Ferrite Testing Services

Product Description

Ferrite Content Analysis is a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method that provides crucial data for assessing austenitic stainless steel and duplex materials.

Purpose and Benefits:

The delta ferrite percentage or Ferrite Number (FN) allows for a technical evaluation of:

• Corrosion susceptibility
• Mechanical properties
• Service suitability and reliability

Testing Requirements:

• Proper ferrite testing requires both a minimum material thickness and a minimum specimen size.
• Test results are interpreted following current specifications and/or customer requirements.
• Reports may include drawings to indicate tested locations when necessary.

Applications:

Ferrite Testing applies to inspecting:

• Austenitic stainless steel and duplex stainless steels
• Welds (including tubing)
• Normal construction steel with austenitic chrome alloy steel welded cladding (e.g., boilers, vessels)
• Weldments, castings, forgings, weld overlays, and wrought materials
• Butt/fillet welds
• Stainless weld overlays on non-ferrous interfaces
• In-service and in-construction components

Advantages:

• Fast and accurate analysis
• Utilizes highly portable digital technology
• Offers variable calibration in both Ferrite Number (FN) and % Ferrite using AWS Standards
• Testing instruments comply with ANSI/AWS A4.2 and DIN EN ISO 8249 standards
• Calibration is traceable to internationally approved IIW secondary calibration standards

Limitations:

• Not suitable for materials above 125 deg F
• Surface preparation is critical for accurate results
• Requires both a minimum material thickness and specimen size
• The specimen's shape may affect results; correction calculations may be possible in some cases

Ferrite Content Analysis is a vital tool for ensuring material integrity, particularly in industries reliant on corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and long-term service reliability.