TCAM

The tensile-strength test is innately fruitless; at the time of the process of gathering material, the sample is ruined. Though this is permissible when a good supply of the sample material is available, nondestructive methods are safer for materials that are dear or hard to create or that have been shaped into completed or semifinished samples.

Liquids

One tried and true nondestructive test, employed to target surface cracks and imperfections in metal samples, employs a penetrating liquid, either visibly coloured or fluorescent. After being smeared on the surface of the sample and left to soak into any surface breaks, the liquid is cleared, leaving brightly revealed cracks and flaws. A similar test, used for nonmetals, takes an electrically charged fluid painted on the nonmetal surface. After the extra liquid is removed, a dry powder of opposite charge is sprayed on the material and attracted to the cracks. Neither of these techniques, however, can find internal weaknesses.

Radiation

Internal, as well as external flaws, can be detected through the use of X-ray or gamma-ray technologies in which the radiation passes through the sample and implicates on a suitable photographic film. Occasionally, it is possible to nominate the X rays onto a significant section within the material, creating a 3D description of the flaw geometry along with its site.

Sound

Ultrasonic inspection of areas requires transmission of sound waves out of human hearing range within the test sample. In the reflection process, a sound wave is transmitted over one side of the sample, reflected by the opposite area, then signalled to a receiver situated at the original point. Upon finding a break or imperfection in the material, the signal is reflected and its signal changed. The actual delay becomes a measure of the flaw’s location; a map of the subject can then be made to illustrate the point and geometry of the marks. With the through-transmission technique, the transmitter and receiver are started on the opposite sides of the material; interruptions in the movement of sound waves are utilized to target and measure weaknesses. Sometimes a water medium is utilized by which transmitter, sample, and receiver will be immersed.

Magnetism

As the magnetic traits of a material are heavily reflected by its overall structure, magnetic techniques are employed to demonstrate the situation and relative shape of flaws and imperfections. For magnetic testing, a tool is employed that holds a sizeable coil of wire through which flows a steady alternating current (primary coil). Nested inside the initial object is a shorter coil (the secondary coil), to which is attached an electrical measuring device. The steady current in the first coil causes electrical current to flow through the secondary coil by the process of induction. If an iron sample is slotted into the secondary coil, sharp changes in the further current will signal marks in the sample. This method only detects differences in sections in the length of a bar and cannot isolate longer or continuous marks that often. Another such technique, utilizing eddy currents induced with a primary coil, also can be employed to detect errors and weaknesses. A steady current is induced in part of the test sample. Flaws that exist within the track of the current make for resistance of the test piece; this change can be measured under the correct processes.

Infrared

Infrared methods have sometimes been employed to find material continuity in complex constructual objects. In testing the quality of adhesive joins between the sandwich core and facing sheets within a typical sandwich structure sample like plywood, for example, heat is the face of the sandwich skin material. Where bond lines appear to be continuous, those core materials reveal a heat depression for the surface sample, and the local temperatures of the skin then spread lightly on the bond lines. In the case that a bond line is not enough, disappears, or faulty, however, the local temperature should not fall. Infrared photography of the area can then indicate the location and geometry of the defective adhesive. A variation of this technique utilizes thermal coatings that can change appearance when reaching a devised heat.

Lastly, nondestructive test processes also are being sought to permit a complete understanding of the mechanical characteristics of a test material. Ultrasonics and thermal processes seem the most valuable in this circumstance.

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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