Need ultraviolet (UV) lights for Non-destructive Testing (NDT)?
Look no further.
UV lights are essential tools used for NDT in industrial, aerospace and medical sectors. Your only alternative to UV lamps for NDT is a crew of hard-working reindeers (the only mammal capable of seeing UV light).
Using dye penetrant and magnetic particle processes, NDT (with help from a bright, UV fixture) can quickly uncover tiny cracks, fractures, miniscule inconsistences and non-visible breaks on equipment, foundations and structures. During fluorescent penetrant inspections, a liquid with particles sensitive to UV light is applied to the object, allowing it to soak into the surface. A UV fixture is then applied over the surface, exposing the true nature of the damage (if any).
The benefits of NDT are numerous. When performing NDT on an object, the item is not exposed to heavy tampering or rough handling, which can help maintain its structural integrity. As a result, businesses waste less products, save time (no more waiting weeks for lab results), improve quality assurance and increase compliance with safety standards.
The effectiveness of NDT strongly relies on the performance of the UV lamp. In most cases, UV radiation with a wavelength of 365 nm (+/- 20nm) is required. When active particles from the liquid react to the lamp, it emits visible wavelengths ranging between 400 nm and 550 nm. An intense UV beam is needed for accurate results; as too much visible light can greatly reduce contrast levels associated with the tests.
Keeping your UV fixture in tip-top condition is one of the best ways to ensure quality results. This includes proactively removing dust and oily markings, as well as inspecting the lens or filters for cracks and warping. Such contaminants and flaws can reduce UV intensity by a whopping 50 percent!
Lastly, the type of UV lamp makes a huge difference in NDT. In the past, inspectors were limited to using old lighting technologies, like mercury vapor lamps, with filters. This setup affects amount of UV light radiated on the object. The use of filters also requires more maintenance and higher wattage for superior light intensity. By comparison, UV LED luminaries do not need filters to emit UV light. The solid-state fixtures produce less heat and come with a lengthy lifespan of over 50,000+ hours.
Larson Electronics offers several UV NDT lighting solutions for businesses, which can be used for routine spot checking, large-scale inspections and stress/fracture tests.
Our UV luminaries for NDT includes the following:
- Portable, rechargeable, handheld lights
- Compact, hard-wired lights
- Fluorescent fixtures
- High UV radiation LED fixtures
- …and more
