Evident LogoOlympus Logo
资源库
应用说明
返回到资源库

TOFD for Weld Root Corrosion and Erosion


Tofd for Weld Root Corrosion and Erosion

For piping and other flow systems, certain conditions exist that lead to corrosion and erosion in the weld root and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the weld. The contributing factors are often metallurgical, chemical, or flow related, and the resulting metal loss can lead to failure of the weld/base metal. The shape of the corroded or eroded weld or base metal can make ultrasonic inspection extremely difficult to apply, thus impeding accurate detection and measurement of anomalies. The time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) technique proves to be a valid option for evaluating weld root corrosion and erosion, as well as similar conditions such as FAC (flow-accelerated corrosion). The goal of any of these inspections is to accurately measure the wall thickness, the weld, and the HAZ. The unpredictable shape of the remaining material often makes pulse-echo ultrasonic inspection ineffective.

TOFD has been used for some time for general weld inspections. It has proven to be a rapid and easily deployable method with an excellent capacity for sizing. One of the inherent strengths of TOFD for detection and sizing purposes is its relative indifference to the orientation of defects because of its primary use of diffracted versus reflected energy. The TOFD technique utilizes two transducers: a transmitter transducer floods the inspected region with sound in the forward direction; on the opposite side of the weld, a receiver transducer is positioned to receive diffracted and reflected energy from the back wall or from anomalies present in the region. Common pulse-echo techniques can be misdirected by the shape of the region, resulting in imprecise measurement and assessment.

Pulse Echo Shear wave beam being reflected at off angle
Pulse-echo shear wave beam being reflected at an off angle.

Illustration of diffracted energy coming off weld root/Haz in all directions
Illustration of diffracted energy reflecting off weld root/HAZ in all directions.

For these types of weld inspections, TOFD is typically performed from three positions for each weld: centered on the weld, offset to the left, and offset to the right. Scanning from these particular positions helps to achieve the best results. This method ensures detection of the highest point of material loss, determines from which side of the weld the erosion/corrosion indications are originating, and eliminates any masking caused by the back wall signal. Depending on the instrument, these scans can be run concurrently or in separate acquisitions.

Illustration of 3 probe positions for acquisition: Offset 1, Centered, Offset 2 (left to right)
Illustration of 3 probe positions for acquisition: offset 1, centered, offset 2 (left to right)

TOFD is deployed by scanning the weld with a semiautomatic or fully automatic scanner. Scan settings are set to determine scan resolution. The resulting data file can be saved indefinitely for review and comparison to future scans. After data is acquired, it is analyzed to identify any areas of concern, either directly on the instrument or in post-analysis software. Shifts in data (time/depth) are measured in order to assess the severity of metal loss. The cursors can then be positioned to define areas for depth or thickness measurement readings. Weld defects such as porosity, lack of fusion, and cracking can also be detected when scanning for corrosion and erosion.

Tofd scanner on weld
A TOFD scanner on a weld

Scan of weld with cursor positioned at area of no corrosion, A-scan showing good lateral wave and backwall signal with no indications in between
Scan of weld with cursor positioned on an uncorroded area; A-scan shows good lateral wave and back wall signal with no indications in between.

Scan of weld with cursor positioned at area of no corrosion, A-scan showing good lateral wave and backwall signal with no indications in between
Scan of weld with cursor positioned on a corroded area; A-scan shows shift in time of back wall signal from material loss.

Measurement in good area showing Thickness as 7.39mm.  Tofd (m-r) reading shows distance between positioned cursors.
Measurement in good area showing Thickness as 7.39mm.  Tofd (m-r) reading shows distance between positioned cursors.

Measurement of good area shows thickness as 7.39 mm; TOFD (m-r) reading shows the distance between the positioned cursors.

Measurement corroded area showing Thickness as 5.28 mm.  Cursors are positioned at top of plate (0) and highest point of material loss. In this example there is 2.11 mm of material loss due to corrosion.
Measurement corroded area showing Thickness as 5.28 mm.  Cursors are positioned at top of plate (0) and highest point of material loss. In this example there is 2.11 mm of material loss due to corrosion.

Measurement of corroded area shows thickness as 5.28 mm; cursors are positioned at top of plate (0) and highest point of material loss. In this example, there is 2.11 mm of material loss due to corrosion.

TOFD for Corrosion Measurement Equipment (Typical)

  • OmniScan SX or MX2 (PA or UT models, depending on the number of channels desired and if phased array capability is needed).
  • TOFD circumferential scanner (HST-Lite or similar, depending on the desired number of probe holders and other application specifics; for example, pipe versus plate).
  • TOFD probe and wedges (various frequencies, angles, and materials).
  • Couplant delivery system, WTR-SPRAYER-8L or similar.
  • TomoView Analysis or OmniPC post-analysis software (optional).

TOFD Benefits for Corrosion/Erosion Measurement

  • Rapid scanning.
  • Cost effective.
  • Auditable and retrievable permanent data sets.
  • Accurate sizing capability.
  • Excellent detection, even on irregularly shaped areas of metal loss.
  • Fast post-acquisition analysis results.
  • Portable and user-friendly TOFD scanning packages.
Olympus IMS

应用所使用的产品
OmniScan X3系列的每台探伤仪都是一款功能齐备的相控阵工具箱。其创新型全聚焦方式(TFM)和高级相控阵(PA)功能助力您充满信心地识别缺陷,其性能强大的软件功能和便捷的工作流程有助于提高您的检测效率。
OmniScan MX2的双通道传统超声模块(UT2)可用于TOFD(衍射时差)检测。它具有高脉冲发生器电压(340 V)、增强的PRF功能和改进的信噪比(SNR)。
轻便的单组Omniscan SX探伤仪装有一个方便用户阅读的8.4英寸(21.3厘米)触摸屏,可提供性价比很高的检测解决方案。OmniScan SX有两种型号:SX PA和SX UT。SX PA是一个16:64PR仪器,它与仅使用UT技术的SX UT一样,配备有一个用于脉冲回波、一发一收或TOFD(衍射时差)检测的常规UT通道。
OmniScan MX2现在不仅可以与带有一个UT通道的相控阵模块(PA2)及一个用于TOFD(衍射时差)检测的双通道常规超声模块(UT2)配套使用,还可以使用一些创新型软件程序。这些软件程序更进一步提高了业已相当成功的OmniScan MX2平台的性能。
Sorry, this page is not available in your country
Let us know what you're looking for by filling out the form below.
Sorry, this page is not available in your country