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Ultrasonic time-of-flight-diffraction (TOFD) examination of butt-fusion joints of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)


Background

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping has been used in place of steels in the petrochemical, power, and mining industries due to its exceptional resistance to corrosion and erosion. Recently, HDPE has also been used for nuclear safety-related cooling water applications. The application of nuclear quality assurance requirements requires reasonable assurance that the production fusion joint is sound. Ultrasonic time-of-flight-diffraction (TOFD) inspection of fusion joints is an easily employed nondestructive examination tool that can be used to provide additional assurance of fusion-joint integrity.

Problem

The HDPE joint process is typically subject to the following flaws: lack-of-fusion, cold fusion (partial bond), inclusions (embedded), and voids. There is currently no consensus in the industry as to the nature and size of rejectable flaws; however, nondestructive examination is often requested to detect these conditions.

HDPE material has some specific characteristics that make its inspection difficult. Its acoustic impedance and sound velocity is similar to the materials commonly used in ultrasound wedges, which makes it difficult to achieve appropriate refraction of sound at the interface. In addition, coupling between the Rexolite wedges and the material can be difficult to achieve. Also, HDPE material is very attenuative as compared with metals, which often prohibits the use of higher ultrasonic frequencies. It also exhibits a natural high-frequency filtering effect. To overcome these hurdles, low-frequency probes mounted on TOFD Water Wedges are used.

Cross section of an HDPE fusion joint
Cross section of an HDPE fusion joint

Equipment

The following equipment is used for the inspection:

  • OmniScan TOFD capable unit
  • Panametrics C542-SM or C546-SM Centrascan (6.25 mm or 0.246 in. element dia.; 2.25 MHz and 3.5 MHz frequencies)
  • TOFD (ST1) 60L Water Wedges
  • 1 CHAIN scanner Semi-automatic Scanner
  • 1 CFU-03 or comparable water delivery system

Optional Equipment

  • Panametrics Preamplifier Model 5682 (500 kHz-30 MHz/30 dB)

OmniScan MXU inspection set up
Inspection setup
water wedgewater wedgewater wedge
Water Wedges

Typical procedure

A conventional TOFD procedure is used for the inspection of HDPE, with the following specifications:

  • The probe centering spacing (PCS) is adjusted to provide beam cross at 66% of the thickness. Additional configurations are recommended on thick-wall pipes to improve detection near the OD or ID surfaces.
  • The probe assembly is mounted on the Chain scanner.
  • Electronic gain on the OmniScan is adjusted to set the lateral wave (LW) signal at 60%.
  • The CHAIN scanner is mounted on the pipe, and the inspection is performed in one rotation.

TOFD (time-of-flight diffraction) pattern of butt-fusion joint HDPE

Time-of-flight diffraction pattern of butt-fusion joint HDPE

Results

The screen capture below, with A-scan and circumferential B-scan images, shows the results on a 25 mm (1 in.) thick HDPE sample with ID calibration cuts ranging in depth from 11.6 mm (0.456 in.) to 2.9 mm (0.114 in.). The three inserted cuts are detected clearly with a good signal-to-noise ratio.

A-Scan screen

The following screen capture clearly shows the presence of voids and/or contaminants in the16 mm (0.629 in.) -thick HDPE butt-joint of a 150 mm (5.9 in.) diameter pipe.

Presence of voids on HDPTE butt-joint

This image is indicative of a poor bonding condition at the inner wall through almost the entire diameter of a 54-mm (2.125 in.) -thick HDPE butt-joint of a 450 mm (17.716 in.) diameter pipe.

Poor Bonding Image

Conclusion

Use of TOFD in conjunction with the OmniScan and other appropriate tools has shown to be a valid method for nondestructive inspection of HDPE butt-fusion joints. While the nuclear industry continues to evolve with respect to detecting rejectable flaws, further studies and trials continue with the use of ultrasound phased array.

Olympus IMS

Products Used for This Application
Every flaw detector in the OmniScan™ X3 series is a complete phased array toolbox. Innovative TFM and advanced PA capabilities help you identify flaws with confidence while powerful software tools and simple workflows improve your productivity.
Ultrasonic transducers are used for applications as diverse as flaw detection, thickness gaging, materials research and medical diagnostics. More than 5000 ultrasonic transducer types come in many styles, element diameters, frequencies, and connector styles.
Time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) transducers and wedges generate refracted longitudinal waves in steel and are commonly used to size cracks. The transducers are highly damped, offering excellent resolution in challenging applications. They have a sensitive composite element and are available in frequencies from 2.25 MHz to 15 MHz and in sizes from 3 mm (0.25 in.) to 12 mm (0.5 in.).
The CFU-03 and CFU-05 are portable electric pump units used to supply constant couplant flow to wedges during ultrasonic inspections.
The single group, lightweight OmniScan SX flaw detector features an easy-to-read 8.4-inch (21.3 cm) touch screen and provides cost-effective solutions. The OmniScan SX comes in two models: the SX PA and SX UT. The SX PA is a 16:64PR unit, which, like the UT-only SX UT, is equipped with a conventional UT channel for P/E, P-C, or TOFD inspections.
The OmniScan MX2 features a new phased array module (PA2) with a UT channel, and a two-channel conventional ultrasound module (UT2) that can be used for TOFD (Time-of-Flight Diffraction), as well as new software programs that expand the capabilities of the successful OmniScan MX2 platform.
The ChainSCANNER provides a manual pipe-inspection solution for pipes between 1.75 to 38 in. OD. The scanner, held by chain links instead of magnetic wheels is well suited for weld or corrosion inspection on different type of materials. UT, TOFD, PA.
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