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.
Ultrasonic Testing
Identify the location and severity of flaws in your materials with our Ultrasonic Testing service.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a widely used and highly effective non-destructive testing (NDT) method for inspecting the integrity of materials and detecting defects or irregularities within them. This technique relies on the principles of ultrasound, which involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to assess the internal structure of a material without causing any damage.
What is Ultrasonic testing?
If you are concerned about the possibility of flaws in your materials, our Ultrasonic Testing services can help you identify the location and severity of these flaws using a non-destructive testing method.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a Non-destructive Testing (NDT) method that uses high-frequency sound waves to detect and evaluate flaws in materials. It is a versatile NDT method with many applications, including:
- Flaw detection: UT can be used to detect a variety of flaws, including cracks, voids, inclusions, and delamination’s.
- Thickness measurement: UT can be used to measure the thickness of materials, including pipes, plates, and castings.
- Material characterisation: UT can be used to characterise the properties of materials, such as their hardness and ductility.
- Dimensional inspection: UT can be used to inspect the dimensions of components, such as the welds in a pressure vessel.
- Surface profiling: UT can be used to create a profile of the surface of a material, such as the surface of a crack.
Ultrasonic Testing: A powerful tool for flaw detection
Ultrasonic testing is the most commonly used non-destructive testing (NDT) method for detecting internal planar defects on site. It can be used to detect a variety of defects, including:
- Planar defects: cracks, slag inclusions, lack of fusion, and lack of penetration
- Voids: porosity, gas pores, wormholes, and inclusions
- Corrosion or thinning (known as “thickness gauging”)
Ultrasonic testing is often used for the following applications:
- Welds in high pressure environments
- Structural steelwork welds
- Pressure vessels (although sometimes specifications require radiography)
- Storage tanks
If you are concerned about the integrity of your components or structures, BES Group can help.
Get in touch today! Get in touch today! Get in touch today!Types of Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic Thickness Survey
Ultrasonic thickness surveys are an NDT method used to measure the thickness of materials by sending ultrasonic waves through the material and measuring the time it takes for the waves to travel through the material and back. The thickness of the material can then be calculated by knowing the speed of the ultrasonic waves in the material.
Ultrasonic thickness surveys are often used to measure the thickness of metal, but they can also be used to measure the thickness of other materials, such as plastics and composites. They can be used to inspect a variety of components, including pipes, vessels, and structural members.
Ultrasonic thickness surveys are a reliable and accurate method for measuring the thickness of materials. They are also a non-destructive testing method, which means that they do not damage the material being tested. This makes them a valuable tool for inspecting critical components and structures.
Get in touch with an Ultrasonic Testing expert
Ultrasonic Shear Wave Weld Inspections
Ultrasonic shear wave weld inspection is an NDT method that uses ultrasonic waves to detect and assess flaws in welds. Shear waves are a type of ultrasonic wave that travels through a material perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This makes them ideal for detecting flaws that are perpendicular to the surface of the weld, such as cracks and voids.
Nozzles and nodes are two types of weld defects that can be detected using ultrasonic shear wave weld inspection. Nozzles are small, spherical voids that can form in welds during the welding process. Nodes are areas where the weld metal has not fused properly to the base material. Both nozzles and nodes can weaken the weld and make it more susceptible to failure.
Ultrasonic Shear Wave weld inspection is a reliable and accurate method for detecting flaws in welds. It is often used in conjunction with other NDT methods, such as radiography and magnetic particle testing, to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the weld quality.
Get in touch with an Ultrasonic Testing expert
Key benefits of our Ultrasonic Testing service
Non-Destructive
Ultrasonic Testing is a non-destructive testing method, which means that it can penetrate various thicknesses of materials without causing any damage.
Cost effective
The cost of Ultrasonic Testing is typically lower than the cost of on-site radiography.
Portable
Ultrasonic Testing equipment is lightweight and easy to transport, making it ideal for on-site inspections.
Accurate imaging
Ultrasonic Testing can provide accurate and precise measurements of the size, shape, and location of defects in materials.
Versatile
Ultrasonic Testing is a versatile NDT method with multiple uses, including thickness measurement and flaw detection.
Instantaneous results
It can identify and assess any defects, which can help to prevent costly repairs or downtime.
Accessible inspection
It can be performed with single-sided access when using the pulse-echo technique. This allows for the inspection of components and structures that can’t be accessed from both sides.
Highly sensitive
It is sensitive to both surface and subsurface discontinuities, making it a valuable tool for inspecting a wide variety of materials and components.
Non-Destructive
Ultrasonic Testing is a non-destructive testing method, which means that it can penetrate various thicknesses of materials without causing any damage.
Cost effective
The cost of Ultrasonic Testing is typically lower than the cost of on-site radiography.
Portable
Ultrasonic Testing equipment is lightweight and easy to transport, making it ideal for on-site inspections.
Accurate imaging
Ultrasonic Testing can provide accurate and precise measurements of the size, shape, and location of defects in materials.
Versatile
Ultrasonic Testing is a versatile NDT method with multiple uses, including thickness measurement and flaw detection.
Instantaneous results
It can identify and assess any defects, which can help to prevent costly repairs or downtime.
Accessible inspection
It can be performed with single-sided access when using the pulse-echo technique. This allows for the inspection of components and structures that can’t be accessed from both sides.
Highly sensitive
It is sensitive to both surface and subsurface discontinuities, making it a valuable tool for inspecting a wide variety of materials and components.
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!
“
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.
”
Industry competitor
“
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.
”
Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
“
The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. I previously used Allianz, and BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
”
Customer
Project Operations Manager
“
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.
”
Customer
Senior Project Manager
Related services
Eddy Current Testing
Liquid (Dye) Penetrant Inspection
Magnetic Particle Inspection
Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing
Positive Material Identification
Q10 Material Sampling and Analysis
Radiography
Visual Inspection
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.
Qualified service
Our team are qualified to PCN Level 3 and ASNT NDT, and adhere to the BS EN ISO 9712 standard.
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.
Our sectors
Enquiry Form
