Automated ultrasonic testing is an integral validation tool utilized to detect defects in seamless pipes during the manufacturing process. The primary objective of AUT is to ensure newly manufactured seamless pipes are free of laminar imperfection such as non-metallic inclusions.
This paper describes the automatic ultrasonic testing (AUT) techniques capabilities applied to seamless pipe mills to detect non-metallic inclusions that could have an impact on the quality of the produced pipes. In addition, it covers all relevant applicable testing experiments applied to different sized seamless pipes by using different types of AUT machines. This paper discusses the capabilities of different static and dynamic calibration methodologies of detecting non-metallic inclusions. An assessment has been conducted on five (5) seamless pipes produced with non-metallic inclusions scattered along pipes lengths. The assessment revealed the recommended calibration and testing methodology capable of detecting non-metallic inclusion. Accordingly, a statistical analysis is presented to report the repeatability of different AUT techniques in detecting non-metallic inclusions in newly manufactured seamless pipes.