X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
(OP)
I have a pressure vessel made from 6061-T6 about the size of a small air compressor that’s undergone proof testing. I’d like to do nondestructive testing on it to verify no cracking occurred during the test. Particularly curious about some slot/plug welds that we have on internal bulkhead flanges to the skin.
Borescope results show that bulkhead flanges are not in intimate contact with the skin away from the weld. The skin is pulled into contact at the weld. My experts are telling me that this will make UTI unreliable and pretty much meaningless.
1). Is that true? Can I not get meaningful results with an experienced UTI Driver?
2). If true, can it be x-rayed? My same experts are telling me that the xray results will be inconclusive because there is no way to put a plate inside the assembly.
Is there seriously no way to do anything more than visual inspection and DPI? Any suggestions on how I should proceed?
Borescope results show that bulkhead flanges are not in intimate contact with the skin away from the weld. The skin is pulled into contact at the weld. My experts are telling me that this will make UTI unreliable and pretty much meaningless.
1). Is that true? Can I not get meaningful results with an experienced UTI Driver?
2). If true, can it be x-rayed? My same experts are telling me that the xray results will be inconclusive because there is no way to put a plate inside the assembly.
Is there seriously no way to do anything more than visual inspection and DPI? Any suggestions on how I should proceed?
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RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
If you can't put a plate inside the assembly, can you not put the plate outside and the source inside (it'll be gamma rays not x-rays but still RT)?
RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
Exactly. A gamma ray source tube (Ir 192) can be inserted into a hole that is about 1/2" or so in diameter. Film is then placed on the outside.
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RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
Assume we don’t have easy access to the interior. In my simple mind, why can’t you just take an image at a 45,90,-45 angle with the source and plate on the outside or something along those lines?
RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
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RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
If you've got a pressure vessel, surely you've got a nozzle or some other penetration that you can insert a source through?
If you've got legitimate reason to believe there may be a volumetric defect, DPI won't help you, it's just convenient sometimes to discover a surface breaking defect with 'spray paint' before you go through the whole process of radiography.
RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
If you have no problem with those then go for it.
If you have a specific bulkhead you are worried about shoot from outside, film outside (2 shots).
One slightly off centre to one side, one slightly off centre to the other side.
Very hard to describe what I am trying to say - hope you understand.
Rather than us trying to describe to you - why not ask a reputable NDT company to come and explain what they can and cannot do ?
RE: X-ray Slot Weld on Assembled Pressure Vessle?
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