Field-proven and commonly used in boilers, heat exchangers, and fin-fan tubes.
Internal rotary
inspection system (IRIS) is an ultrasonic method for the nondestructive testing of pipes and
tubes. The IRIS probe is inserted into a tube that is flooded with water, and the probe is pulled
out slowly as the data is displayed and recorded. The ultrasonic beam allows detection of metal
loss from the inside and outside of the tube wall.
Principle of operation
The IRIS probe consists of a rotating mirror that directs the ultrasonic beam into the tube wall.
The mirror is driven by a small turbine that is rotated by the pressure of water being pumped in.
As the probe is pulled the spinning motion of the mirror results in a helical scan path.
One of the key settings in the procedure is to ensure that the ultrasonic pulse
initiates in the very focus point at the center of the tube or pipe. An off-center pulse
will show a distorted image of the tube due to the difference in the sound path for
either side of the tube wall. For that reason there are centering devices that help
the operator to keep the turbine centered at all times . he IRIS probe must be
moved very slowly (approximately 1 inch per second, or 2.5 cm/s), Before the
examination, tubes must be cleaned on the inside to bare metal.
A supply of clean water is needed, typically at a pressure of 60 psi, or 0.4 MPa. Dirt or debris
in the water may cause the turbine to jam.
Works for tube diameters of inch (13 mm) and up. Special centralizing devices are needed
for larger diameters.
Works in metal or plastic tubes Can pass bends, but will not detect defects in bends.
Not sensitive to cracks aligned with tube radius.
RFT may also referred to as RFEC (remote field eddy current) or RFET (remote field
electromagnetic technique) . An RFT probe is moved down the inside of a pipe and is able to
detect inside and outside defects with approximately equal sensitivity (although it can not
discriminate between the two). Although RFT works in nonferromagnetic materials such as
copper and brass, its sister technology eddy-current testing is preferred. The basic RFT probe
consists of an exciter coil (also known as a transmit or send coil) which sends a signal to the
detector (or receive coil). The exciter coil is pumped with an AC current and emits a magnetic
field. The field travels outwards from the exciter coil, through the pipe wall, and along the pipe.
The detector is placed inside the pipe two to three pipe diameters away from the exciter and
detects the magnetic field that has travelled back in from the outside of the pipe wall (for a total
of two through-wall transits). In areas of metal loss, the field arrives at the detector with a faster
travel time (greater phase) and greater signal strength (amplitude) due to the reduced path
through the steel. Hence the dominant mechanism of RFT is through-transmission.
Main features of RFT
commonly applied to examination of boilers, heat exchangers, cast iron pipes, and
pipelines.
no need for direct contact with the pipe wall
probe travel speed around 30 cm/s (1 foot per second), usually slower in pipes greater
than 3 inch diameter.
less sensitive to probe wobble than conventional eddy current testing (its sister
technology for nonferromagnetic materials)
because the field travels on the outside of the pipe, RFT shows reduced accuracy and
sensitivity at conductive and magnetic objects on or near the outside of the pipe, such as
attachments or tube support plates.
two coils generally create two signals from one small defect
The main differences between RFT and conventional eddy-current testing (ECT) is in the coil-tocoil spacing. The RFT probe has
Passivation is accomplished by immersion in nitric or citric acids in order
to re-establish the chromium oxide layer on the metal surface, and
dissolve and remove any iron from the surface or weld areas. The copper
sulfate test is done following the passivation process in order to detect
even very low levels of iron (delta ferrite or similar phase) that may
remain. Iron, nickel and cobalt are ferromagnetic at normal (ambient)
temperatures. This means that they strongly attracted to a permanent
magnet.it is a test to find out iron contamination of ss & to differentiate
between cs & ss. ASTM A380-Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling,
and Passivation of Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems
