With more than a billion bicycles thought to be in existence (more than double the number of automobiles), it’s safe to say that a lot of people enjoy cycling.

Fatigue is a failure mechanism caused by repeated cyclic loading that leads to cumulative damage within a material, and ultimately catastrophic failure. “Between 80% to 90% of all mechanical service failures can be attributed to Fatigue,” according to the American Society of Metals – Metals Handbook 1975 & 2008.

The medical industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, with the U.S reaching a market cap of $156 billion.

Materials testing in metal additive manufacturing (AM) involves characterization of raw materials and evaluation of finished parts. The raw materials used in metal AM processes include powders, filaments and sheets. 

Nondestructive testing (NDT) dates back to the late-1800s, to the railroad industry. The “Oil and Whiting” method of crack detection was used to find damage in heavy steel parts.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is everywhere and anywhere nowadays. Every day technical websites, and even most social media sites, are posting cool videos and new applications. 

Aero-engine discs are very critical parts since they are exposed to high stress and temperature during flights. Engine disc components such as bearing rings, fan and compressor discs are subjected to extensive inspections during the different manufacturing stages, including dimensional controls up to the detection of the tiniest surface flaws on rolling surfaces (bearing raceways).

Not using the proper adapters to calibrate load cells, truck and aircraft scales, tension links, dynamometers, and other force measuring devices can produce significant measurement errors and pose serious safety concerns.

It’s been nine years since a heat exchanger burst at an oil refinery in Anacortes, WA, fatally injuring seven workers and bringing renewed attention to the risks of high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA).

Over the last 10 to 15 years, NDT methods have grown smarter and smarter. New methods have been developed and old methods have been improved. Some of today’s NDT is leaps and bounds ahead of where it used to be.