Destructive Testing

In destructive testing, or (Destructive Physical Analysis DPA) tests are carried out to the
specimen's failure, in order to understand a specimen's structural performance or material
behaviour under different loads. These tests are generally much easier to carry out, yield more
information, and are easier to interpret than nondestructive testing.

Tensile Test:
Tensile testing is a destructive test process used to provide information about the strength and
ductility of a material or to meet acceptance test requirements. The tensile test, also known as
a tension test, involves applying an ever-increasing load to a test sample up to the point of
failure. The process creates a stress/strain curve showing how the material reacts throughout
the tensile test. The data generated during tensile testing is used to determine mechanical
properties of materials and provides a quantitative measurement of tensile strength, yield
strength and ductility or stiffness. Properties that are directly measured via a tensile test are
ultimate tensile strength, maximum elongation and reduction in area. From these measurements
the following properties can also be determined: Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, yield
strength, and strain-hardening characteristics.

Compression Test:
Compression tests are used to determine how a product or material reacts when it is
compressed, squashed, crushed or flattened by measuring fundamental parameters that
determine the specimen behavior under a compressive load. The specimen is compressed and
deformation at various loads is recorded. Compressive stress and strain are calculated and
plotted as a stress-strain diagram which is used to determine elastic limit, proportional limit,
yield point, yield strength and, for some materials, compressive strength.

Bending Test:
Bend testing determines the ductility or the strength of a material by bending the material over
a given radius. Following the bend, the sample is inspected for cracks on the outer surface. It
is a way of determining the flexural strength, or how something will react, when it is being
bent. This is done by supporting the specimen at given points along its length and applying an
axial compressive load evenly at one or more points. Bend testing provides insight into the
modulus of elasticity and the bending strength of a material.

Torsion Test:
A torsion test measures the strength of any material against maximum twisting forces. It is an
extremely common test used in material mechanics to measure how much of a twist a certain
material can withstand before cracking or breaking. This applied pressure is referred to as
torque. Materials typically used in the manufacturing industry, such as metal fasteners and
beams, are often subject to torsion testing to determine their strength under duress.
There are three broad categories under which a torsion test can take place: failure testing, proof
testing and operational testing. Failure testing involves twisting the material until it breaks.
Proof testing observes whether a material can bear a certain amount of torque load over a given
period of time. Operational testing tests specific products to confirm their elastic limit before
going on the market.
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It is critical for the results of each torsion test to be recorded. Recording is done through
creating a stress-strain diagram with the angle of twist values on the X-axis and the torque
values on the Y-axis. Using a torsion testing apparatus, twisting is performed at quarter-degree
increments with the torque that it can withstand recorded. The strain corresponds to the twist
angle, and the stress corresponds to the torque measured.

Hydrostatic Test:
A hydrostatic test is performed to determine the integrity and soundness of pressure vessels
and piping joints. A hydrostatic test is a way in which pressure vessels such as pipelines,
plumbing, gas cylinders, boilers and fuel tanks can be tested for strength and leaks. A decrease
in the applied pressure or leakage through the products or joints or plastic deformation or
distortion or bulging in the product is indication of inadequate quality of the product under test.
The test involves filling the vessel or pipe system with a liquid, usually water, which may be
dyed to aid in visual leak detection, and pressurization of the vessel to the specified test
pressure. Pressure tightness can be tested by shutting off the supply valve and observing
whether there is a pressure loss. The location of a leak can be visually identified more easily if
the water contains a colorant. Strength is usually tested by measuring permanent deformation
of the container. Hydrostatic testing is the most common method employed for testing pipes
and pressure vessels. Using this test helps maintain safety standards and durability of a vessel
over time. Newly manufactured pieces are initially qualified using the hydrostatic test. They
are then re-qualified at regular intervals using the proof pressure test which is also called the
modified hydrostatic test. Testing of pressure vessels for transport and storage of gases is very
important because such containers can explode if they fail under pressure.

Hardness Test:
The principal purpose of the hardness test is to determine the suitability of a material, or the
particular treatment to which the material has been subjected.
The hardness test is typically performed by measuring the depth of indenter penetration
(Rockwell, IIT, and Ball Indentation Hardness) or by measuring the size of an impression left
by an indenter (Vickers, Knoop and Brinell.)

Charpy Impact Test:

The Charpy impact test, also known as the Charpy V-notch test, is a standardized high strainrate test which determines the amount of energy absorbed by a material during fracture. This
absorbed energy is a measure of a given material's notch toughness and acts as a tool to study
temperature-dependent ductile-brittle transition. It is widely applied in industry, since it is easy
to prepare and conduct and results can be obtained quickly and cheaply. A disadvantage is that
some results are only comparative.

Charpy impact testing involves striking a standard notched specimen with a controlled weight
pendulum swung from a set height. The standard Charpy-V notch specimen is 55mm long,
10mm square and has a 2mm deep notch with a tip radius of 0.25mm machined on one face.
The specimen is supported at its two ends on an anvil and struck on the opposite face to the
notch by the pendulum. The amount of energy absorbed in fracturing the test-piece is measured
and this gives an indication of the notch toughness of the test material. The pendulum swings
through during the test, the height of the swing being a measure of the amount of energy
absorbed in fracturing the specimen. Conventionally, three specimens are tested at any one
temperature and the results averaged.

Polariscope:
Polariscopes are designed for the observation and measurement of stress patterns in transparent
materials. Polariscopes are designed for the observation and measurement of stress patterns in
transparent materials. Their applications can vary from miniature glass diodes to large injection
molded plastic containers.
The setup of a plane polariscope consists of two linear polarizers and a light source. The light
source can either emit monochromatic light or white light depending upon the experiment. First
the light is passed through the first polarizer which converts the light into plane polarized light.
The apparatus is set up in such a way that this plane polarized light then passes through the
stressed specimen. This light then follows, at each point of the specimen, the direction of
principal stress at that point. The light is then made to pass through the analyzer and we finally
get the fringe pattern.

Non-destructive Testing
Nondestructive testing - NDT - use test methods to examine an object, material or system
without impairing its future usefulness. Non-destructive testing is often required to verify the
quality of a product or a system. Because NDT does not permanently alter the article being
inspected, it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in product
evaluation, troubleshooting, and research.

Ultrasonic Testing:
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) uses high frequency sound energy to conduct examinations and make
measurements. Ultrasonic inspection can be used for flaw detection/evaluation, dimensional
measurements, material characterization, and more.

Magnetic Particle Testing:

Magnetic particle Inspection (MPI) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) process for detecting
surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel,
cobalt, and some of their alloys. The process puts a magnetic field into the part. The piece can
be magnetized by direct or indirect magnetization. Direct magnetization occurs when the
electric current is passed through the test object and a magnetic field is formed in the material.
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Indirect magnetization occurs when no electric current is passed through the test object, but a
magnetic field is applied from an outside source.

Dye Penetrant Testing:

Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) also called as Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPI) or Penetrant
Test (PT) is fast, economical and widely used non-destructive test method to detect surfacebreaking discontinuities in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). Indications
of flaws can be found regardless of the size, configuration, internal structure, or chemical
composition of work piece being tested and regardless of flaw orientation.

Radiographic Testing:
Radiographic Testing (RT), or industrial radiography, is a nondestructive testing (NDT)
method of inspecting materials for hidden flaws by using the ability of short wavelength
electromagnetic radiation (high energy photons) to penetrate various materials.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

SO International Standards ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good
quality. For business, they are strategic tools that reduce costs by minimizing waste and errors,
and increasing productivity. They help companies to access new markets, level the playing
field for developing countries and facilitate free and fair global trade.
The ISO 14000 family addresses various aspects of environmental management. It provides
practical tools for companies and organizations looking to identify and control their
environmental impact and constantly improve their environmental performance
The ISO 27000 family of standards helps organizations keep information assets secure.
ISO 9000 - Quality management

ISO 9001:2008 - sets out the requirements of a quality management system

ISO 9000:2005 - covers the basic concepts and language
ISO 9004:2009 - focuses on how to make a quality management system more efficient and
effective

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

ASME is an engineering society, a standards organization, a research and
development organization a provider of training and education, and a nonprofit organization.
ASME is one of the oldest standards-developing organizations in America. It produces
approximately 600 codes and standards, covering many technical areas, such as boiler
components, elevators, and measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits, cranes, hand tools,
fasteners, and machine tools.
According to ASME

A Standard can be defined as a set of technical definitions and guidelines that function as
instructions for designers, manufacturers, operators, or users of equipment.
A standard becomes a Code when it has been adopted by one or more governmental bodies
and is enforceable by law, or when it has been incorporated into a business contract.

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)

BPVC is a standard that provides rules for the design, fabrication, and inspection of
boilers and pressure vessels

ASME Performance Test Codes (PTC)

ASME Performance Test Codes (PTCs) provide uniform rules and procedures for the
planning, preparation , execution, and reporting of performance test results. Test results
provide numerical characteristics to the performance of equipment, systems, and plants
being tested.
Examples of ASME Performance Test Codes:

ASME PTC 6 Steam Turbines

ASME PTC 8.2 Centrifugal Pumps

ASME PTC 11 Fans

ASME PTC 12.5 Single Phase Heat Exchangers
ASME PTC 19.1 Test Uncertainty
ASME PTC 22 Gas Turbines

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

Standards
Provides electronic full-text of current ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
Standards. ASTM standards include test methods, specifications, accepted practice, and
accepted terminology for materials, products, systems and services. ASTM standards are used
around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade,
and build consumer confidence.