Advancements in NDE for utilities and the petrochemical industry through electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs)

M. O. Robertson; Donald M. Stevens; Daniel M. Schlader; Richard M. Tilley

doi:10.1117/12.302512

15 March 1998 Advancements in NDE for utilities and the petrochemical industry through electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs)

M. O. Robertson, Donald M. Stevens, Daniel M. Schlader, Richard M. Tilley

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3398, Nondestructive Evaluation of Utilities and Pipelines II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.302512
Event: Non-Destructive Evaluation Techniques for Aging Infrastructure and Manufacturing, 1998, San Antonio, TX, United States

Abstract

The ultrasonic testing (UT) method continues to broaden in its effectiveness and capabilities for nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Much of this expansion can be attributed to advancements in specific techniques of the method. The utilization of electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) in dedicated ultrasonic systems has provided McDermott Technology, Inc. (MTI), formerly Babcock & Wilcox, with significant advantages over conventional ultrasonics. In recent years, through significant R&D, MTI has been instrumental in bringing about considerable advancements in the maturing EMAT technology. Progress in electronic design, magnet configurations, and sensor concepts has greatly improved system capabilities while reducing cost and equipment size. These improvements, coupled with the inherent advantages of utilizing the non-contact EMAT technique, have combined to make this technology a viable option for many commercial system inspection applications. MTI has recently completed the development and commercialization of an EMAT-based UT scanner for boiler tube thickness measurements. MTI is currently developing an automated EMAT scanner, based on phased array technology, for complete volumetric inspection of circumferential girth welds associated with pipelines (intended primarily for offshore applications). Additional benefits of phased array technology for providing materials characterization are currently being researched.

Citation Download Citation

M. O. Robertson, Donald M. Stevens, Daniel M. Schlader, and Richard M. Tilley "Advancements in NDE for utilities and the petrochemical industry through electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs)", Proc. SPIE 3398, Nondestructive Evaluation of Utilities and Pipelines II, (15 March 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.302512

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