What is Industrial Radiography?
2020NDT
You have likely heard the term “radiology†before when visiting the hospital or a doctor and associate the use of x-ray images to this term. Radiology, is simply a branch of medicine that utilizes radiographic technology (such as x-rays) to examine internal parts of the body without causing harm to a patient. This same technology can be utilized in business for structural or mechanical applications and is widely referred to as industrial radiography.
Industrial radiography uses beams of x-rays or gamma rays which pass through solid materials and provide an insight of the internal integrity and structural makeup of the object in question. This works in a very similar manner to a doctor using an x-ray to verify if a patient’s bone is broken or not. In essence, industrial radiography utilizes waves of energy (electromagnetic radiation) to inspect objects that are vital to your business, in areas which cannot be viewed easily or at all by the human eye.
Can Industrial Radiography Be Used for a Pipeline in Hinton, Alberta?
Yes, a great example of how industrial radiography can be utilized could be a site with high pressurized pipelines, which we have encountered quite often in Hinton and the surrounding area. If you were the manager of such a facility, you could effortlessly see into the structure of your pipelines and inspect weld joints to ensure their integrity. If there were any faults or cracks detected within the welds, the issue could be resolved quickly with minimized costs, instead of having a dangerous and extremely expensive weld failure down the road. Checking weld joints is just one of the many possible applications of radiography in the oil industry.
Does Industrial Radiography Damage My Equipment?
This testing and scanning process is completed without damaging any equipment or materials, which is why is it often referred to as a non-destructive testing method (NDT). In an industrial setting, the system or object that requires testing is often complex and built into a location. Removing components or layers of materials to view an internal piece of machinery is simply not an option, as it would be extremely expensive and laborious, but also would interrupt the production process and your output. There are also times when it is nearly impossible to access an object (such as an underground pipeline) without major disruptions to your infrastructure or site. In these cases, industrial radiography inspects the object ease, all in a matter of minutes.
How Do I Know If I Require Industrial Radiography Testing?
20/20 NDT Inc works with many different businesses from all over Western Canada, all of which have a wide range of non-destructive testing needs. If you are a business owner or manager and suspect a piece of your machinery or pipeline is not operating in the intended manner, testing should be conducted as soon as possible to ensure that a large scale malfunction does not occur.
In Northern Alberta, including the Hinton area, many clients utilize industrial radiography as part of their PM (preventative maintenance). This is a great way to ensure stable serviceability of a system or machine, especially when crucial working elements are beyond normal visual assessment.
Non-destructive testing is also incredibly valuable when planning for future business needs. Answering questions such as: What is the current state of our machinery/pipeline? Will the system require replacement investing in the near future? Is our current infrastructure suitable for selling to another company? Having this knowledge when running a business is crucial, and it can also be extremely valuable information when communicating with your clients or investors.