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An ultrasonic non-destructive testing system for detection and quantification of early-stage subsurface creep damage in the thermal power generation industry

An ultrasonic non-destructive testing system for detection and quantification of early-stage subsurface creep damage in the thermal power generation industry

Acronym: CreepUT
Funding body: European Commission
Status: Project

Creep damage detection in pressurised steam line components is a major concern in the power generation industry. Currently, replica metallography is used to inspect these components. This method can only detect surface defects however and evidence indicates that creep damage develops first inside the pipe wall and does not appear at the wall surface until the pipe is almost ready to fail. This results in catastrophic component failures which cost the industry more than €500,000 in lost revenue per day out of operation.