Flaw detectors fall into five categories by technical principle:
X-ray flaw detectors: suited to high-precision inspection of aerospace components, pressure vessel welds and similar parts, with a maximum penetration of up to 46 mm (A3 steel); digital models provide real-time imaging.
Gamma-ray flaw detectors: use radioactive isotopes such as cobalt-60. Their small size and focal spot make them common in confined spaces, for example on the girth welds of oil pipelines.
Magnetic particle inspection machines: available as stationary, mobile and portable types, for detecting surface cracks in ferromagnetic materials, such as boiler and pressure vessel welds. See our range of magnetic particle inspection machines.
Ultrasonic flaw detectors: use ultrasonic reflection to detect internal defects in metallic and non-metallic materials, for example checking the uniformity of electrode coatings in new energy batteries.
Eddy current flaw detectors: detect surface defects in conductive materials by electromagnetic induction and are commonly used on light-metal products such as copper tubes and aluminium foil.