Optimizing NDI sensitivity
Nondestructive inspection (NDI) plays an important role in assuring reliability of major engineering systems, such as nuclear power plants, oil refineries, and aircraft. Most mechanical components critical to the operation of these systems are examined by at least one, and often more, of the standard NDI methods. The coolant system for a typical pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWR) is an example. A properly applied nondestructive inspection can, under the appropriate conditions, reduce total production and life cycle cost (including repair and/or failure costs) of the system by orders of magnitude. On the other hand, an improperly applied inspection can, under certain conditions, significantly increase total system production and life cycle cost. There are two general aspects of the inspection process that must be considered to develop an effective inspection: the NDI response features used in making the accept/reject decision and the NDI procedures selected must be such that a reasonable correlation exists between the response features and the severity of the imperfection; and the imperfection response thresholds at which the accept/reject decisions are made must be selected to minimize total cost.
- Research Organization:
- Failure Anaysis Assoc., Palo Alto, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6528301
- Journal Information:
- Met. Prog.; (United States), Journal Name: Met. Prog.; (United States) Vol. 112:4; ISSN MEPOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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