Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Services
Support the long-term performance of your equipment with NDT
Non-Destructive Testing checks the properties of your materials, components, or systems without causing damage. It means products can be inspected and measured without compromising their usability. At BES Group, our NDT’s are performed by highly qualified inspectors to help detect problems that could lead to failures or poor performance – leaving you with products that work safely, reliably, and cost-effectively.
What is the purpose of Non-Destructive Testing?
Non-Destructive Testing covers methods such as Ultrasonic Testing, Radiographic Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing, Liquid Penetrant Testing, Eddy Current Testing, Visual Inspection, Ferrite Testing and Weld Testing. These techniques detect defects and irregularities to ensure materials and structures are safe, reliable, and meet industry standards.
NDT enhance safety, as potential failures can be identified and addressed before they lead to accidents. They’re also cost-efficient as they enable early detection of defects, which can reduce repair costs and prevent severe failures. Quality assurance is another benefit, as an NDT ensures materials and components meet the required standards and specifications.
Plus, non-destructive tests are versatile. They can be applied to various materials and industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas. With an NDT, these industries can maintain high standards of safety, performance, and reliability in their products and infrastructures.
What types of Non-Destructive Testing are there?
At BES Group, we offer many NDT services. Every service we provide can be tailored to specific inspection needs.
Below are some of the types of non-destructive testing we offer:
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Ultrasonic Testing uses high-frequency sound waves to pick up internal flaws or characterise materials. It’s widely used for inspecting welds, detecting cracks, and measuring material thickness.
Radiographic Testing (RT)
Radiographic Testing uses X-rays or gamma rays to see a component's internal structure. It’s particularly useful for identifying internal defects such as voids, cracks, and inclusions.
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
Magnetic Particle Testing involves magnetising a ferromagnetic material and applying ferrous particles to the surface. The particles come together at breaks, revealing surface and near-surface flaws.
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)
Liquid Penetrant Testing uses a dye or fluorescent liquid applied to a material's surface. After applying a developer, the liquid seeps into the material, highlighting surface-breaking defects.
Eddy Current Testing (ETC)
Eddy Current Testing (ETC) uses electromagnetic induction to detect flaws in conductive materials, such as surface cracks and corrosion in tubing and other structures.
Visual Inspection (VT)
Visual Inspection is the most basic form of non-destructive test. It involves a detailed visual examination of the material or component. It’s often the first step in identifying obvious defects and irregularities.
Ferrite Testing
This non-destructive method ensures the integrity of duplex and super duplex materials that are exposed to extreme temperatures and mechanical stress. Ferrite Testing uses our handheld Fischer Feritscope MP30E-S ferrite tester.
What environments require Non-Destructive Testing?
Aerospace
The aerospace industry relies on NDT to detect problems in critical components such as aircraft engines, wings, and fuselage structures. This ensures the safety and performance of aircraft and prevents catastrophic failures during flight.
Automotive
In the automotive sector, NDT inspects engine parts, transmissions, and structural components to ensure they meet safety and performance standards. This helps prevent mechanical failures and enhances vehicle reliability.
Construction
Construction projects use NDT to examine the integrity of steel beams, concrete structures, and welds. This ensures the structural soundness of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure, protecting them against potential collapses and promising longevity.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing industries use NDT to check the quality of raw materials and finished products. This is vital for maintaining high standards, reducing waste, and ensuring products are free from defects before reaching the market.
Oil and gas
The oil and gas industry uses NDT to inspect pipelines, storage tanks, and drilling equipment. This helps detect corrosion, cracks, and other defects that could lead to leaks, spills, or explosions, protecting the environment and ensuring safe operations.
Power generation
Power plants, including nuclear, thermal, and renewable energy facilities, rely on NDT to inspect turbines, boilers, and reactors. This is crucial for preventing failures that could lead to power outages or hazardous situations.
Benefits of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Achieve and maintain compliance
NDT helps ensure that your operations comply with relevant industry regulations and standards. This helps you avoid potential legal issues and fines.
Ensure safety
By identifying defects and potential failures early, NDT enhances the safety of your equipment and infrastructure, protecting employees and customers.
Minimise liability
Regular NDT inspections can reduce the risk of accidents and equipment failures, minimising your legal liability and protecting your business from lawsuits.
Support certification
NDT is often required to obtain and maintain certifications that demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety.
Documentation and traceability
NDT provides thorough documentation of inspections and findings, which is essential for audits and legal investigations.
Achieve and maintain compliance
NDT helps ensure that your operations comply with relevant industry regulations and standards. This helps you avoid potential legal issues and fines.
Ensure safety
By identifying defects and potential failures early, NDT enhances the safety of your equipment and infrastructure, protecting employees and customers.
Minimise liability
Regular NDT inspections can reduce the risk of accidents and equipment failures, minimising your legal liability and protecting your business from lawsuits.
Support certification
NDT is often required to obtain and maintain certifications that demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety.
Documentation and traceability
NDT provides thorough documentation of inspections and findings, which is essential for audits and legal investigations.
Non-Destructive Testing FAQs
What’s the difference between Destructive Testing and Non-Destructive Testing?
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Destructive Testing (DT) involves checking the properties of a material or component by subjecting it to conditions that cause it to fail or be destroyed. This method provides detailed information about the material’s performance and failure points but renders the test sample unusable. On the other hand, NDT assesses the properties and integrity of materials or components without causing any damage, allowing them to remain usable.
What’s the most widely used Non-Destructive Testing method?
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The most widely used NDT method is Ultrasonic Testing (UT). This technique employs high-frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws, measure material thickness, and characterise materials. It’s favoured for its accuracy, versatility, and ability to inspect various materials and structures.
How do I know if I need NDT?
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You may need NDT if your industry or specific application requires material integrity, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. For some industries testing and inspections are mandatory, such as piping inspections and storage inspections. For other industries such as manufacturing, NDT will provide quality assurance by identifying defects and ensuring the material is fit for purpose.
What materials can be tested using Non-Destructive Testing methods?
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NDT is accessible and easy to carry out on site, without the need to shut down operations. There are many types of materials that can be tested using NDT methods including:
- Metals and alloys
- Plastics, Ceramics and Composites
- Concrete, Wood, and Rubber
- Glass and Fiberglass
- Electronic components
- Weldments
- Castings and Forgings
Each material has its own characteristics and behaviours, so understanding what the material is and the information you want to obtain is how we will determine what NDT method is most suitable. Find out more about the factors considered in choosing the right NDT method.
What types of equipment require Non-Destructive Testing?
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- Aerospace: aircraft engines, fuselage structures, wings and landing gear.
- Automotive: engine components, transmissions, chassis and structural parts.
- Manufacturing: raw materials, finished products, welding joints and assembly parts.
- Power Generation: turbines, boilers and nuclear reactors.
- Marine: ship hulls, propellers and offshore platforms.
- Petroleum: pipelines, storage tanks and drilling equipment.
- Chemicals: chemical storage tanks, pressure vessels and piping systems.
- Healthcare: implants, surgical instruments and diagnostic equipment.
- Military: weaponry, armoured vehicles, aircraft and naval vessels.
Will BES Group help me make an informed decision on the right NDT method?
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BES Group’s experts and technicians are committed to guiding you to choose the right NDT method for your specific needs. Factors BES Group will consider include:
- Material type and shape
- Surface condition or material finish
- Defect type (internal or external)
- Location, accessibility and environment
- Standard and regulations
- Budget and timeframe
Is Hardness Testing Non-Destructive?
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Hardness Testing is generally classed into two categories; Non-Destructive and Destructive. Destructive Testing involves indenting the material surface to measure resistance, which can cause minor damage, but doesn’t typically render the material unusable. Our destructive hardness tests include Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers macro and micro-hardness, and Knoop microhardness testing.
Non-Destructive hardness testing does not cause any noticeable marks or permanent damage to the material. Non-Destructive hardness testing is a quick and easy way to assess the strength and integrity of materials. Our NDT methods include Barcol Hardness Testing and Ultrasonic Hardness Testing.
What is the LIBS method?
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Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technique using a high-focused laser to determine the chemical composition of materials. This technology is used in the oil and gas industry. With the advances in technology a portable handheld analyser is used to measure elements in the field for material identification.
How does LIBS work?
- The handheld analyser produces a laser pulse which is directed on the sample surface.
- The surface is worn away and forms a plasma. The plasma disintegrates and stimulates the sample, which emits a light.
- The emitted light transfers through the fibre optics to the spectrometer.
- The wavelengths are transmitted to the detector and to produce data.
- This data is analysed by the central processing unit (CPU) and provides a detailed composition of the materials.
- This composition analysis can be examined to determine the concentration of each element.
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
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BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
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Industry competitor
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We have been with BES for the past 5 years and don’t plan on switching providers. They are very flexible with their services and are able to bring the best inspectors who can deal with on the ground challenges and build real relationships with clients.
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Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
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The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
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Customer
Project Operations Manager
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The industry requires competence to be demonstrated, typically through UKAS accreditation, which is a prerequisite for many major clients. BES is type A accredited, which is preferred, they can provide highly objective opinions.
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Customer
Senior Project Manager
Why choose us
NDT expertise
BES Group has a team of experienced and qualified NDT inspectors who can use our complete suite of NDT techniques to inspect a wide variety of equipment and assets.
35,000 satisfied customers
We've built a strong reputation for providing exceptional service to over 35,000 satisfied customers from diverse industries. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has resulted in long-standing partnerships and unwavering trust.
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
With over 160 years of experience in the industry, we've witnessed the evolution of industry practices and have adapted our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Our deep understanding of asset management, compliance and predictive technologies enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational excellence.
Trusted reliability
BES Group is a trusted and reliable provider of NDT services. We're proud to have a proven track record of providing high-quality services that meet the needs of our customers.
Qualified service
Our team are qualified to PCN Level 3 and ASNT NDT, and adhere to the BS EN ISO 9712 standard.
Our sectors
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