At Vertech, we offer non-destructive testing (NDT) services to companies across a multitude of industries that possess assets or infrastructure. Our comprehensive range of conventional and advanced NDT services ensures our clients receive first-class deliverables.
Vertech has proven experience in NDT inspection planning, advising clients on NDT services, and providing recommendations and solutions to comply with international and Australian standards.
Vertech Group is certified to ISO 17025 as an NDT inspection body by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), accreditation number 18112. Our NDT inspection personnel are highly qualified, skilled, and experienced in applying a wide range of NDT inspection services and testing methods.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a set of inspection and testing techniques used to evaluate the properties and integrity of materials, components, or structures without causing any damage or alteration to the item being examined. NDT plays a crucial role in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, defence, oil and gas, mining and minerals, to ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of products and structures.
NDT technicians and inspectors must be trained and certified in their specific methods, as each technique requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
Overall, Non-Destructive Testing is a fundamental component of quality control and risk assessment in various industries, contributing to the longevity and safety of products and structures while minimizing the need for destructive testing methods that can be costly and impractical.
Safety, reliability, environmental requirements, and regulations all mean that companies across multiple sectors have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of their equipment.
Vertech has a proven track record across the Asia Pacific region in delivering a wide array of conventional non-destructive inspection and non-destructive testing methods. Sonomatic provides NDT by planning campaigns, advising clients on NDT methods, and providing recommendations & solutions to ensure code compliance to both international and Australian Standards.
Underpinned by specialist access and robotics, Vertech provides a base inspection service and manages the end-to-end solution from high mobility specialist access using rope access, engineered decking and netting systems through to deployment via ROV, UAV, or crawler deployed systems.
Vertech has proven experience in a range of highly specialised advanced NDT inspection services. Our NDT technicians are highly trained along with years of experience, and our NDT testing methods have been developed over years of experience.
Sonomatic, our advanced inspection arm, is a leading provider of advanced NDT inspection services to clients in various industries. Sonomatic brought innovation to the market by introducing Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) in the 1980s and bringing world-leading technology to our clients.
The team is unique among inspection service providers in that they develop their inspection systems and scanners to meet specific requirements for inspection performance, deployment and in-field reliability.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services offer a multitude of benefits to projects, ensuring the safety, quality, and longevity of your assets. Below are some advantages of availing of NDT services from Vertech.
We know we aren’t the only NDT service company in the industry – but we have faith that our particular sets of expertise, personnel, and experience allow us to deliver what others cannot.
Choosing Vertech Group for your NDT services comes with several unique advantages that set us apart from the rest. Our commitment to excellence, comprehensive knowledge of various testing methods, and an unyielding focus on customer satisfaction are among the many reasons why we are a trusted name in nondestructive testing.
We have invested in state-of-the-art equipment and continual staff training to ensure we deliver reliable and efficient NDT methods.
Our team of certified technicians possesses a deep understanding of various testing methods. Whether it’s liquid penetrant tests, visual inspection, or ultrasonic tests, we ensure each method is tailored to meet the specific requirements of your project. Our broad experience allows us to choose the most effective approach for each situation, guaranteeing optimal results every time.
At Vertech Group, customer satisfaction is at the heart of our service delivery. We aim to provide our clients with the most detailed, accurate, and efficient nondestructive testing services, all while maintaining open lines of communication. We believe that understanding our client’s needs and expectations is key to our success.
We offer an unmatched combination of advanced technology, in-depth expertise, and customer-centric services. With us, you can rest assured that your project’s integrity is in safe and capable hands.
Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) is an electromagnetic technique to detect and size surface-breaking cracks in conductive components and welds. It combines the advantages of the Alternating Current Potential Drop (ACPD) technique and Eddy Current Testing (ECT) regarding defect sizing without calibration and the ability to work without electrical contact.
The Alternating Current Field Measurement – or ACFM – technique was specifically developed to detect and size surface-breaking defects on and around rough welds through several millimetres of non-conductive coating. This is a crucial advantage because the costs associated with paint removal, post-MPI re-blasting, and recoating are typically four or five times more expensive.
While the primary failure point in storage tanks is corrosion in the floor plates, from either the top surface or the underside, the welded sections are also a direct source of damage mechanisms. ACFM is the most cost-efficient and trusted method for inspecting storage tank welds to supplement corrosion mapping, successfully detecting large cracks often missed by MPI.
You can't deny the cost savings of ACFM over MPI; overall, ACFM jobs are typically six times less expensive than their MPI counterparts while providing the added value of a more reliable inspection with data-rich information to pass along to the asset owner.
Benefits:
Corrosion under insulation (CUI), corrosion blistering and scabs, flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), corrosion under fireproofing (CUF), and corrosion under coatings are the most significant unresolved asset integrity problems in the industry. Current methods to measure wall thickness over lift-off without removing insulation have severe limitations, and existing pulsed eddy current (PEC) solutions rely on outdated technology. It’s time for evolution.
Vertech Group and sister company Sonomatic, offer Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) using Eddyfi® Lyft™ inspection technology. The system allows measurements through non-conductive materials such as insulation, protective coatings, concrete, and marine growth without requiring direct contact with the inspection surface.
In addition to carrying out conventional eddy current on coat or uncoated components, we also offer a wide range of Eddy Current Array technologies utilising Eddyfi Ectane 2, the most popular and advanced multi-technology test instrument on the market.
These applications include:
Surface array challenges are something that companies face every day. When it comes to surface applications, the performance of any given inspection technique depends significantly on the specific conditions — mostly the types of materials and defects, but also surface conditions, cleanliness, etc.
In addition to our conventional ability to carry out Eddy Current through coated welds to determine surface-breaking defects, we also offer advanced Eddy Current Techniques, including Surface Array and Tube Inspection across a range of assets, including Heat Exchangers, Air Coolers, Feed water heaters and condensers.
Sister company Sonomatic provides comprehensive tube inspection techniques, utilising the Eddyfi Ectane 2 across various assets, including Heat Exchangers, Air Coolers, Feed water heaters and condensers. Our team will support and advise on determining the best method for each inspection.
Tube inspection techniques include:
Vertech Group offers Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) using Eddyfi® Lyft™ inspection technology. The system allows measurements through non-conductive materials such as insulation, protective coatings, concrete, and marine growth without requiring direct contact with the inspection surface. State-of-the-art instrument; real-time C-scan imaging; fast data acquisition (up to 15 readings per second) with grid and dynamic scanning modes; and great flexibility thanks to extension cables, probe shoes, and an extension pole. Using the Lyft probes, Sonomatic can scan through thick metal and insulation.
Ultrasonic testing is a non-destructive method to obtain wall thickness measurements and determine any flaws in welded components. UT Inspection determines internal and external defects and is an accurate measuring tool for establishing noted flaws' locations and depth.
Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements are typically applied to structures that are often subject to corrosion, erosion, and internal defects such as laminations or inclusions.
Ultrasonic inspection is also applied to welds to detect fabrication defects and, when in-service, to see weld root erosion and fatigue cracks. These techniques rely on favourable orientation of the imperfections to be noted relative to the direction of the applied ultrasound. The geometry of the imperfection, such as pitting, is also a primary consideration.
Vertech Group and Sonomatic technicians are qualified for the full range of UT testing techniques from:
Vertech Group's sister company, Sonomatic, is a leader in such techniques as TOFD and has designed and continues to develop innovative inspection methods that our team of experienced field service engineers applies.
Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) can be used for multiple applications; however, it is primarily used for rapid weld testing of circumferential and axial weld seams or perpendicular TOFD scanning. We offer TOFD using the Olympus Omniscan inspection technology. TOFD offers fast weld inspection with excellent flaw detection and sizing capacities. The diffraction technique provides critical sizing capability relative to bevel angle or flaw orientation. TOFD can be utilised independently or in conjunction with other NDT techniques.
It is one of the two most common non-destructive testing methods for detecting surface-breaking defects. MT Inspection is limited to seeing surface imperfections in Ferromagnetic Material (Mainly Carbon steel), and PT Inspection is for use on Non-Conductive Materials (For example, Stainless Steel). Both methods require the surface to be free of coatings and loose materials for the inspection to be carried out successfully.
Magnetic particle inspection is a simple, low-cost method of detecting linear flaws located at or near the surface of ferromagnetic materials. It is viewed primarily as a surface examination and used extensively to inspect a variety of welded, cast, or forged items – predominantly carbon steel.
The vast majority of our Magnetic Particle Inspection uses an AC Yoke and assesses for fatigue cracks in in-service welds. MPI using an AC Yoke is a speedy, efficient, cheap inspection method.
Additionally, as part of our purpose-built facilities, sister company Sonomatic has specifically built areas for MPI Inspection to be carried out in a well-ventilated, well-lit setting. In addition, our premises include a blacked-out, ventilated room offering suitable inspection space for Fluorescent Techniques. Both areas allow us to completely Contrast MPI Techniques on large items and the Fluorescent technique on smaller, typically machined, components.
Our team of mobile technicians can also complete MPI on-site using portable equipment, including blackout tents, to capture all MPI techniques again on newly fabricated/uncoated structural/pipework, machined components, as well as on items in service, but this is where the method shows its limitations. Where coatings removal is an issue, please talk to us about ACFM.
Dye Penetrant Inspection is another simple, low-cost method of detecting surface-breaking flaws such as cracks, laps, porosity, etc. in non-conductive materials, for example, Stainless Steel, Inconel, etc.
As part of our purpose-built facilities, we have a sizeable purpose-built area that supports the three main DPI techniques: colour contrast, water washable (allowing us to cover large surface areas quickly), and fluorescent (allowing for greater sensitivity). This allows us the capacity to complete anything from small components to large-scale DPI projects.
Our team of mobile technicians can also complete DPI on-site using portable equipment, including blackout tents, to capture all DPI techniques again on newly fabricated//uncoated structural/pipework and machined components as well as on items in service, but this is where the method shows its limitations. Typically, objects in service are coated, and the inspection method doesn't allow for inspection through coating, so it usually requires coating removal for inspection to occur.
Corrosion under insulation (CUI), corrosion blistering and scabs, flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), corrosion under fireproofing (CUF), and corrosion under coatings are possibly the most significant unresolved asset integrity problems in the industry. Current methods used to measure wall thickness over lift-off without removing insulation all have severe limitations, and existing pulsed eddy current (PEC) solutions rely on outdated technology. It's time for evolution.
Sister company Sonomatic offers a Phased Array using Eddyfi M2M Gekko® inspection technology. The technology covers various applications, from corrosion mapping to crack detection and characterisation in welded pipes and plates. Thanks to its advanced features, Gekko can handle thick components and detect and characterise misoriented defects. Superimposition of CAD files to ultrasonic data also helps our technicians interpret measurements and, therefore, lowers the rate of false alarms.
Benefits:
It detects temperature variations and has been widely used to detect breakdowns of thermal insulation of cryogenic storage vessels and thermal linings of furnaces, etc. Areas of damaged and waterlogged insulation can be detected using this technique.
Thermography does not give a definitive indication of corrosion but highlights areas where corrosion may develop in the future. The possibility of intermittent wetting and drying-out of insulation, especially on hot plants and pipework, leading to a misleading result, needs to be kept in mind.
Radiographic Testing (RT) is a non-destructive testing method of inspecting materials for hidden flaws by using the ability of short X-rays and gamma rays to penetrate various materials. It can be carried out on our clients' sites (under a strictly controlled environment) or within our Radiography bays.
Most radiography concerns the testing and grading of welds on pressurised piping, pressure vessels, high-capacity storage containers, pipelines, and structural welds. Other tested materials include welder's test plates, machined parts, plate metal, or pipe wall (locating anomalies due to corrosion or mechanical damage).
Radiographic Testing (RT) is a non-destructive testing method of inspecting materials for hidden flaws by using the ability of short X-rays and gamma rays to penetrate various materials. It can be carried out on our clients' sites (under a strictly controlled environment) or within our Radiography bays.
Most radiography concerns the testing and grading of welds on pressurised piping, pressure vessels, high-capacity storage containers, pipelines, and structural welds. Other tested materials include welder's test plates, machined parts, plate metal, or pipe wall (locating anomalies due to corrosion or mechanical damage).
We can carry out radiography in any of our seven purpose-built radiography compounds and on client premises under a strictly controlled environment. We can offer both conventional radiography and Digital Radiography methods. One of the advantages of digital radiography is that it does not require wet chemicals for processing, diminishing the need for chemical use and the associated hazards that come with that process. A smaller amount of radiation is necessary to produce a digital image than that needed to make a conventional film.
Small controlled area photography
SCARPro source projector is used for industrial non-destructive testing applications of gamma radiography with Selenium-75. SCARPro can be used as a category I or II exposure device. When used in SCAR mode (category I), the SCARPro allows radiography to be performed in congested work areas with a minimal distance to the controlled areas. When used as a traditional projector (category II), standard Sentinel™ source guide tubes and collimators allow the Selenium-75 source to be used for axial, radial and panoramic exposures.
X-ray systems: OVDX – OpenVision™
Live video x-ray system enables real-time, qualitative screening for corrosion under insulation (CUI). CUI causes unscheduled downtime if not identified and corrected, posing significant cost and safety issues. Identify problem areas quickly, saving valuable time and resources. Scan miles with OpenVision™ versus mere feet accomplished by other NDT methods. OVDX effectively increases inspection productivity in refinery, pipeline and offshore environments. Video images and still image captures can be stored using a DVR.
Short-range guided Wave Ultrasonics makes it possible to inspect hidden areas of concern that are usually unreachable using conventional Ultrasonics or alternative inspection methods. Short-guided Wave inspection utilises bulk wave ultrasonics to effectively scan distances as far as 1 meter along components to screen for areas of material loss from corrosion and pitting.
Benefits
Applications