ABM NDT Ltd

We are an ISO 9001 registered company.

We undertake all types of EN 1090 NDT work.

• MT, PT, UT & RT satisfying EN 1090 requirements.


• NDT of site work/installations


• NDT at the point of production


• NDT of raw materials prior to fabrication


• NDT of castings for structural use


• NDT procedure writing

History
Founded in 2018, ABM NDT Ltd is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of non-destructive testing services. We are able to provide Level 2 NDT services both in-house, utilising our extensive facilities and on-site at customer locations. We also provide Level 3 NDT services such as procedure writing/review, consultancy and dispute resolution. Furthermore we have recently begun offering materials testing services after constructing a laboratory at our Rotherham facility. Our aim is to provide high quality testing services to local, national and international customers enabling our clients to meet tight deadlines and budgets whilst satisfying end user requirements.

NDT Testing Services
We offer the following NDT Services:

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
• Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
• Dye Penetrant Testing (PT)
• Visual Testing (VT)
• Hardness Testing (HRC, HBW, HV, etc)
• Further information on each of the methods is described below.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Ultrasonic testing is a non-destructive testing method where pulses of ultrasound are introduced into the sample under test and by analysing the resulting echo or echoes an experienced operator is able to make a judgement of the quality of the part.

Some of the benefits of ultrasound are:

• Often cheaper than radiography, especially for large parts or high volumes.
• Can be advantageous over radiography on heavy sectioned parts or on dense materials.
• In many instances a satisfactory ultrasonic examination can take place with access to only one side of the part.
• Under some circumstances ultrasonic examination can take place whilst item under test is still in use, for example testing welds or wall thicknesses on pipework.
• Modern ultrasonic equipment is lightweight, highly portable and is powered by batteries and unlike radiography it poses no risk of ionising radiation to either the operator or people nearby.
• Accurate wall thickness measurements can easily be taken, often even under unfavourable conditions and with only one side accessible.

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT or MPI)
Magnetic particle inspection or testing is a method which can only be used on ferromagnetic materials, most commonly steel. The method works by either fully or locally magnetising the part and whilst the part is magnetised a small amount of coloured iron filings are applied to the area under test, this can either be in the form of a powder but more commonly in the form of a liquid suspension called magnetic ink.

Whilst the part is suitably magnetised any surface breaking defects (and some cases subsurface defects) will cause a disruption in the magnetic field. When the iron filings are applied they will accumulate around this anomaly and allow it to become visible to the operator.

Some of the benefits of magnetic particle testing are:

• A quick and relatively low cost method for finding surface-breaking defects, especially good at finding surface breaking cracks.
• A flexible technique that can be used to inspect products in many different industries and has been used to find defects in items ranging from 400 ton castings to small TIG welds in steel pipe.
• Portable equipment can be used for on-site work.
• Indications found by magnetic particle testing are by and large fairly easy for the operator to detect and correctly interpret.

Penetrant Testing (PT or DPI)
Penetrant testing, dye penetrant testing or sometimes shortened to dye pen is a method which can be used to find surface breaking defects on nearly all non-porous materials.

A bright dye is applied on the surface of the object and then left for a specified period of time. During this time dye will be drawn in to any surface breaking defects due to a phenomena known as capillary action. After the ‘dwell’ time has elapsed the dye is removed from the surface of the part, with care being taken not to over clean the part. After the part has been suitably prepared a special developer is applied, often a chakly suspension which is sprayed on in a thin coating, leaving a absorbent residue on the part.

Some of the benefits of penetrant testing are:

• A quick and low cost method for finding surface breaking defects.
• Highly portable, to conduct a basic penetrant test only three cans of aerosol consumables are required. Excellent for use in remote locations.
• Unlike MPI, penetrant testing can be used on any non-porous material, including stainless steels, magnesium, aluminium, glass and glazed ceramics.
• Indications found by penetrant testing are by and large fairly easy for the operator to detect and correctly interpret.