
ASME VIII Div2 and B31.3 defines the use <strong>of</strong> ultrasonic testing in lieu <strong>of</strong> RT inspection and the acceptance<br />
criteria to apply. Phased array or Time <strong>of</strong> Flight Diffraction method (TOFD) can comply.<br />
Figure 5.15 Phased array inspection in lieu<br />
<strong>of</strong> radiographic inspection on welds in piping<br />
(according to ASME B31.3)<br />
(Reproduced courtesy: Institut de Soudure)<br />
Figure 5.16 Examples <strong>of</strong> Phased array inspection results (Reproduced courtesy: Institut de Soudure)<br />
ISO standardisation now takes into account TOFD and phased array inspection related to the weld quality<br />
class defined in ISO 5817 provided the corresponding testing and acceptance levels as defined in ISO 17635<br />
are met.(see Figure 5.17).<br />
46 <strong>Improving</strong> <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong> Through Optimum Use and Innovation <strong>of</strong> Welding and Joining Technologies