Radiographic Testing (RT)

In radiographic testing (RT), a source of X or gamma radiation is used to produce an image of the
component on photographic film (by placing the radiation source on one side of the component and the
film on the other). Following exposure to radiation, the film is then processed and then viewed on an
illuminated screen for visual interpretation of the image. Radiography gives a permanent record (the
exposed film), which is a major advantage of the method, and is widely used to detect volumetric flaws
(surface and internal).

X-ray equipment ranges from about 20kV to 20MV (the higher the voltage the greater the penetrating
power of the radiation and the greater the thickness of component that can be tested). Gamma
radiography is carried out using radioactive isotope sources (e.g. Cobalt-60, lridium-192) although its
sensitivity is generally less than that achievable by X-ray radiography. lt is widely used for fieldwork
because of its greater portability.

The reliability and interpretive value of radiographic images depend on their sharpness and contrast and
this is important for the inspector to detect flaws accurately. An Image Quality Indicator (IQI) is placed on
the part so that its image will be produced on the radiograph and a standard for sharpness and contrast
can be determined.

One drawback of Radiographic Testing is the inherent danger of using a radio-active source which
requires stringent safety measures and means a large area around the RT testing site must be closed off
before any inspection can start. Recent advances in technology have allowed for safer radiation sources
that are suitable for many RT inspections and Dacon now offers these solutions as the core focus of our
RT services.

Dacon’s focus has always been on using technology to improve inspection services for our client’s needs
and when it comes to Radiographic Testing there is no exception. Dacon combines Computed
Radiography with Baby Scar source technology to increase inspection efficiencies and reduce down time
on work sites.

Computed radiography uses phosphor storage plates to capture and store images on a computer as
opposed to traditional film. This allows for lower exposure times and easier image processing. Small
Controlled Area Radiography (SCAR) is a safer form of radioactive source that reduces the field of
exposure and thus minimizes disruption to other activities.

By using computed radiography in combination with SCAR technology we are able to perform RT testing
without the need to shut down a large area and thereby save our clients’ time and money. Contact Dacon
to find out more about the latest Computer Radiography testing methods.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT Testing)
Ultrasonic Testing, also called Ultrasonic Flaw Testing or simply UT, uses high frequency ultrasonic
waves to detect surface breaking and internal imperfections, measure material thickness and determine
acceptance or rejection of a test object based on a reference code or standard. Flaw detection is a fast
and accurate inspection method to evaluate internal product integrity. Ultrasound penetrates deeply into
materials searching for defects, cracks, delamination, lack of bonding and other discontinuities.

Shear wave Ultrasonic Testing or A-scan testing transmits an ultrasonic wave at a predetermined angle
into the test material. Surfaces normal to the beam path and cornertraps reflect the wave energy back to
the transducer. The display shows the distance the wave travelled to the imperfection and the relative
strength of the energy.

Ultrasonic Testing is mostly used to guarantee the integrity of critical welds in process equipment or
structures but can also be used to detect and/or quantify defects occurring in other locations. The testing
is often applied directly after the welding process. If welds are identified to be out of specifications, the
weld will be grinded down and re-welded. Ultrasonic Flaw Testing has big advantages over RT as there
are no radiation risks and it does not interfere with work in surrounding areas.

There are many different advanced Ultrasonic Testing techniques and variations of the technology such
as Phased Array and Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) and Dacon is well qualified in all UT techniques
from thickness gauging through to corrosion under support testing.

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of Ultrasonic Testing are:

 Internal defects can be detected and sized

 Same time frame needed for measuring thick or thin test pieces
 Only need to access one side of the test piece
 No radiation hazard
 Planar defects of any orientation can be detected
 Operator skill and experience is essential
 No permanent record of the inspection as there is in radiography
 Misreading of signals, can result in unnecessary repairs
Liquid Penetrant Testing
The liquid penetrant examination method is an effective means for detecting discontinuities which are
open to the surface of nonporous metals and other materials such as plastics, glass, and ceramics.
Typical discontinuities detectable by this method are cracks, seams, laps, cold shuts, laminations, and
porosity.

The liquid penetrant contains either a coloured dye easily seen in white light, or a fluorescent dye visible
under black (ultraviolet) light. The penetrant is applied by dipping, spraying, brushing, or flowing. After
penetrant application, a sufficient time (dwell time) is provided to permit the penetrant to permeate the
flaw.

Dacon Penetrant Testing Videos:

Penetrant Testing (PT) - NDT Inspection Technique

Fluorescent Penetrant Testing - NDT Inspection Technique

Prior to each liquid penetrant examination, the surface to be examined and all adjacent areas within at
least 1 in. (25 mm) shall be dry and free of all dirt, grease, lint, scale, welding flux, weld spatter, paint, oil,
and other extraneous matter that could obscure surface openings or otherwise interfere with the
examination.

The liquid penetrant can be examined by PT or FPT method, for the highest sensitivity a fluorescent
Penetrant in combination with a black light is available. PT can only find surface breaking defects, needs
a very thorough surface preparation and has a high sensitivity. This cleaning and preparation does result
in fluids and contaminated cleaning materials that do need to be correctly disposed of after use

This testing method is capable of finding very small flaws and can be used on different materials and
small, difficult shaped objects. As the liquid penetrant testing technique is relatively simple it is easy to
understand and training is not extensive.

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)

The magnetic particle testing method may be applied to detect cracks and other discontinuities on or near
the surfaces of ferromagnetic and electrically conductive materials. Magnetic particle examination
techniques thus allow the detection of surface breaking cracks in steel objects of complex geometry,
which typically is a challenge for RT methods. The sensitivity is greatest for surface discontinuities and
diminishes rapidly with increasing depth of subsurface discontinuities below the surface. Typical types of
discontinuities that can be detected by this method are cracks, seams, laps and cold shuts.

Direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) are both suitable for magnetizing parts for MT. The
primary difference between the two currents is, the fields generated by DC penetrate the cross section of
the part, and the fields generated by the AC are confined to the metal at or near the surface of the part.
Therefore, AC should not be used for subsurface discontinuities.

Before commencing each magnetic particle test, the surface that is going to be examined and all adjacent
areas within at least 1 in. (25 mm) shall be made dry and free of all dirt, grease, lint, scale, welding flux,
weld spatter, paint, oil, and other extraneous matter that could obscure and obstruct surface openings or
otherwise interfere with the examination.

Magnetic particle testing is easy to understand and the training needed to complete this inspection
method is straightforward. This is a good method for detecting surface cracks of all sizes in weld and
other areas and although easier to use than radiographic testing it is limited to use with ferromagnetic
materials. Ahead of any magnetic particle test the surface area does need to be well prepared and any
paint and coatings must be removed which can be time consuming.

Either dry or wet magnetic powders may be used for magnetic particle testing. Dacon is not only a
provider for magnetic particle testing services but also the distributor for Bycotest magnetic particle
products in Thailand and Asia.

Positive Material Identification (PMI)

The Dacon used X-MET 3000T is a portable, wide range Positive Material Identification (PMI) elemental
analyser intended mainly for alloy applications. It is based on energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence
technology and the use of X-ray tube. The unit provides a quick field or laboratory method for chemical
analysis or sample identification (sorting) directly from metal samples of various forms. It obtains the
grade ID of a sample in two to five seconds, with full report in five to 10 seconds. The reports are
automatically generated and identify all main element groups.

All stored data can be transferred to a PC via USVB cable. The unit is small and portable and ideal for
data collection and storage in the field and is operated by only 1 inspector. The accuracy of the PMI unit
is +/- 5%. The unit is calibrated by a 3rd party yearly and is accurate for elements including Cr, Ni, Mo, Ti,
Cb, Ta, W, Co, V. Approximately 100 locations can be analysed per day. Grinding/preparations of sample
surface are required prior to inspection.

The X-MET 3000T is factory calibrated for:

 Low alloy steels

 Stainless steels
 Tool steels
  Nickel alloys
 Cobalt alloys
 Copper alloys

Hardness Testing
Hardness is the property of a material that enables it to resist plastic deformation, usually by penetration.
However, the term hardness may also refer to resistance to bending, scratching, abrasion or cutting.

Hardness of materials has long been assessed by resistance to scratching or cutting. An example would
be material B scratches material C, but not material A. Alternatively, material A scratches material B
slightly and scratches material C heavily. Relative hardness of minerals can be assessed by reference to
the Moths Scale that ranks the ability of materials to resist scratching by another material. Similar
methods of relative hardness assessment are still commonly used today. An example is the file test
where a file tempered to a desired hardness is rubbed on the test material surface. If the file slides
without biting or marking the surface, the test material would be considered harder than the file. If the file
bites or marks the surface, the test material would be considered softer than the file.

The above relative hardness tests are limited in practical use and do not provide accurate numeric data or
scales particularly for modern day metals and materials. The usual method to achieve a hardness value is
to measure the depth or area of an indentation left by an indenter of a specific shape, with a specific force
applied for a specific time. There are three principal standard test methods for expressing the relationship
between hardness and the size of the impression, these being Brinell, Vickers, and Rockwell. Each of
these methods is divided into a range of scales, defined by a combination of applied load and indenter
geometry.

Hardness Testing Methods:

1. Rockwell Hardness Test

2. Brinell Hardness Test
3. Vickers Hardness Test
4. Microhardness Test
5. Mohs Hardness Test
Helium Leak Detection
The Helium Leak Detection method is used to find small leaks in pressure vessels and other contained
systems and is often used where other pressure testing techniques are not suitable due to operational
restrictions or where leaks are so small that other techniques cannot identify the location.

Helium is used because it is one of the smallest gas molecules and is relatively safe to use as it is inert
and will not react with any of the materials within the part to be tested. Helium is a superior choice as
tracer gas for a number of reasons including:

 It is inert, non-toxic and non-flammable

 It can pass easily through leaks due to its small atomic size, allowing the detection of very small
leaks
 It is present in the atmosphere at only 5 ppm,
 It is highly mobile, allowing rapid desorption and short measurement time

A mass spectrometer or helium sniffer is used to detect helium although it is possible to use a residual
gas analyser. Helium leak testing is many times more sensitive than using other leak detection
techniques. Helium is in short supply globally and can be expensive and must be sourced locally and for
this reason it is required that the client sources the helium gas to be used for the inspection.

Dacon uses the PHD-4 which is a portable compact leak detector which includes a battery for
autonomous use in the field and uses helium as a tracer gas. The PHD-4 principle of operation is based
on a Varian patented technology, Selective Ion Pump Detection (SIPD). The sensor incorporates a quartz
capillary tube maintained under high vacuum by an ion pump. The quartz tube is heated with a platinum
filament and becomes permeable to helium. As the partial pressure of helium in the ion pump increases,
so does the current drawn by the ion pump, proportional to the pressure, indicating the helium
concentration present in the test probe of the PHD-4. These characteristics make the PHD-4 the ideal tool
for Helium Leak Detection.
Paint and Coating Inspection (NACE)
Dacon provides all required paint and coating inspection services, whether for marine environments or
plant service. Inspection,verification and reporting is done in accordance with NACE procedures by
certified inspectors. Client consultation and QA/QC on paint/coating related matters is also provided.

One of the techniques we use is the wet sponge technique. The wet sponge technique is used for
locating pinholes through a nonconductive coating to a conductive substrate. A sponge moistened with a
wetting agent, is supplied with a low voltage. When the sponge is moved over a pinhole, liquid penetrates
to the substrate and completes the electrical circuit. The resulting current flow generates an audible alarm
in the detector. This method is both an economical and cost effective method of testing for coating flaws
in tank linings and pipework.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to this inspection method as outlined
below:

 It is a very low cost method

 It is easy to use and extensive training is not needed
 It is a non-destructive test.
 The inspection area must be dry and free of moisture
 Locating a holiday after indication can be time consuming
Boiler Inspection Services
This service covers maintenance inspection, repair, alteration & operating procedures for boilers used
across all industries.

The boiler and it’s components are built with assumed nominal design and reasonable life of operation of
about two to three decades (one or two hundred thousand hours). These units are generally replaced or
their life is extended at the end of this period.

Under normal operating conditions, and after an initial period of teething troubles, the reliability of these
units remains fairly constant up to about two decades of normal operation. The failure rate is then
increased as a result of their time dependent material damage. Further running of these units may
become un-economical and dangerous in some cases.

By initiating timely preventive measures and by way of proper maintenance refurbishment actions, it is
possible to retain these units in service safely, reliably and economically for many more years. A life
extension program comes in handy here. One of the most important steps involved in life extension
strategies is the assessment of the remaining life of the existing components so that required timely
refurbishment steps can be introduced to extend the plant life. Remaining Life Assessment (RLA)
becomes a necessary evil.
Various tests that are carried out for the CARLA are:

 Collection of background data and operating history of boiler.

 Thorough Visual Examination by a boiler expert.
 Swell test or dimensional check.
 Collection of deposits and scales for laboratory analysis.
 Insitu oxide thickness measurements.
 WFMT/PT of selected critical weld joints.
 Detailed thickness survey.

Reporting
The final report is generated with all the test results analyzed and evidence of damage recorded.
Recommendations are made to attain longer, more reliable and safer operations of the boiler.

Recommendations
Based on the findings and analysis of the test results a 3R decision is made to either Run the boiler,
Repair the boiler or Rerate the boiler for safe operation and enhancement of boiler efficiency.
Crane Inspection
Crane inspection is a detailed visual and operational inspection whereby individual components of the
crane and lifting gear are examined to determine their condition. Crane Inspection is performed as often
as quarterly or/and semi-annual based on the service requirements.

Dacon has the capability to inspect all crane types including: Mobile, Gantry, Tower, Pedestal, Jib,
Overhead Cranes and Hoists.
The benefits of crane inspections are:

 Properly maintained cranes are essential for safe and productive operations, and are critical
factors in reduced maintenance costs and extended equipment life.
 Increased Reliability of Equipment
 Achieve Regulatory Compliance and Best Industry Practices
 Increase Productivity
 Reduce risk of accidents, injuries, and death

The main elements of a crane inspection are:

 The crane structure

 The crane installation on secured structure
 The crane’s counterweight installation on secured base
 The power system
 The protection guard of rotating parts
 The control system of crane
 The hydraulic and the pneumatic system
 The limit switches
 Movement on the track
 The lifting weight controller
 Sling roll, sheave and hook

Dacon Inspection Service is a certified crane inspection company with many years of experience in the
field. Strictly working to local and international regulations and inspection standards, Dacon provides the
highest quality inspection and verification service for safe and uninterrupted crane operation.
Lifting Gear Inspection
Lifting gear inspection is a detailed visual and operational inspection whereby individual lifting gear items
are examined to ensure their integrity and ongoing safe operation for lifting operations. Lifting gear
inspections are performed on a regular basis depending on the standards and specifications of the
equipment and its usage. Generally 6 monthly inspection is used as the guideline.

Dacon has the capability to inspect all fixed and loose lifting gear types including:

 Padeyes, Runway beams, Swing jibs

 Air winches, tuggers and other similar units
 Baskets, containers, skips, gas racks and lifting frames
 All loose lifting tackle (slings, shackles, webbing and so forth)
 All lifting machines (chain blocks, lever hoists, pulling machines etc)
 Lifeboat and life raft davit/deployment systems
 Cranes
 Forklifts
 Tubular handling equipment and related items
 Anchor winches and associated plus towing assemblies
 Cantilever hold downs and beams

In addition to lifting gear inspections Dacon can perform load test inspections compliant with international
standards and codes.
The main NDT inspection techniques used for lifting gear inspections are:

 Eddy Current Testing

 UTM
 Close Visual Inspection
 Magnetic Particle Testing
 Load Testing
 Bolt Testing
 Others As Required

Dacon Inspection Service is a certified lifting gear inspection company with many years of experience in
the field. Strictly working to local and international regulations and inspection standards, Dacon provides
the highest quality inspection and verification service for safe and uninterrupted lifting operations.

Dacon Integrated Repair, Inspection and Maintenance

Services
Dacon Inspection Services employs over 400 internationally certified inspection and rope access experts
covering Asia Pacific, Africa and Europe and is perfectly positioned to offer large cost savings and
efficiency improvements by integrating Repair, Inspection and Maintenance programs with multi skilled
Rope Access specialists.

How Our Integrated Approach Saves You Time and Money

Through the use of multi skilled Rope Access technicians a majority of scaffolding can be eliminated,
saving storage areas, bed space and long term rental cost. Combining inspection with repair and
maintenance work (painting, sandblasting, repairs, replacements, etc.) can further offer savings through
more effective use of available resources.

Dacon’s wide range of equipment and inspector capability offers an “all-inclusive approach” for all the
Repair, Inspection and Maintenance needs of any operation from Refineries and Petrochemical plants
through to offshore oil and gas platforms.
General Repair, Inspection and Maintenance Services

 All Advanced and Conventional Inspection techniques

 Provision of QC inspectors
 Provision of API, NACE inspectors
 Mechanical/Maintenance works with Rope Access
 Helideck repair and refurbishment
 Sand blasting and painting
 Pipeline and other general modifications
 Equipment repair and replacement
 All relevant NDT and Specialized NDT

The versatile experience of our organization makes us a one stop solution for all your Repair, Inspection
and Maintenance needs.

contact us at info@dacon-inspection.com to have one of our Technical Experts contact you and answer
any of your inspection related questions.
Wind Turbine Inspections
Wind turbine inspections are of crucial importance as wind turbines need continuous monitoring and
maintenance to ensure they are operating at the optimum efficiency. Critical components have to be
carefully monitored by means of a systematic maintenance program and regular inspections.

The turbine blades are one of the most important inspection and maintenance work scopes carried out on
the wind turbines. If the blade is damaged then the wind turbine will not operate as efficiently resulting in
a loss in power generation and a loss in money for the operator.

Dacon Blade Inspection and Repair Services

Dacon has GWO certified IRATA Rope Access specialists that are multidiscipline in inspection and repair
methods.

Our experienced and certified teams are able to complete the following work scope:

1. Blade service

1.1 Rope access

 Visual inspection
 Small laminate repairs
 De-icing
 Coating repairs
 Re-drilling of drain holes
 Construction assembly support
 Inspection and installation of lightning protection systems
 Repair, installation and replacement of polyurethane coating
  External cleaning with pressured water

1.2 UAVs

 Visual inspection

1.3 Access provider for certifiers (SGS, BV, etc)

 Access along the blade with power ascenders

2. Tower service

2.1 Rope access

 Internal and external inspection

 External cleaning
 Construction assembly support
 Tower flange sealing
 Dent removal
 External inspection of the yaw joint – leaking detection
 Torque testing and replacement of landing bolts
 Bus bar inspections
 Maintenance and inspection of fall arrest systems
 Weld inspection (NDT)
 Coating repair

2.2 UAVs

 Visual inspection

Contact Dacon today to learn more about our Wind Turbine Inspection Services.