Initial Scores for  NDE Methods - Technique Selection Tool

The MMS15 project www.mms15.com is part of the DTI Measurement in Materials Systems programme (MMS) and is developing an Interactive Knowledge Base (IKB) on NDE of composites. A feature of the IKB is a technique selection tool (TS). This allows the user to answer a number of questions to define their inspection problem and suggests NDE methods that could be worth considering.

A spreadsheet of the Initial Scores can  be seen by clicking on the following links.  Email info@mms15.com or martin.wall@aeat.co.uk if you would like to comment on the scores, or use the scoring form to submit your own scores and experience.  Feedback from users of NDE methods is particularly welcome.

 

 

Demo Version

You can now see the demonstration version of the Technique Selection Tool now working on the development site via www.mms15.com  or www.ndt.aeat.co.uk/noticeboards/mms15iag/ikb enter UserID and password when prompted . Contact info@mms15.com  or call martin.wall@aeat.co.uk  if you need access details.

NDE methods in the IKB are split into Common, Specialised and Developmental. In the MMS15 Project detailed scoring and auditing is only being done for the Common techniques. The IKB multiplies the scores together for the questions that have been answered to give an overall ranking. The user can also see a table of the individual scores for each techniques with comments. A separate listing is given for Specialised and Developmental techniques as there is less experience of their application.  Scores are welcome for all techniques.List of NDE Methods

The NDE techniques included in the MMS15 IKB include the following categorised as Common, Specialised or Developmental. As agreed at the Partners Meeting in September 2004 :
Common Specialised Developmental
Common These techniques are commonly used and do not require specialised application
  • Acoustic Emission (AE) 
  • Acoustic Impact (AI) 
  • Laser Shearography (LS) 
  • Mechanical Impedance (MI) 
  • Membrane Resonance (MR) 
  • Thermography TT 
  • Ultrasonic B-Scan UB 
  • Ultrasonic amplitude C-Scan UC 
  • Ultrasonic depth scan (2D map of structure, colour represents depth, rather than attenuation) UD 
  • Ultrasonic thickness (A-scan) or 'Ultrasonic A-Scan' UA 
  • Visual (included enhanced) V 
  • X-Radiography XR

 

 These methods need more specialised expertise to apply. To be included the methods need to have been practically applied to composite inspection and there needs to be equipment out there that can be used.
  • Acoustography (AC)
  • Acousto Ultrasonics (AU) · 
  • Angle Probe Ultrasonics (AP) · 
  • Dielectric (DI) · 
  • Eddy Current Methods (ET) · 
  • Lamb and Guided Waves (LW) · 
  • Laser Ultrasound (LU) · 
  • Microwave (MW) · 
  • Polar Ultrasonic Scan (PU) · TOFD (TO) · Ultrasonic Backscattering (UK) · 
  • Ultrasonic Spectroscopy (US) · 
  • UT C-Scan Image Processing (UI) · Velocimetric (VE) · 
  • Velocity Measurement (Vm) · X-Ray Tomography (XT)

 

 These methods are developmental for application to composites. There may be significant research experience in the NDE methods but commercial application to composite materials is limited and generally there is not commercial equipment and services routinely available. In some cases application to other materials is well established.
  • CHIME Head Wave (CH) 
  • Gamma Radiography (GR) 
  • Lock-In Thermography (LT) 
  • Optical Holography (OH) 
  • Vibro Thermography (VT) 
  • X-Ray Backscatter (XB) 
  • X-Ray Refractometry (XR)

 

Auditing

The final scores for COMMON techniques will be Audited by Steve Burch from NNDTC and Robert Smith from Qinetiq as well as others invited to comment. the Audit process can be seen on the MMS15 website www.mms15.com  . The technique solution tool aims to suggest possible methods that users may otherwise have overlooked and points them to the more detailed information in the IKB to they can find out more.