Demand grows for NDT equipment

03/09/2013

Stringent product usage specifications, strong government safety regulations mandating the safety of personnel and tight quality control requirements are especially driving demand for NDT equipment, according to a report by Research and Markets Ltd*.

Instances of infrastructure failures, such as refinery blasts, leakages in nuclear reactors and pipeline explosions, in recent years have prompted governments across the globe to enact stringent safety regulations, thus driving increased adoption of NDT equipment. The trend towards retention of legacy equipment and structural assets as an austerity measure among industries also gives opportunity for growth in the NDT equipment market.

The report, which reviews product trends and innovations, looks at recent industrial activity and focuses on select players, states that NDT equipment is increasingly being used to monitor operational feasibility and ensure safe extended use of ageing and legacy plant assets. Developments in nanomaterials and advanced components, and use of the same for manufacturing a range of structural equipment, is also creating a need for NDT equipment that can perform inspections of such material and structures.

Technology developments, such as the introduction of automated NDT equipment and miniaturisation, will continue to expand opportunities in the market, according to the study. Integration of robotics technology in particular is helping manufacturers introduce easy-to-use automated NDT equipment, which is typically preferred in large-scale industries such as power generation, oil & gas, mining and aerospace.

Developments in software and hardware, which ensure high-speed data processing and accelerated detection of damage in materials, are also offering lucrative opportunities for NDT equipment.

R&D and product development efforts in recent years have been especially geared towards producing easy-to-use, small, lightweight and portable instruments, capable of producing accurate results while simultaneously reducing response time.

*Copies of the report may be ordered online at: http://bit.ly/1d5gXRQ