The various products tested in mechanical (destructive lab)include, but not limited to

 Construction industry

Steel bars

steel sections (cold & hot rolled)

plastic pipes & fittings

Steel fabric & weld mesh

Steel fencing wires e.g  chain link, barbed wire

Bolts & nuts

Welding electrodes

Automotive industry

Leaf springs

Filters

Shock absorbers

Spark plugs

Safety helmets

Tyres & tubes

motor vehicle exhaust

Fuel tanks

Brake pads & linings

Farm tools

Forks & Jembes

Shovels

Knapsack sprayer

Matches

Wheelbarrows

Household goods

Cutlery

Earthenware

Glassware

Plastic ware

Gas burners & regulators

Aluminium utensils

Melamine ware

Stainless steel utensils

Vacuum Flasks

kerosene & biomass stoves

 

As per the various standards against which above products are tested  the following parameters are analysed in the lab

 

Tensile strength

Yield stress

Elongation

Dimensional tests

Shear tests

Weld

Bend & rebend tests

Efficiency of stoves

Hardness (Vickers, Rockwell,Brinnel)

Impact tests

Heat reversion tests

Performance tests

Zinc coating analysis

Mechanical strength tests

 

The lab uses both in house developed test methods and standard test methods on the various products. It has well maintained and calibrated equipment and tools to carry out above tests .In addition it has a pool of qualified technicians and analyst who carry out the tests and timely issue test reports.

(To attach a photo of the tensile test equipment)

KEBS-NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING LABORATORY

KEBS NDT Laboratory was established in early 1980’s with the assistance of the German government to provide inspection and testing services in Kenya. The laboratory has been collaborating with IAEA on the promotion and use of NDT applications in the region and for instance in the period 2007-2011, it successfully partnered with other stake holders through AFRA project RAF/8/043: Promoting Sustainability of Non- Destructive Testing Facilities.

The facility is adequately equipped with certified personnel and equipment to perform NDT inspections both within the lab and on site in the following Methods:

Ultrasonic, Testing (UT)

Magnetic-particle, Testing (MT)

Liquid penetrant, Testing PT

Radiographic, Testing (RT)

Visual Testing (VT),

Eddy current testing (ET)

The laboratory also offers in-house training (on attachment basis) as well as consultancy services, including collaboration in research programmes in the above related fields. The training centres on:

• NDT Codes & Standards interpretations
• Radiographic film interpretation & evaluation
• Weld testing/examination Techniques
• Basic NDT methods (PT, MT, UT, RT ,ET & VT) and their applications; both theory & practical

( attach photo of MT and RT equipment)

Below is an overview of the main NDT sectors and the scopes of application

Sector/Industry	Scope of Application
Welding Industry	Weld Performance & qualification  tests
Transport & infrastructure	Automotive industry-frame/engine parts
Chemical & Petrochemical	Inspection services relating to Liquefied petroleum Gas (LPG ) cylinders
Power generation-Geothermal	Integrity of Steam pipelines &turbine inspections
Industrial & manufacturing sector	Inspection of process  equipment’s -eg Boilers  and pressure vessels
Water; oil & gas industry	Pipelines & storage Vessels/tanks -corrosion mapping inspections
Mining Industry	Inspection of Mining rigs & other machinery
Building Construction Industry	Inspection of Building structures  (NDT in concrete) & related vessels
Marine Industry	Inspection of  sea  vessel components on dry dock & port equipment

Amongst the types of flaws/discontinuities that may be detected using NDT methods include:

1. Planner defects- e.g. fatigue cracks; LOF in welds; stress corrosion cracks; cold shuts in castings
2. Laminations- e.g. in rolling/ forging plates

iii) Voids & Inclusions- slag inclusions & porosity in weldments; also voids in castings and forgings

1. Wall thinning-life wall loss due to corrosion & erosion e.g. in pipelines and tank vessels
2. Corrosion pits-localized deep areas of corrosion attack eg.in oil and water tanks
3. Structural deformities such as dents, bulges &ovality in pressure vessels.

The laboratory operates a QMS under ISO 17025 and is a currently pursuing accreditation in the four NDT methods (PT; RT; UT; &MT) with SANAS of South Africa.

In line with Vision 2030 strategy-which focuses on expanded technological advancement with an establishment of a nuclear plant in the country; the laboratory in conjunction with Nairobi University (INST) along with other stake holders have been earmarked to co-ordinate IAEA project (KEN 2016005; 2018-2021) that will establish an approved NDT training & Certification facility in the East  African region.