Ultrasonic Phased Array Examination of Butt-Fusion Joints in High-Density Polyethylene

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb Frederick ◽  
Allen Porter ◽  
David Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
High Density Polyethylene ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cold Fusion ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Frequency Ultrasound ◽  
Ultrasonic Phased Array ◽  
Joint Location ◽  
Automated Data Acquisition

With the increasing use of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping for nuclear applications, nondestructive evaluation is an important tool for evaluation of the integrity in fused joints. This paper will discuss the method of using Ultrasonic Phased Array for inspecting Butt-Fusion (BF) joints in HDPE piping. The benefit of Phased Array is the ability to perform a volumetric inspection using multiple angles which greatly increases the probability of detection of defects, and allows the data to be analyzed using a representative 2-dimentional image of the joint [1]. It has been determined that successfully producing BF joints is highly dependent on environmental and mating-surface conditions. The primary defects of concern are lack-of-fusion (LOF), an area of the joint where there is no bond [2], cold fusion (CF), an area of partial bond, and inclusion. Phased Array has successfully demonstrated the ability of detecting and characterizing these defects using low frequency ultrasound. Factors addressed include joint location, wall thickness, material temperature, transducer wedge material, and manual vs. automated data acquisition.

High-Density Polyethylene Piping Butt-Fusion Joint Examination Using Ultrasonic Phased Array

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb Frederick ◽  
Allen Porter ◽  
Dave Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
High Density Polyethylene ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cold Fusion ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Frequency Ultrasound ◽  
Ultrasonic Phased Array ◽  
Joint Examination ◽  
Automated Data Acquisition

With the increasing use of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping for nuclear applications, nondestructive evaluation is an important tool for evaluation of the integrity in fused joints. This paper will discuss the method of using Ultrasonic Phased Array for inspecting Butt-Fusion (BF) joints in HDPE piping. The benefit of Phased Array is the ability to perform a volumetric inspection using multiple angles which greatly increases the probability of detection of defects, and allows the data to be analyzed using a representative 2-dimentional image of the joint [1]. It has been determined that successfully producing BF joints is highly dependent on environmental and mating-surface conditions. The primary defects of concern are lack-of-fusion (LOF), an area of the joint where there is no bond [2], cold fusion (CF), an area of partial bond, and inclusion. Phased Array has successfully demonstrated the ability of detecting and characterizing these defects using low frequency ultrasound. Factors addressed include joint location, wall thickness, material temperature, transducer wedge material, and manual vs. automated data acquisition.

High-Density Polyethylene Piping Butt-Fusion Joint Examination Using Ultrasonic Phased Array

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb Frederick ◽  
Allen Porter ◽  
David Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
High Density Polyethylene ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cold Fusion ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
High Density ◽  
Two Dimensional Image ◽  
Low Frequency Ultrasound ◽  
Ultrasonic Phased Array ◽  
Joint Examination

With the increasing use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping for nuclear applications, nondestructive evaluation is an important tool for evaluation of the integrity in fused joints. This paper will discuss the method of using ultrasonic phased array for inspecting butt-fusion (BF) joints in HDPE piping. The benefit of phased array is the ability to perform a volumetric inspection using multiple angles, which greatly increases the probability of detection of defects and allows the data to be analyzed using a representative two-dimensional image of the joint. It has been determined that successfully producing BF joints is highly dependent on environmental and mating-surface conditions. The primary defects of concern are lack-of-fusion, an area of the joint where there is no bond, cold fusion, an area of partial bond, and inclusion. Phased array has successfully demonstrated the ability of detecting and characterizing these defects using low frequency ultrasound. Factors addressed include joint location, wall thickness, material temperature, transducer wedge material, and manual versus automated data acquisition.

Ultrasonic Phased Array: Detection of Detrimental Conditions in High-Density Polyethylene Butt-Fusion Joints

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb J. Frederick
Keyword(s):  
High Density Polyethylene ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
Cold Fusion ◽  
High Density ◽  
Visual Examination ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Ultrasonic Phased Array ◽  
Joint Integrity

Today, commercial nuclear power plants are installing High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in non-safety-related and safety-related applications. While this material has numerous advantages over the carbon steel pipes that historically have been used for the same applications, developing a way to accurately inspect for joint integrity in HDPE has become increasingly important to utilities and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). This paper will investigate the ability to quantify the levels of detection of flaws and detrimental conditions using ultrasonic phased array, in butt-fusion joints throughout the full spectrum of applicable HDPE pipe diameters and wall-thicknesses. Perhaps the most concerning joint condition is that of “Cold Fusion”. A cold-fused joint is created when molecules along the fusion line do not fully entangle or co-crystallize. Once the fusion process is complete, during visual examination, there is the appearance of a good quality joint. However, the joint does not have the strength needed, as the required co-crystallization along the pipe faces has not occurred. Performing a visual examination of the bead, as required by the current revision of ASME Code Case N-755, does not provide adequate guarantee of joint integrity. Therefore, volumetric examination is of special concern to the USNRC to safeguard against this type of detrimental condition. Factors addressed will include pipe diameter, wall-thickness, fusing temperature, interfacial pressure, dwell (open/close) time, and destructive verification of ultrasonic data.

Ultrasonic Evaluation of Inclusions and Surface-Breaking Defects in High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Butt Fusion and Mitered Joints

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff Searfass ◽  
Jeffrey P. Milligan ◽  
Michael S. Lashley
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Fusion Zone ◽  
High Density Polyethylene ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
High Density ◽  
Scanning Method ◽  
Empirical Results ◽  
Ultrasonic Evaluation ◽  
Ultrasonic Phased Array ◽  
Effects Of Temperature

This paper presents a method for investigating the integrity of high density polyethylene (HDPE) butt fusion joints and mitered joints. The scanning technique utilizes an ultrasonic phased array pitch-catch scanning method that provides full volumetric coverage of the fusion zone for the detection of inclusions and surface-breaking defects. Empirical results supported by numerical modeling are presented. Additionally, the effects of temperature on focalization and the proper countermeasures are discussed.

Probability of detection of discontinuities by ultrasonic phased array inspection of 9% Ni steel joints welded with alloy 625 as the filler metal

Ultrasonics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 106582
Author(s):  
João da Cruz Payão Filho ◽  
Vinicius Pereira Maia ◽  
Elisa Kimus Dias Passos ◽  
Rodrigo Stohler Gonzaga ◽  
Diego Russo Juliano
Keyword(s):  
Phased Array ◽  
Filler Metal ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Alloy 625 ◽  
Ultrasonic Phased Array ◽  
Steel Joints
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