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:
- Planner defects- e.g. fatigue cracks; LOF in welds; stress corrosion cracks; cold shuts in castings
- Laminations- e.g. in rolling/ forging plates
iii) Voids & Inclusions- slag inclusions & porosity in weldments; also voids in castings and forgings
- Wall thinning-life wall loss due to corrosion & erosion e.g. in pipelines and tank vessels
- Corrosion pits-localized deep areas of corrosion attack eg.in oil and water tanks
- 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.