High efficient nondestructive testing based on instrument integration and signal fusion of array eddy current testing and phased array ultrasonic testing method
Abstract
With the development of modern industry, the inspection techniques for fields such as power, petrochemicals and railways have become increasingly complex. From weld inspection on high-pressure pipelines to internal defect detection in composite materials, the demands on the precision, efficiency, and compatibility of non-destructive testing (NDT) are increasing significantly. Traditional inspection using a single NDT method faces clear limitations: when conducting inspections at different times, results can vary due to parameter or environmental differences, increasing the risk of misjudgment; furthermore, operation requires frequent switching between equipment, reducing efficiency, while the procurement and maintenance costs for multiple devices place a heavy inspection burden. To overcome these difficulties, a high-efficient NDT technology based on instrument integration and signal fusion of Array Eddy Current Testing (AECT) and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) technologies is developed in this study. In principle, AECT is good at rapidly identifying surface and near-surface small cracks and corrosion thinning, while PAUT can penetrate into deep material to locate internal voids and delamination defects. Therefore, combining these two NDT methods can realize comprehensive “surface + internal”, i.e., volumetric inspection, addressing the blind spots of each single method. Based on this idea, an integrated instrument of AECT and PAUT was developed, incorporating both technologies into a portable device and initiating a new solution of efficient inspection. Practical applications show that the integrated instrument can reduce inspection time by over 50% compared to traditional devices, while also lowering equipment costs. By fusion of signals from multiple technologies, it can also improve defect identification accuracy, offering an efficient and economical solution for NDT of modern industries and promoting the development of NDT technology towards “multi-functional integration, high-efficiency operation, and high-precision interpretation.”