Theta Technologies presents innovative technique at UK’s premier NDT event
17/08/2015
Unlike traditional ultrasonic systems, Theta Technologies’ non-destructive evaluation (NDE) process interprets the non-linear acoustic response of materials and components in order to characterise their properties and detect potential flaws at a very early stage – before the material degradation is visible on the surface or, in some cases, is detectable by any other means.Theta Technologies has invested many years into the research and development of its innovative NDE technology. Its latest developments will be presented next month at the 54th annual conference of the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT).
“Our unique capability is to see features at an early stage and anticipate and avoid costly structural failures,” said Julian Wright, Managing Director of Theta Technologies, “seeing things that other tests do not.”
Theta Technologies’ latest project started with collaborative research funded by the European Union and has created an automated two-axis scanner to test for ‘kissing bonds’ in friction stir welds (FSW) in aluminium plates. These kissing bond defects can significantly reduce the strength and reliability of FSW parts and consequently increase the risk of premature component failure. Difficulties in identifying these flaws with traditional NDE techniques have inhibited the widespread adoption of FSW in the aerospace, nuclear and automotive sectors. This new development from Theta Technologies offers the real prospect of overcoming these limitations.
The results of this project will be presented as a conference paper at BINDT’s forthcoming NDT 2015 event, taking place at The International Centre in Telford from 8-10 September.
Theta Technologies is also applying its NDE techniques to work that it is undertaking for the European Space Agency on the detection of delaminations and matrix cracks in carbon fibre composites, as well as on bespoke applications of this patented technology for various commercial clients.
www.thetatech.co.uk
