TUBE INSPECTION
Tubes can be inspected periodically to detect and size discontinuities e.g., pits, erosion, cuts, grooves, and wear. Correct technique selection is critical and depends on the tube material (ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic) and the type of discontinuities expected.
SGEIPL provides tube inspection services for all types of tubular heat exchangers, condensers, boilers, feedwater heater and more.
Widely applied techniques are:
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- Eddy Current Testing (ECT)
- Remote Field Technique (RFT)
- Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL)
- Internal Rotary Inspection System (IRIS)
- Remote Visual Inspection (Borescope)
- Near Field Testing (NFT)

Widely applied techniques are:
Eddy Current Testing (ECT) –Eddy current testing is a non-contact method used to inspect non-ferromagnetic tubing. This technique is adopted across several industries for detecting and sizing metal discontinuities such as corrosion, erosion, wear, pitting, baffle cuts, wall loss and cracks. Suitable for:
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Remote Field Testing (RFT) –Remote Field Testing (RFT) is being used to successfully inspect ferromagnetic tubing such as carbon steel or ferritic stainless steel. This technology offers good sensitivity while detecting and measuring volumetric defects resulting from erosion, corrosion, wear, and baffle cuts. Suitable for:
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Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) –Magnetic Flux Leakage is a quick inspection technique, suitable for applications like measuring wall loss and detecting sharp defects such as pitting, grooving and circumferential cracks. MFL is highly effective for aluminium-finned carbon steel tubes as its presence does not affect the magnetic field. |
Internal Rotating Inspection System (IRIS) –The ultrasonic IRIS option is used to inspect a wide range of materials, including ferrous, nonferrous, and non-metallic tubing. This technique detects and sizes wall loss resulting from corrosion, erosion, wear, pitting, cracking, and baffle cuts. IRIS inspection technology has its own unique identity for remote field testing, magnetic flux leakage and eddy current inspection. Suitable for:
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Remote Visual Inspection (Borescope) –Industrial videoscopes are commonly used for visual inspection of inner areas of various infrastructure equipment as well as industrial products. Suitable for:
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Near field testing (NFT) –Near Field Testing technique is a rapid solution intended specifically, for fin-fan carbon-steel tubing inspection. NFT is specifically suited to the detection of internal corrosion, erosion or pitting in carbon steel fin tubing. NFT probes are not affected by the fin geometry on the outside of the tube. Suitable for:
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