API 510 Non-Destructive Examination Methods — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the advantage of ultrasonic testing (UT) for pressure vessel inspection?
- It is the cheapest method
- It can measure remaining wall thickness and detect internal flaws (Correct answer)
- It works only on new vessels
- It requires no trained operators
Correct answer: It can measure remaining wall thickness and detect internal flaws
Ultrasonic testing measures remaining wall thickness accurately and can detect internal flaws without damaging the equipment.
Question 2: When is radiographic testing (RT) preferred for pressure vessel weld examination?
- Never used on pressure vessels
- When volumetric examination of welds is required to detect internal discontinuities (Correct answer)
- Only for surface defects
- Only on plastic vessels
Correct answer: When volumetric examination of welds is required to detect internal discontinuities
Radiographic testing provides volumetric examination of welds, revealing internal defects like porosity, inclusions, and incomplete fusion.
Question 3: What does magnetic particle testing (MT) detect?
- Internal corrosion only
- Surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials (Correct answer)
- Chemical composition
- Wall thickness
Correct answer: Surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials
Magnetic particle testing detects surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities such as cracks in ferromagnetic materials.
Question 4: What is the primary limitation of visual testing (VT)?
- It is too expensive
- It can only detect surface-accessible defects (Correct answer)
- It requires radiation
- It damages the vessel
Correct answer: It can only detect surface-accessible defects
Visual testing is limited to detecting defects that are visible on accessible surfaces and cannot identify subsurface or internal flaws.
Question 5: What is liquid penetrant testing (PT) used for in pressure vessel inspection?
- Measuring pressure
- Detecting surface-breaking discontinuities in non-porous materials (Correct answer)
- Testing weld strength
- Measuring temperature
Correct answer: Detecting surface-breaking discontinuities in non-porous materials
Liquid penetrant testing uses capillary action to reveal surface-breaking cracks and discontinuities on non-porous material surfaces.
Question 6: What qualification must NDE technicians hold to perform pressure vessel examinations?
- No qualification needed
- Certification to SNT-TC-1A or equivalent standard for each method (Correct answer)
- A college degree only
- Manufacturer training only
Correct answer: Certification to SNT-TC-1A or equivalent standard for each method
NDE technicians must be certified according to SNT-TC-1A or equivalent standards for each specific examination method they perform.
API 510 Non-Destructive Examination Methods
What is the advantage of ultrasonic testing (UT) for pressure vessel inspection?