Thickness Testing

Overview

Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) is a vital non-destructive testing discipline used to accurately determine the remaining wall thickness of structural steelwork, pressure vessels, and mechanical components. In the operation of cranes and heavy plant, environmental exposure and mechanical wear inevitably lead to material loss through corrosion, erosion, and abrasion. For critical load-bearing assets—such as crane booms, structural columns, spreader beams, and maritime lifting equipment—unmonitored section loss severely compromises the structural capacity and safety factor of the equipment. Our UTM services utilize advanced high-frequency sound waves to measure the exact thickness of steel from a single side, enabling thorough integrity assessments without the need to drill test holes or dismantle complex assemblies. This empirical data is essential for validating the ongoing structural viability of aging plant against OEM specifications and WHS requirements.

Consistent thickness monitoring is a cornerstone of proactive asset life-cycle management. By conducting systematic UTM surveys, our technicians map the extent of localized pitting and general corrosion across an asset, providing engineering teams with the precise data required to calculate corrosion rates and remaining safe operational life. Our procedures comply rigorously with AS 2452.3, utilizing state-of-the-art digital thickness gauges equipped with echo-to-echo technology, which allows us to measure the true metal thickness while completely ignoring the thickness of protective paint coatings. For facility managers and principal contractors, this translates to rapid, cost-effective structural assessments that directly support major inspection requirements, inform preventative maintenance budgets, and ensure that lifting operations proceed with total confidence in the asset's structural reserve.