NDT Applications & Asset Inspection Matrix
Match non-destructive testing techniques (PAUT, TOFD, PEC, RT, MFL, UT) directly to process piping, control valves, pressure vessels, storage tanks, welded joints, and boiler tube bundles under API, ASME, and AWS inspection codes.
Direct technique mapping for CUI, cracking, wall loss, and volumetric weld sizing.
Industrial Asset Domains (11)
Component NDT technique requirements mapped by active damage mechanism and governing standards
Process Piping & Loop Circuits
In-service and shutdown testing for oil & gas refinery process lines, chemical transfer loops, and high-pressure steam headers.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe Girth Welds | Lack of fusion, porosity, root erosion | |
| Insulated Pipe Circuits | Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) | |
| Elbows & Injection Points | Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) & Erosion | |
| Deadlegs & Low-Points | Under-deposit pitting & water stagnant corrosion |
Valves & Pressure Control Assemblies
Comprehensive integrity evaluation of gate, globe, check, and pressure safety valves (PSVs) under API 598 and ASME standards.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Valve Castings & Body Shells | Internal casting shrinkage, porosity, wall thinning | |
| Seating Surfaces & Discs | Seat scoring, micro-cracks, cavitation pitting | |
| Valve Stems & Threads | Stress corrosion cracking, thread galling | |
| Safety Relief Valve (PSV) Bench | Seat leak rate & popping pressure accuracy |
Pressure Vessels & Reactors
Volumetric and surface flaw inspection for process columns, hydrocrackers, and separator drums.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Shell & Head Seam Welds | Sub-surface cracks, lack of penetration | |
| Nozzle-to-Shell Joints | Nozzle corner fatigue cracking | |
| Internal Cladding Layers | Cladding disbonding, pinhole leaks | |
| Active Stress Areas | Active micro-crack propagation |
Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST)
Floor plate, shell ring, and roof structures inspection under API 653 guidelines.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Plates | Soil-side pitting & top-side corrosion | |
| Shell Seams & Annular Ring | Settlement fatigue cracking & shell weld defects | |
| Tank Bottom Leakage | Active underside fluid leaks |
Heat Exchangers & Power Boilers
Full tube bundle scanning and drum inspections in power plants and chemical units.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Screening Tube Bundles (All Alloys) | Pitting, through-wall leaks, tube blockages | |
| Non-Ferrous Exchanger Tubes | Pitting, baffle wear, wall loss | |
| Ferromagnetic Carbon Steel Tubes | Internal pitting, steam erosion | |
| Boiler Header Drums | Internal scale, thermal fatigue cracks |
Cross-Country Pipelines & Subsea Risers
High-resolution inline scanning (smart pigging), long-range screening, and subsea riser girth weld integrity.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline Girth Welds | Girth weld cracks, lack of penetration, HAZ cracking | |
| Subsea Risers & Spools | Fatigue cracking, marine growth pitting, wall loss | |
| Inline Inspection (PIG Scanning) | Internal/external pitting, mechanical damage, gouges |
Reinforced Concrete & Infrastructure
Subsurface radar scanning, rebar mapping, and post-tension cable location in bridges, buildings, and retaining structures.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Reinforced Concrete Slabs & Decks | Rebar misplacement, voiding, delamination | |
| Post-Tensioned Beams | Duct voiding, post-tension cable corrosion | |
| Retaining Walls & Bridge Abutments | Subsurface moisture ingress, honeycombing |
Subsurface Utility & Underground Infrastructure
Damage prevention, metallic/non-metallic utility tracing, and underground storage tank (UST) locating.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Underground Pipe & Cable Routes | Utility strike prevention, unmapped line identification | |
| Underground Storage Tanks (UST) | Tank vault dislocation, leakage plumes |
Tank Ringwall Foundations & Subgrade Soil
Subgrade soil erosion mapping, sub-slab void detection, and concrete ringwall foundation integrity.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete Ringwall Foundations | Foundation cracking, rebar corrosion | |
| Tank Bottom Slab Subgrade | Sub-slab voiding, soil washouts, settlement |
Welded Joints & Heat Affected Zones (HAZ)
Comprehensive flaw detection, volumetric sizing, and surface inspection across structural, pressure vessel, and piping weldments.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Steel Butt & Fillet Welds | Complete joint penetration (CJP) cracks, toe cracking, undercut | |
| Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) | Hydrogen-assisted cold cracking, hard zone embrittlement | |
| Dissimilar Metal Welds (DMW) | Interfacial stress cracking, carbon migration disbonding |
Offshore Jackets, Topsides & Marine Hulls
Subsea splash zone corrosion, underwater structural node weld inspection, and ship hull plate integrity.
| Target Component | Primary NDT Techniques | Active Damage Mechanism / Flaw |
|---|---|---|
| Tubular Structural Nodes (K, T, Y Joints) | Wave action fatigue cracking, weld toe fatigue | |
| Splash Zone & Subsea Structural Legs | Seawater splash zone pitting, cathodic protection loss | |
| Ship Hull & Tank Shell Plating | Ballast tank corrosion, hull plate thinning |
NDT Method Selection by Material Class
Fast material cross-reference matching magnetic (ferrous), non-ferrous conductive alloys, material-agnostic sound/radiographic techniques, and non-metallic composites.
Ferrous MetalsMagnetic
Carbon steel, low-alloy steel, cast iron. Magnetic flux & permeability based NDT.
Non-Ferrous AlloysConductive
Copper, brass, titanium, aluminum, austenitic stainless steel, Inconel.
Material AgnosticUniversal
Works on any metal, alloy, plastic, graphite, or composite without magnetic constraints.
Composites & Non-MetalsDielectric
FRP, carbon fiber composites, plastics, ceramics, concrete, honeycomb structures.
The 5-Tier NDT Inspection Hierarchy
From initial RFP scope to direct client sign-off. NDT EXCHANGE connects clients directly with verified inspection agencies.
RFP Scope
Asset Owner posts turnkey B2B inspection scope with technical specifications, asset list, and required NDT methods.
Competitive Bids
Certified NDT agencies submit competitive proposals (Fixed-Bid / T&M) detailing technician rosters and day rates.
Direct Settlement / Escrow
Client awards bid and sets up direct milestone payment or escrow — NDT EXCHANGE never holds or manages project funds.
Field Execution
Level II/III inspectors perform on-site testing (PAUT, TOFD, MFL, UT), capturing flaw data and calibration overlays.
Sign-Off & Payout
Level III auditor reviews findings; upon client sign-off, funds release directly to agency with direct client contracting.