Services

Ultrasonic Inspection

NORDSTROM TESTING SERVICE
AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY -CERTIFIED WELDING INSPECTION
ASNT/NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING -UT, MT, PT


We are a testing firm focused on welding and coatings inspections (both visual and non-destructive), fireproofing and reinforcing steel placement . With  25 years of experience in the industry we cover a wide range of projects including hospitals, banks, schools, courthouses, water and wastewater plants and water storage tanks, pipelines, etc. We provide non-destructive testing services such as Ultrasonic testing, Magnetic Particle testing and Liquid Dye Penetrant testing. We are constantly eager to broaden our scope of work and develop new relationships along the way. We look forward to working with you in the near future. Thank you for your attention.

*UT – Ultrasonic Testing utilizes very short ultrasonic pulse-waves with center frequencies ranging from 0.1-15 MHz and occasionally up to 50 MHz that are launched into materials to detect internal flaws or to characterize materials. A common example is ultrasonic thickness measurement, which tests the thickness of the test object, for example, to monitor pipework corrosion.

Ultrasonic testing is often performed on steel and other metals and alloys, though it can also be used on concrete, wood and composites, albeit with less resolution. It is a form of non-destructive testing used in many industries including aerospace, automotive and other transportation sectors. *Our Equipment for Ultrasound Testing and Ultrasonic Inspection.

*PT- liquid dye penetrant testing - Dye penetrant inspection (DPI), also called liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) or penetrant testing (PT), is a widely applied and low-cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). The penetrant may be applied to both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, although for ferrous components magnetic-particle inspection is often used instead for its subsurface detection capability. LPI is used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.

*MT- magnetic particle testing - Magnetic particle inspection (MPI) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) process for detecting surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferroelectric materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some of their alloys. The process introduces a magnetic field into the part by either direct or indirect magnetization. Direct magnetization occurs when the electric current is passed through the test object and a magnetic field is formed in the material. Indirect magnetization occurs when no electric current is passed through the test object, but a magnetic field is applied from an outside source. The magnetic lines of force are perpendicular to the direction of the electric current which may be either alternating current (AC) or some form of direct current (DC) (rectified AC).

The presence of a surface or subsurface discontinuity in the material allows the magnetic flux to leak, since air cannot support as much magnetic field per unit volume as metals. Ferrous iron particles are then applied to the part. The particles may be dry or in a wet suspension. If an area of flux leakage is present the particles will be attracted to this area. The particles will build up at the area of leakage and form what is known as an indication. The indication can then be evaluated to determine what it is, what may have caused it, and what action should be taken, if any.

*Our Equipment for Magnetic Particle Testing:
Magnaflux Yoke The Magnavis7 Y- 7 C/DC magnetic Particle Yoke is designed for one-person portable magnetic particle inspections of ferrous parts. Ideal for inspection of welds and other remote testing. Articulating, double-jointed legs of yokes contour to any part shape to assure good contact.

Y-7 Core Benefits:
    * Used to find both surface and near-surface discontinuities
    * Articulating, double-jointed legs contour to part’s shape for superior contact
    * Solid state controls located in the yoke’s housing for maximum safety and reliability
    * Demag Feature

*VT- Visual inspection is a common method of quality control, data acquisition, and data analysis used in new construction, renovation and facilities' maintenance. Visual Inspection typically means inspection of equipment and structures using one or more of the human senses such as vision, hearing, touch and smell, and/or any non-specialized inspection equipment. Inspections requiring Ultrasonic, GPR Services equipment, Infra-red, etc. are not typically considered as Visual Inspection as these Inspection methodologies require specialized equipment and training.
 

*Fireproofing - a passive fire protection measure refers to the act of making materials or structures more resistant to the spread of fire, smoke and heat after a fire has begun. Most modern day structures are required by applicable codes to adhere to specific "fireproofing" standards using methods and systems certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The most common types of structures utilizing fireproofing standards are Hospitals, Schools and multi-family/multi-story structures. To perform adequately in a potentially life-threatening situation, every effort must be made to ensure the thorough and proper application of all UL listed fireproofing systems. Thorough and detailed inspection of fireproofing systems as performed by Nordstrom Testing Service personnel is an essential step in the construction process.

*Coatings (destructive & non-destructive)- Corrosion is the gradual destruction of material, usually metals, by chemical reaction with its environment. In the most common use of the word, this means electro-chemical oxidation of metals in reaction with an oxidant such as oxygen. Rusting, the formation of iron oxides, is a well-known example of electrochemical corrosion. This type of damage typically produces oxide(s) or salt(s) of the original metal. Corrosion can also occur in materials other than metals, such as ceramics or polymers, although in this context, the term degradation is more common. Corrosion degrades the useful properties of materials and structures including strength, appearance and ability to contain a vessel's contents.

Our Equipment for Coating Inspection:
*Positector Dry film thickness gauge : Certificate of Calibration showing traceability to NIST included; Built-in temperature compensation ensures measurement accuracy ; Hi-RES mode increases displayed resolution for use on applications that require greater precision; Conforms to national and international standards including ISO and ASTM

Multiple calibration adjustment options including 1 point, 2 point, known thickness and average zero; Calibration Lock; SSPC PA2 feature set determines if film thickness over a large area conforms to user-specified min/max levels (memory (3) gages only); Selectable display languages; Flip Display for right-side-up viewing; Backlit display for dim or dark environments; Mils/Microns/mm switchable; Extended cables available (up to 250 ft/75 m) for remote measuring

*High-Strength Bolting- In an ever-increasing effort to ensure the well-being and safety of the public, certain construction items often deemed "standard" or "routine" have come to the forefront of the construction inspection process. High-Strength Bolting, as the title implies, is a CRITICAL component of the construction process. Nordstrom Testing Service has extensive experience in High-Strength Bolting inspection in accordance with the Research Council on Structural Connections Using High-Strength Bolts, from pre-installation verification using a Skidmore-Wilhelm, to final confirmation of fully-tensioned connections.

*Rail inspection - is the practice of examining rail tracks for flaws that could lead to catastrophic failures. According to the United States Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis,[1] track defects are the second leading cause of accidents on railways in the United States. The leading cause of railway accidents is attributed to human error. The contribution of poor management decisions to rail accidents caused by infrequent or inadequate rail inspection is significant but not reported by the FRA, only the NTSB. Every year, North American railroads spend millions of dollars to inspect the rails for internal and external flaws. Nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are used as a preventative measure against track failures and possible derailment

*Equipment used for Rail inspection is all listed on page including Starrett Straight Edge.