Time-of-Flight Diffraction (ToFD) method of ultrasonic testing is a sensitive and accurate method for the nondestructive testing of welds for defects. ToFD is usually performed using longitudinal waves as the primary detection method. Ultrasonic sensors are placed on each side of the weld. One sensor sends the ultrasonic beam into the material and the other sensor receives reflected and diffracted ultrasound from anomalies and geometric reflectors. ToFD provides a wide area of coverage with a single beam by exploiting ultrasonic beam spread theory inside the wedge and the inspected material. When the beam comes in contact with the tip of a flaw, or crack, diffracted energy is cast in all directions. Measuring the time of flight of the diffracted beams enables accurate and reliable flaw detection and sizing, even if the crack is off-oriented to the intial beam direction. During typical ToFD inspections, A-scans are collected and used to create B-scan (side view) images of the weld. Analysis is done on the acquisition unit or in post-analysis software, positioning cursors to measure the length and through-wall height of flaws.

Our Solution

AlphaNDT has developed its own full range of scanner to allow rapid high quality scans on all diameter pipes and plate welds, AlphaNDT offers the best solution for RT backlog with fully code compliant by applying Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) and Time-Of-Flight Diffraction (ToFD) as a replacement to on-site radiography as the following:

• New and existing welds: Small bore pipe work and Big bore pipe work (from ¾” to above with thickness from 4mm to above).
• Defect monitoring
• Stress Corrosion Cracking
• Weld root erosion surveys

Benefits

• Based on diffraction, so relatively indifferent to weld bevel angles and flaw orientation
• Uses time of arrival of signals received from crack tips for accurate defect positioning and sizing
• Precise sizing capability makes it an ideal flaw monitoring method
• Quick to set up and perform an inspection, as a single beam offers a large area of coverage
• Rapid scanning with imaging and full data recording
• Can also be used for corrosion inspections
• Required equipment is more economical than phased array, due to conventional nature (single pulser and receiver) and use of conventional probes
• Highly sensitive to all weld flaw types
• Reduced risk of company liability with documented inspection reports

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