Anode NDT Offers Reliable Radiographic Testing & Industrial X-Ray Inspection in Grande Prairie and Western Canada
Discover defects lurking in your equipment. Radiographic testing (RT) is a non-destructive testing method that uses radiation to discover flaws in materials before a catastrophic disaster.
Radiographic testing produces a 2-D image. With this image, both Anode’s technicians and our clients can interpret the part’s condition clearly. Understanding the condition of your equipment is a key part of keeping every job site safe and keeping all assets reliable.
Our technicians are highly trained and fully certified. Each technician holds several years of non-destructive testing experience for companies of all sizes in Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, Peace River, Fort St. John, and throughout northern Alberta and British Columbia.
Radiographic testing and industrial x-ray inspection work for a variety of equipment, including pipelines, facilities, pressure vessels, and more. This non-destructive testing method works for testing a new material or any in-service equipment.
Level II Radiographic Technicians
When you call Anode NDT, you receive experienced level II, CGSB/SNT-certified technicians. These highly trained and completely certified technicians guarantee every piece of equipment is tested to the best of our abilities.
How it Works
As a non-destructive testing technique, radiographic testing (RT) analyzes the structural integrity of a material by directing radiation through its surface. This locates any subsurface imperfections, including flaws in the weld or the material itself.
Once the radiation has been directed through the material, the equipment generates a 2-D image on radiographic film. This provides a complete internal and external structure of the weld. From there, a non-destructive-testing (NDT) professional interprets the results. Our clients receive the technican’s interpretation according to the code or standard for which the inspection is being performed. They’ll also receive any corrective action that needs to take place in order for the specimen to adhere to code.
Radiographic testing begins with thorough safety checks on equipment. Once complete, we clear the area of any non-nuclear energy workers.
We place a radioactive device on one side of the material and a radiographic film on the other.
We use the radiation to penetrate the part. This penetration leaves a shadowgraph on the film that shows the structural integrity of the material in 2D.
Our radiographic testing technicians interpret the results and inform the client of any potential defects.
We deliver a full report based on our non-destructive testing findings.
Radiographic Testing: Modern, Reliable Radiography Equipment
Modern equipment provides the most reliable results. At Anode NDT, we only use up-to-date equipment and programs to perform radiographic testing. This provides our clients with trustworthy test results to keep their job sites safe.
We also keep our service trucks up-to-date with international, non-destructive testing standards.
Radiographic Testing: Digital Reporting & Report Archives
Our digital reports exceed code requirements. These are completed each day by our team of technicians.
Anode archives these reports in a database. They’re available for our client’s future reference and also act as quality control of the project.
NDT Film Digitizing and Archiving
At Anode NDT, we prioritize the accessibility of your data. The results of our radiographic testing services are presented to you digitally, eliminating the need to store bulky film or purchasing equipment to view it on.
We also have the necessary equipment to digitize NDT film for storage on mobile storage devices. Our technicians can complete this for current and past projects, provided you have the traditional film.
While digitizing your NDT test results makes it more accessible, we know it can make it harder to keep track of. We keep extensive records of your NDT testing. At Anode NDT, we store the original film at our head office. The digital copy remains in our database in case you require another copy.
Radiographic Testing: By The Industry:
Radiographic testing, due to its non-destructive nature, has the potential to benefit several industries. We have years of extensive experience performing non-destructive testing to the following industries:
- Oil & Gas
- Construction
- Forestry (Pulp & Paper)
- Nuclear
Radiographic Testing: By Equipment:
Theoretically, radiographic testing can be used on any object. It’s commonly used to inspect the following for subsurface flaws and defects throughout Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, Peace River, Fort St. John, and throughout northern Alberta and British Columbia:
- Facilities
- Pipelines
- Gas Plants
- Bridges
- Custom Fabrications
- Industrial Facilities
- & More
Radiographic Testing Identifies Defects Such As…
- Lack of fusion
- Incomplete penetration
- Undercuts
- Hollow Bead, Porosity & Pinholes
- Tungsten or Slag Inclusion
- Burn Through or Icicles
- Internal Concavity
- High-Low Misalignment
- Cracks
Lack of Fusion
Radiographic testing identifies where the material was incompletely fused. As a lack of fusion results in a disconnect between the metal and the filler, these defects decrease the structural integrity of the material. Welds that aren’t completely fused present both a danger and cost-risk, causing companies to lose time, money, and possibly more.
Incomplete welds can be difficult to locate without radiographic or ultrasonic testing. Because they’re planar defects – it exists along a single plane or two-dimensionally – lack of fusion can go undetected in other inspection methods.
Incomplete Penetration
Radiographic testing also detects incomplete penetration. Incomplete penetration – poor adhesion of the weld to the parent material – occurs when the weld bead does not start at the roof of the weld groove. It can develop due to poor welding techniques, improper weld design, or unsuitable weld conditions.
Incomplete penetration is a problematic defect as it allows a natural stress riser, which can form cracks. Radiographic testing can identify incomplete penetration, saving your time and money from costly disruptions to daily operations.
Undercuts
Undercuts in welding is the erosion of the base metal that occurs next to the weld. These undercuts, also known as internal or root undercuts, occur when the weld fails to fill in the grooved area. These defects are costly and can cause decreases in productivity and speed.
Internal undercutting can be discovered through such non-destructive testing as radiographic or ultrasonic testing. Detecting these crater-like defects is vital to the efficiency of a pipeline and will prevent unnecessary, and costly, downtime.
Hollow Bead, Porosity & Pinholes
Radiographic testing catches porosity, also known as hollow bead or pinholes, in a material. Porosity occurs when gas pores are found in a weld bead. This defect is caused by the absorption and then solidification of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen into the weld metal.
Without detection, hollow bead or porosity can cause leaks, problems with flow rate, draughts, and excessive turbulence. Determining that porosity and pinholes exist in a material is the first step in preventing interruptions to regular workflow.
Tungsten or Slag Inclusion
Both slag and tungsten inclusions are easily detected by radiographic testing. These defects are caused by a material – in this case, either slag or tungsten – becoming caught and embedded in the weld.
A certain amount of slag and tungsten inclusions are acceptable, as long as they remain within code standards. Should these inclusions exceed the acceptable amount, the material is considered to be at risk of cracking or fracturing.
Our capable team remains up-to-date on the codes to ensure all equipment we inspect is within this acceptable amount.
Burn Through or Icicles
Burn through and icicles are both detectable with radiographic testing. Both these types of defects are caused by excessive penetration during the welding process. Burn through occurs when the metal melts from the root of the weld, while icicles occur due to fused weld metal droplets that extend beyond the weld root.
Burn through, if left undetected, can result in catastrophic leaks and material failure. As burn throughs lower the structural integrity of the material, the detection of this defect is vital to a safe and productive environment.
Left unfound, icicles increase the stress concentration on the material. Excessive amounts of icicles, if present, can indicate that the material needs to be replaced in order to prevent downtime.
Internal Concavity
Internal concavity, or suck back, are welds that have contracted into the weld root during the cooling process. These defects are easily detectable through radiographic testing.
Internal concavity poses a danger as it reduces the strength of the weld. When present in materials on job sites, suck back can reduce productivity and result in needless and expensive downtime.
High-Low Misalignment
High-low misalignment occurs when there is a material misalignment during the welding process. Material misalignment can be found through radiographic testing, as a trained operator can interpret the defect.
High-low misalignment is considered one of the contributing factors to various failures in various pipelines, including pre-service hydrostatic test failure or subsequent service failures. Ensuring your pipeline is free of this defect is vital in maintaining an efficient and productive worksite.
Cracks
Radiographic testing definitively detects the existence of internal cracking in your material. Cracks form a number of different ways. These cracks may be present as a result of welding errors. They may also be a result of the pressure the material is under, corrosion, or other reasons.
Cracks present a serious danger, as they can lead to leaks, breakages, and material failure. Understanding the types and severity of any cracks present in your equipment gives you the opportunity to avoid any catastrophic disaster or equipment failure.
Thinking Ahead: Radiographic Testing for Gas Plants
When not completed by qualified professionals, radiographic testing can lead to serious consequences. With years of experience with radiographic testing and other forms of non-destructive testing, we understand the need to remain in constant communication with our clients.
Radiographic testing at a gas plant, for example, emits enough gamma rays to trigger fire eyes. These sensors will shut down the gas plant, resulting in unnecessary and costly downtime.
To avoid this, our technicians inform gas plant operators when we’ll be completing the testing and all necessary procedures involved. We temporarily bypass the appropriate safety measures to safely and efficiently complete the radiographic testing.
Maintaining this level of communication prevents any avoidable downtime or other costly consequences while creating the most efficient environment to complete our testing.
Professional Radiographic Testing That Evaluates Equipment Integrity
Put your operation in the hands of our local professionals. Our certified technicians ensure all the parts on your job site are free of any deficiencies or defects. Since we’re local, we’re familiar with the area and travel with speed to Dawson Creek, Peace River, Fort St. John, and throughout northern Alberta and British Columbia.
All our technicians are multi-ticketed and fully certified. We employ highly experienced and competent individuals who deeply understand current safety codes and industry-recommended practices.
With Anode NDT, you can always expect high-quality radiographic testing results.
We Meet and Exceed Safety and Code Compliances
Safety is paramount to Anode NDT. Our technicians and procedures both emphasize efficiency and safe work practices. This includes:
- All Anode NDT procedures are ABSA demonstrated.
- Procedures are also backed with CGSB / ASNT Level III certified support.
- We proudly hold ASNT Level II certification.
- Our in-house safety program is ISNetworld , ComplyWorks and COR compliant.
Call us today to discuss radiographic testing or other non-destructive testing options for your business in
Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, Peace River, Fort St. John, and throughout northern Alberta and British Columbia.