Fast Surface Crack Detection for Welds
Eddy Current Testing (ET) offers a rapid and effective means of detecting surface-breaking cracks and discontinuities in conductive materials. It is especially valuable for weld caps and toes where fatigue cracks typically initiate, and it requires minimal surface preparation compared to dye penetrant or magnetic particle testing.
The method induces eddy currents into the weld surface using a probe containing a coil. Surface flaws distort these currents, causing changes in coil impedance which are displayed as distinctive signal responses. Advanced Eddy Current Array (ECA) probes enable wider, faster scans while producing intuitive C-scan images of defect locations and shapes.
BQCIS utilizes both conventional ET and ECA for weld screening on pipelines, tanks, offshore structures, and fabrication welds—ideal for coated surfaces or areas where wet inspection is not feasible.
Key ET Weld Inspection Activities
Key Benefits of ET for Welds
High Inspection Speed
Enables rapid weld surface scanning, allowing large areas to be inspected far faster than conventional PT or MT methods.
Sensitive to Surface Cracks
Excellent detection capability for fine, shallow fatigue cracks or surface flaws at weld toes and caps.
Minimal Surface Preparation
Can be performed through thin coatings such as paint, minimizing cleaning or coating removal requirements.
No Chemicals Required
A dry, environmentally friendly inspection process requiring no penetrants or developers—ideal for clean or offshore environments.
Success Story
Eddy Current Array Speeds Up Offshore Weld Inspection
An offshore operator needed fast screening of critical structural welds for fatigue cracking. Traditional MT/PT required excessive surface prep and drying time.
BQCIS deployed advanced Eddy Current Array (ECA) probes capable of conforming to irregular weld shapes and scanning through paint, producing real-time C-scan maps.
Inspection time was reduced by over 50%, while achieving reliable crack detection without coating removal. The digital data provided traceable, auditable results for the client’s integrity records.