The NDT industry is sort of an industry within many industries.
NDT stands for – Non-Destructive Testing. You will also see it referred to as NDE or NDI in some industries or regions of the world. All of the terminology is basically describing the same thing, inspection of materials, without destroying the product.
For example, maybe you work in a factory which manufactures:
- automotive components,
- drive shafts,
- transmission gears, etc.
It is important to inspect a sampling of the products that you manufacture. This ensures that parts are safe to use. They are within the manufacturing specifications. Using NDT Inspection verifies that parts are inspected in accordance with:
- various code books
- standards
- government requirements
NDT Industry Methods
You obviously don’t want to damage the products while inspecting them. There are several techniques that can be used to inspect the products without harming them. Some of the Non-Destructive Testing Methods used would include:
- MT – Magnetic Particle Inspection
- PT – Liquid Penetrant Inspection
- VT – Visual Inspection
- UT – Ultrasonic Inspection
- RT – Radiographic Inspection, and many more.
There are 16 NDT Methods recognized by ASNT – The American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, with several Techniques associated with each method.
NDT Techniques
Each method is broken down into NDT Techniques. For example, if you are involved in Magnetic Particle Testing, you may be conducting tests using a tool called an AC Yoke. This is a hand-held device which produces a magnetic field. Or, you may be working in an inspection lab situation where you are using a Magnetic Particle Bench Unit. This is a large unit which is able to speed up the inspection process. It is able to handle multiple items at one time and produce stronger magnetic fields than the AC Yoke.
NDT Industry Career Pathways
There are many ways and many opportunities to begin a career in the NDT Industry, so a single pathway is difficult to describe.
The two main NDT Career Pathways include:
- Work for a company which has an internal NDT Department
- Work for an inspection company who works across various industries for various clients
If you choose to work for a company which has an internal NDT Department, you will go to the same location each day to conduct inspections. The items will probably be those that your company manufactures. Or, you will be inspecting the equipment used in the manufacturing process.
However, if you choose to work for an NDT Inspection Company, you may be traveling across the country conducting inspections. You will be working for various clients from many industries. Some companies specialize in a specific industry, like oil and gas, or aviation. Others work across a variety of industries. Although the NDT Techniques remain the same, for the most part, working across industries requires more knowledge of the codes and standards.
The Purpose of the NDT Industry
The NDT Industry serves two main purposes:
- To ensure the safety of workers and the general public
- To ensure consistency in the quality of manufactured goods worldwide
Proper application of NDT Methods and Techniques makes the world around us more safe. Less things collapse and explode!
You are making a commitment to excellence when you choose to be part of the NDT Industry!
Your job will save lives and prevent accidents! You can take pride in a job well done. You’ll know that you are doing something that has a positive impact on the world around you.