INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN LOCATING ELUDING MICRO LEAKS CASE STUDIES
B. S. C. Rao, M. Gopalakirshna, A. Bhaskaran, R. Subbaratnam and M. Palaniappan
Quality Assurance Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
Kalpakkam 603 102, India
Keywords: tube-to-tube sheet, micro leaks, penetrant, capillary action, isolation and gang probing
ABSTRACT This paper explains the work experience in the nondestructive testing of tube-to-tube sheet weld joints of sodium heat exchanger of Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), in locating unacceptable micro leaks by colour contrast penetrant test and maintaining vacuum on shell side to enhance capillary action of penetrant and probing by techniques of isolation and gang probing. The other case study pertains to experience in locating the micro leak developed in ultra high vacuum thin film deposition chamber dished end to nozzle weld by application of fluorescent penetrant dye on the exterior of the weld and maintaining vacuum inside the vacuum chamber.
Publication Source: Trends in NDE Science & Technology; Proceedings of the 14th World Conference on Non-Destructive Testing, New Delhi, 8-13 December 1996.Vol. 2, pages 1231 - 1234
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing Company
© NDTnet
NDTnet
