Need for safer, cleaner, faster inspections drives growth in ultrasonics market
01/10/2013
Ultrasonic NDT has witnessed constant evolution in both technology and product features to its current state as a mainstream NDT technique. The market for ultrasonic NDT has also witnessed changing dynamics with the advent of advanced technologies such as phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) and guided wave ultrasonic testing, among others. A report by Frost & Sullivan* looks at some current trends impacting the ultrasonic NDT equipment market.The ultrasonic NDT equipment market can be segmented based on product categories into thickness gauges, digital flaw detectors, phased array flaw detectors and integrated test machines. Thickness gauges can be further sub-divided into precision gauges and corrosion gauges. Corrosion gauges are used to measure the remaining wall thickness in metal pipes, tanks, structural parts and pressure vessels that are affected by internal corrosion. Precision gauges are used in industries that require greater accuracy in measurement as they have the ability to measure thin metals.
Conventional flaw detectors or digital flaw detectors are instruments that operate on traditional ultrasonic principles and typically possess one to four channels for measurement. Phased array flaw detectors work on the phased array ultrasonic principle. These are typically combined with TOFD to provide a holistic ultrasonic testing instrument.
Integrated test machines are ultrasonic NDT systems that are sold by system integrators for use in manufacturing environments. These systems are typically integrated with the production lines and include custom mechanical frames designed to each end-client’s needs. The integrated test machines come in both conventional and advanced ultrasonic configuration.
The most prominent trend in the ultrasonic NDT equipment market is the increased uptake and widespread adoption of PAUT flaw detectors. Since the launch of truly portable PAUT flaw detectors in 2002, the market has exploded, growing at a faster pace than any other segment of the market. The key driver for phased array ultrasonic flaw detectors is a willingness from the end-user industries to replace conventional film radiography with PAUT in applications such as weld inspection. This replacement of technology is driven by the need for safer, cleaner and faster technology, which PAUT provides.
Frost & Sullivan’s recent research in the emerging markets for NDT inspection services also confirmed this trend (see NDT News August 2013), with countries such as South Africa, India, Brazil and China, previously considered key users of conventional film radiography, also gradually shifting to phased array. Although there is a significant drive towards the adoption of PAUT, there are stumbling blocks and challenges that need to be overcome by the NDT industry. A key challenge is the absence of well-defined standards and codes for the use of PAUT. In many conservative industries, such as aerospace, power generation and oil & gas, a lack of well-defined standards acts as a restraint to market growth.
According to the report, the sudden growth in the UT market over the past decade has increased the demand for UT- and PAUT-certified NDT technicians to perform inspections.
Competition in the ultrasonic NDT equipment market is consolidated, yet fragmented, the report says. Competition is intense in the thickness gauge, digital flaw detector and phased array flaw detector markets, with participants competing fiercely to gain market share.
The integrated test machines market, dominated by system integrators, is characterised by participants that operate in specialised niche applications, such as inspection at the manufacturing stage of metal billets, metal castings and forgings, tubes, pipes, metal bars, composite structures and panels.
Frost & Sullivan’s report estimates the global ultrasonic NDT equipment market was $450.2 million in 2012, and will grow at a 5.4% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) to $585.7 million by 2017. The percentage split by revenue for the individual segments in 2012 was 11.8% for the thickness gauges, 13.3% for the digital flaw detectors, 18.9% for the phased array flaw detectors and 56.0% for the integrated test machines. Volume sales in the ultrasonic test equipment market are growing at a fast pace, with phased array flaw detectors experiencing the highest growth, says the report.
For any queries on this article or the published research, contact Nikhil Jain at nikhilj@frost.com or visit the website.
www.frost.com
*‘Analysis of the global ultrasonics NDT equipment market’
