The NDT techniques that Marine Results marine results can, in the hands of a skilled operator, find a range of anomalies and defect types in metallic and composite structures.  Here are just a few examples of production and in-service defects that we have found in the past and some information and how we detect them.

Void Detection
Voiding and porosity can be indication of poor manufacturing processes or a problem during moulding and curing of the laminate.  Evidence of porosity can be detected using conventional ultrasound.  In some cases the degree of porosity can be quantified using techniques similar to those employed in the aerospace industry.

Impact Damage
Impact damage in monolithic composites can quickly be identified using ultrasonic inspection to detect the extent of the damaged area and evaluate the nature of the damage.  This provides important data to the designer and manufacturer so that an effective repair schedule can be formulated.

Skin To Core Delamination
Skin to core de-lamination is usually detected using acoustic methods which ‘listen’ to the changes in the natural resonance of the structure caused by defects.  The specific acoustic method used depends on the type of laminate, its thickness and the type of core.

Crack Detection - Ultrasound
Where as cracking or de-lamination in composites tends to occur in layers parallel to the surface of the laminate, cracks in metallics can occur in any orientation.  Marine Results are trained in angle beam ultrasound methods for the detection of cracks in complex parts constructed in steel, stainless and aluminium alloys.

Crack Detection - Dye Penetrant Penetrant inspection is a technique used to detect flaws that are open to the surface. The technique can be used on all non-porous materials, metals and non-metals. Fluorescent or red dyes are added to a base penetrant in order to increase the sensitivity of the method by making an indication more visible. Marine Results has an in-house fluorescent dye penetrant inspection line. We can also take visible dye penetrant on-site for inspections.