Avaliação do desempenho de técnicas não destrutivas: um estudo de caso na inspeção de juntas soldadas em tubulação de transferência de amônia anidra

Abstract

Non-Destructive Tests bring together a wide range of techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, as well as to guarantee the integrity of a component, equipment or system, during the manufacturing, assembly, maintenance and / or operation process. Such techniques are based on the observation of physical phenomena such as: absorption of electromagnetic waves, propagation and reflection of mechanical waves, magnetization of materials or capillarity, and without causing damage to the examined sample or preventing its subsequent use. Non-destructive tests are highly valuable, as it allows the control of material properties, saving time and money, and allows the tested material to return intact to the workplace after completion. It is the large number of non-destructive techniques available for industrial registration. However, they all have advantages and limitations. This work aims to evaluate the prediction result by a set of non-destructive techniques and to determine which are the most suitable for the inspection of welded joints, through the process (GTAW - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), also known as (TIG - Tungsten Inert Gas), applied to welded joints of fittings and anhydrous ammonia transfer piping between the tanking area and the granulation plant III where phosphate rock, which is a raw material in the production of phosphate fertilizers, is incorporated. The dimensioned components are made of carbon steel (ASTM A53 GRADE B ASME B36.10 - Diameter 3”- SCH 40) that have small dimensions, which may limit the use of some non-destructive techniques. In addition, other techniques that are considered to be high cost or that special safety measures for their use were not addressed in the present study.