With the increasing use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping for nuclear applications, nondestructive evaluation is an important tool for evaluation of the integrity in fused joints. This paper will discuss the method of using ultrasonic phased array for inspecting butt-fusion (BF) joints in HDPE piping. The benefit of phased array is the ability to perform a volumetric inspection using multiple angles, which greatly increases the probability of detection of defects and allows the data to be analyzed using a representative two-dimensional image of the joint. It has been determined that successfully producing BF joints is highly dependent on environmental and mating-surface conditions. The primary defects of concern are lack-of-fusion, an area of the joint where there is no bond, cold fusion, an area of partial bond, and inclusion. Phased array has successfully demonstrated the ability of detecting and characterizing these defects using low frequency ultrasound. Factors addressed include joint location, wall thickness, material temperature, transducer wedge material, and manual versus automated data acquisition.

1.
Naujock
,
D.
, and
Basavaraju
,
C.
, 2008, “
Safety Evaluation by the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Relief Request No. 06-CN-003, Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
,” Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.
2.
Crawford
,
S. L.
,
Cumblidge
,
S. E.
,
Doctor
,
S. R.
,
Hall
,
T. E.
, and
Anderson
,
M. T.
, 2008, “
Preliminary Assessment of NDE Methods on Inspection of HDPE Butt Fusion Piping Joints for Lack of Fusion
,” JCN N6398, Task 2D, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.
3.
Naujock
,
D.
, and
Basavaraju
,
C.
, 2008, “
Safety Evaluation by the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Relief Request No. I3R-10, Third 10-Year Inservice Inspection Interval, Union Electric Company, Callaway Plant, Unit1
,” Docket No. 50-483, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.
4.
Moles
,
M.
,
Davis
,
M.
,
Magruder
,
C.
, and
Ciorau
,
P.
, 2005,
Phased Array Technical Guidelines: Useful Formulas, Graphs, and Examples
,
R/D Tech Corp.
,
Quebec City
, pp.
5
79
.
You do not currently have access to this content.