Description / Abstract:
This SAE information report provides a means to understand the
various methods of evaluating the integrity of steel tubing without
the need of destroying the tubing. This report describes eddy
current testing, flux leakage testing, ultrasonic testing, and
magnetic particle testing of steel tubing. The primary purpose of
these methods of testing steel tubing is to look for flaws in the
tubing, such as discontinuities, seams, cracks, holes, voids and
other imperfections characteristic to the specific construction of
the tubing.
Purpose
This information report is written so the average person can
understand its meaning, even though they might not be familiar with
steel tube mill activities and manufacturing processes.
When agreed upon between the user and the manufacturer,
nondestructive testing is used in lieu of hydrostatic pressure
proof testing, which is a destructive test.
The nondestructive testing systems described in this document
are currently being used in the U.S. tubing industry to monitor
steel tubing manufactured to the SAE tubing standards listed in the
related publications section.
These SAE standard tubing materials are primarily intended for
mobile/stationary industrial equipment and automotive applications.
Aircraft and Aerospace applications were not considered during the
preparation of this document.