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TOFD ultrasonic testing (Time of Flight Diffraction) is a highly precise, volumetric NDT technique used to detect and measure discontinuities in welded joints and steel components. The TOFD technique uses the diffraction of ultrasonic waves at the edges of discontinuities, enabling their detection and precise sizing.

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At Ultrarent we use dedicated TOFD flaw detectors with wideband probes and modern scanners, which allows discontinuities to be sized with an accuracy of <0.5 mm, regardless of their orientation. Compared with conventional UT and RT, TOFD is faster, safer (no radiation), provides a full digital B-scan/D-scan record for later assessment and validation, and also minimises false indications thanks to the analysis of diffraction from the tips of discontinuities. Testing is carried out in accordance with EN ISO 10863, by inspectors certified to EN ISO 9712, level 2 and 3.

In practice this means:

very high testing speed – especially for thick-walled components
very high detectability, particularly for planar, linear discontinuities
precise sizing of the length and height of discontinuities (accuracy <0.5 mm) regardless of their orientation
no ionising radiation and fast scanning speed – the ability to replace RT in many applications, shortening inspection time and eliminating the need to designate safety zones
a complete data record of the test carried out, enabling later analysis
detection of welding discontinuities such as cracks, lack of fusion and lack of penetration, inclusions and other linear discontinuities
testing of welded joints in pipelines, pressure vessels and steel structures
in-service inspections of equipment in the power, petrochemical and refining industries
Badania Ultradźwiękowe TOFD

is a highly precise, volumetric NDT technique used to detect and measure discontinuities in welded joints and steel components. The TOFD technique uses the diffraction of ultrasonic waves at the edges of discontinuities, enabling their detection and precise sizing.

ULTRARENT Sp. z o.o. is a professional non-destructive testing (NDT) laboratory that provides testing and inspection services across the entire country — from Pomerania to the Subcarpathian region, and from Lower Silesia to Podlasie. Thanks to our wide operating reach and qualified team of specialists, we offer comprehensive service for both medium and large enterprises, as well as smaller industrial plants — in every voivodeship of Poland

List of voivodeships we serve:

Lower Silesian Kuyavian-Pomeranian Lesser Poland Masovian Opole Subcarpathian Podlaskie Pomeranian Łódź Lubusz Silesian Świętokrzyskie Greater Poland Kuyavian-Pomeranian Warmian-Masurian West Pomeranian

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TOFD is a method with very high detectability and fast scanning speed, which is why it works very well for inspecting long, repetitive welded joints. Unfortunately, it requires placing probes on both sides of the tested joint, which is not always possible, it has dead zones, and in some cases it can prove too sensitive.

Badania ultradźwiękowe (TOFD)

TFM ultrasonic testing is a precise volumetric NDT method that uses full image reconstruction from ultrasonic wave data (Full Matrix Capture) to detect and precisely size discontinuities in welded joints and steel components.

Instead of TOFD testing:

Radiographic testing (RT) is an NDT method in which X-ray or gamma radiation passes through the tested component and creates an image of its internal structure.​

This makes it possible to quickly and reliably detect typical material discontinuities in castings and welded joints, such as cracks, gas pores, inclusions, voids or lack of penetration.

Ultrasonic testing (UT) is an NDT method in which an ultrasonic wave is introduced into the tested component via a probe, and the reflected signals are analysed in order to detect internal and surface discontinuities.

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) is an advanced NDT method in which a multi-element ultrasonic probe generates an electronically steered beam at multiple angles in a single scan, enabling a full volumetric assessment of welds, castings and structural components.

Complementary methods

Hardness testing (HT) using the Leeb and UCI (Ultrasonic Contact Impedance) methods are portable, non-destructive techniques for measuring the hardness of metals, which can be applied directly to finished components, structures and installations.

Visual testing (VT) is a basic NDT method involving the assessment of surface condition and component geometry through direct observation or observation using

TOFD uses a pair of probes placed on either side of the weld to record the travel time of diffracted waves from the tips of a discontinuity – allowing precise sizing of depth and length regardless of the defect’s orientation (unlike standard UT testing).

High sensitivity and detectability, a complete record of the test, fast inspection and easy interpretation, no harmful ionising radiation, and the possibility of immediate assessment.

The method is particularly effective at detecting discontinuities such as: cracks, lack of penetration, lack of fusion and laminations. TOFD makes it possible to verify the height and length of a defect with high accuracy, which is extremely important when assessing against strict acceptance criteria.

In many cases, yes. TOFD has very high detectability and it’s worth considering for thick-walled components. Testing speed will undoubtedly be a major advantage here. In addition, with the TOFD technique we can precisely determine the depth of an indication and measure its height.

These are areas near the weld cap and root surfaces where diffracted signals from a discontinuity can be masked by the surface wave and the wave reflected from the back wall. The size of these zones is usually a few millimetres and depends on the probe size and frequency, the wedge angle and the PCS value (the distance between the transmitting and receiving probes)

Unfortunately not. The minimum wall thickness is 6 mm. In practice this also requires the use of high-frequency probes. For very thin components, the use of PAUT or digital radiography (DR) is recommended.

Interpretation of the results can be carried out almost immediately. The entire course of the test is recorded digitally, which allows re-analysis without the need to repeat the test. The scanning itself is fast, which makes it possible to inspect long joints in a very short time.

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PAUT

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)

TFM

Ultrasonic Testing Total Focusing Method (TFM)

CR/DR

Digital radiography (DR)

VT

Visual testing (VT)

MT

Magnetic particle testing (MT)

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