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San Jose, Calif. --January 16, 2003-- Technological progress related to computers, electronics, materials science, and other interdisciplinary fields ushers in a new era for non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. Manufacturers' focus on product integrity, safety, and quality has stimulated demand for testing techniques such as NDT, which is set to spiral across many industries.
Primarily used for detecting defects in the defense industry, non-destructive testing is now rapidly progressing toward commercialization, identifying and exposing macroscopic flaws in the serviceability of materials or structures. NDT is increasingly gaining importance as a quality assuror, guaranteeing safe operation and also assessing plant life.
To meet growing demand, researchers have developed a variety of sophisticated techniques using ultrasonics, eddy currents, X-rays, dye penetrants, magnetic particles, and other forms of interrogating energy.
"As no single method can realistically provide all the necessary non-destructive testing information, efforts are underway to integrate several methods," says Technical Insights Analyst S. Anand. "Complimenting capabilities offer better detection and the overlapping ones enhance the reliability."
Data fusion techniques are being developed to enable effective data-acquisition and processing as well as provide a sound interpretation of the test parameters in relation to material integrity. Commercially available, at present, are instruments that can be used to perform ultrasonic and eddy current tests using core hardware and interchangeable transducers and modules.
"The search for smarter methods that can rapidly and inexpensively detect minute flaws in complex materials and structures at very high probability and repeatability will continue to be a challenge for non-destructive testing," says Anand.
In progress are efforts to further reduce the complexity associated with inspection procedures, where the human operator concentrates on critical decision-making, leaving redundant tasks to computers.
Developers of non-destructive testing products are highly dependent on the end-user industries. Offsetting the defense sector's gradual reduction in NDT purchases, other sectors such as civilian aerospace, automotive, and plant maintenance have increased their adoption of NDT equipment and services, and it is likely that chemical and petrochemical industries will also show greater demand.
Another factor that will spur the adoption of non-destructive testing is the establishment of global standards, which will cover all the NDT inspection procedures and personnel training and qualifications.
New analysis by Technical Insights (www.Technical-Insights.frost.com), a business unit of Frost & Sullivan, on Non-Destructive Testing: New Developments and Growth Opportunities, provides a detailed overview of technological advances in development laboratories, identifies key companies and developers, and provide estimates of timelines for commercializing the technology.
Technical Insights will hold a conference call at 3:00 p.m. (EST)/ 12:00 p.m. (PST) on January 23, 2003 to provide a summary and analysis of the latest developments in non-destructive testing. Those interested in participating in the call should send an email to Julia Rowell at jrowell@frost.com with the following information for registration:
Full name, Company Name, Title, Contact Tel Number, Contact Fax Number, Email. Upon receipt of the above information, a confirmation/pass code for the live briefing will be emailed to you.
Frost & Sullivan is a global leader in strategic growth consulting. Acquired by Frost & Sullivan, Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and reports. This ongoing growth opportunity analysis of non-destructive materials is covered in Sensor Technology Alert, a Technical Insights subscription service, and in Sensor Sourcebook, a Frost & Sullivan Technical Insights technology report. Technical Insights and Frost & Sullivan also offer custom growth consulting to a variety of national and international companies. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.
Non-Destructive Testing: New Developments and Growth Opportunities Report: D246
Contact:
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E: jrowell@frost.com
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Pramila Gurtoo
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