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The tensile-strength test is inherently damaging; in the process of fostering material, the sample is destroyed. While this is excusable when a safe store of the material exists, nondestructive techniques are desirable for materials that are expensive or complex to create or that have been shaped into finished or semifinished products.

Liquids

One commonly used nondestructive procedure, utilized to target surface breaks and flaws in metal samples, requires a penetrating liquid, either luminescently dyed or fluorescent. After being rubbed on the surface of the material and allowed to fill into any surface breaks, the dye is cleared, leaving brightly uncovered breaks and flaws. An analogous method, applicable to nonmetals, requires an electrically charged fluid painted on the material surface. After superfluous fluid is removed, a dry powder of opposite charge is sprayed on the surface of the sample and sinks into the breaks. Neither of these processes, however, can identify internal weaknesses.

Radiation

Internal, as well as external weaknesses, can be identified through the use of X-ray or gamma-ray machines in which the radiation passes through the object and impinges on an ideal photographic film. In some cases, it can be possible to focus the X rays toward a significant section in the object, permitting a three-dimensional view of the flaw markings as well as its site.

Sound

Ultrasonic inspection of sections takes transmission of sound waves above human hearing range within the sample. By the reflection process, a sound wave is targeted from one part of the piece, reflected with the far side, then returned back to a receiver located at the original point. Upon locating a flaw or imperfection in the test sample, the sound wave is reflected and its signal changed. The actual delay is a measure of the location of the mark; a map of the piece can be formed to reveal the location and dimensions of the marks. By the through-transmission method, the transmitter and receiver are situated on the opposite areas of the material; delays in the transmission of the sound waves are found to target and measure flaws. More often than not a water medium is used by which transmitter, sample, and receiver should be immersed.

Magnetism

As the magnetic elements of a material are largely reflected by its overall structure, magnetic processes are sometimes utilized to demonstrate the location and indicative shape of failures and breaks. By magnetic testing, an item is used that consists of a sizeable length of wire through which flows a steady alternating current (primary coil). Placed inside this larger object is a shorter coil (the secondary coil), to which is secured an electrical measuring tool. The steady current in the larger coil generates electrical current to flow within the secondary coil through the process of induction. When an iron rod is slotted into the secondary coil, sharp changes in the secondary current should implicate imperfections in the rod. This method only isolates differentiations between parts within the length of a sample and does not detect elongated or continuous defects very often. Another such technique, making use of eddy currents induced with a primary coil, also should be employed to find flaws and cracks. A steady current is induced in the test item. Weaknesses that exist within the transmission of the current determine resistance of the test sample; this determination may be measured with appropriate tools.

Infrared

Infrared methods also have been utilized to locate material continuity in complex construction materials. While testing the strength of adhesive bonds with the sandwich core and facing sheets in a ordinary sandwich structure sample like plywood, for example, heat is used in the surface of the sandwich skin object. When bond lines are continuous, the core materials allow a heat marking for the surface sample, and the general temperatures of the face will drop steadily on the bond lines. In the case where the bond line appears to be inadequate, missing, or mistaken, however, local temperature will not fall. Infrared photography of the surface does reveal the location and area of the failing adhesive. Another kind of process uses thermal coatings to change colour upon reaching a specific temperature.

In conclusion, nondestructive methods also are being sought to allow a whole determination of the mechanical aspects of a test piece. Ultrasonics and thermal procedures are the most reliable in this area.

Looking for NDT Brisbane? For Brisbane non-destructive testing, contact Just Inspections today.

Many small businesses spend far too much time on debt collection rather than their core business. Over the last 2-3 months I’ve noticed an increasing lag in payment cycles.

If you are in any sort of operation that uses small businesses as service providers or product suppliers it’s well worth your while to pay your bills on time and completely ignore to some “clever” accountants mantra of not paying until the second reminder. Guess what? People are human and they will pay back and pay forward. One way or the other you will pay in the end for screwing around your suppliers.

Here’s why:

1. If you pay on time you will get much better service. I know with my clients, the one’s who pay on time or early get the best service, day or night 365 days per year. These are A-Class clients. They pay on time or early, don’t bitch about the price, and as a result get excellent service and great value for money. They respect me, and I respect them. We both win.

2. If you don’t pay on time you reputation is on the line. Small business owners love to gossip. They slag off any customers who pay late. And with the Internet so freely available, your reputation can become crap overnight with one blog post. This leads into …

3. If you don’t pay on time, you can end up paying a premium. The current cost of money is about 1.5% per month. If your payment reputation is shite, than expect to pay at least 10-15 % more than if it were good or unknown. In some cases bad payers can be locked out of they supply chain completely and have to spend enormous amounts of time to find a new supplier.

With existing suppliers, if you screw them around, they will either add 10% to their next quote, or refer you to a lower-class competitor - hoping to send them broke because you don’t pay when due.

4. If you pay on time your staff don’t get harassed by debt collectors from your supplier’s accounts departments. This is a big source of staff burn-out. If you pay on time your staff won’t have to make up excuses for late payment and may actually start to enjoy their jobs.

In summary, if you want good service, good products, happier staff and ongoing loyalty, pay on time or before time and ignore your accountant’s advice.

What do you think? Why do you like early payment or not?

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