Capabilities

The Center for NDE has some of the most advanced inspection and imaging systems in the world. These systems are primarily used for conducting research but are often also used for engineering problems solving. However, it is also equipped with a variety of commercially available instruments to facilitate transfer of the technology from the university to industry. This equipment centers around visual, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, x-ray, ultrasonic, and eddy current inspection, which are the six most commonly used NDE methods. Sophisticated laboratory systems allow real-time x-ray imaging, and ultrasonic and eddy current scanning. Portable equipment is available for all methods except x-ray, permitting demonstrations and evaluations to be conducted at a company's facility.

X-ray computed tomography and other advanced NDE capabilities are also available at CNDE. Additional capabilities, such as microwave imaging and magnetic-property measurement, are available through the Ames Laboratory, a US Department of Energy facility, and other Iowa State University resources.