Material testing involves assessing and defining the properties and characteristics of materials. This process includes subjecting materials to various conditions and forces to comprehend their behavior under different circumstances. The primary objective of material testing is to guarantee that materials utilized in construction, manufacturing, research, or other applications adhere to specific standards and performance criteria. Various types of material testing encompass mechanical property testing, chemical properties testing, physical properties testing, durability testing, non-destructive testing (NDT), corrosion testing, fatigue testing, and dimensional stability testing. To maintain consistency and accuracy in material testing, standards organizations like ASTM International and ISO offer guidelines for conducting these tests.
Government agencies and public sector undertakings (PSUs) often conduct material testing for various reasons, highlighting the significance of guaranteeing the quality, safety, and adherence to standards of materials in a wide range of projects and applications. Sectors like construction, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and manufacturing rely heavily on material testing to assure the safety, reliability, and efficacy of materials in diverse applications. This study examines the non-destructive testing (NDT) tenders released by government agencies and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in India during the preceding year, 2023.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) encompasses a range of inspection techniques utilized to assess the properties, integrity, and performance of materials, components, or structures. It achieves this without causing any damage or altering their physical structure. The primary objective of NDT is to detect defects, discontinuities, or irregularities in materials without resorting to destructive methods, enabling the evaluation of the item’s quality and reliability. Various techniques are used in the NDT, such as Ultrasonic testing (UT), radiographic testing (RT), magnetic particle testing (MPT), liquid penetrant testing (LPT), eddy current testing (ECT), visual testing (VT), and acoustic emission testing (AET).
Government agencies and PSUs publish tenders for procuring NDT services to ensure the safety, reliability, and compliance of materials across various sectors, ranging from critical infrastructure projects to aerospace and defense applications. It plays a crucial role in maintaining public safety, meeting regulatory standards, and upholding the quality of materials used in government projects and initiatives. A total of 367 NDT tenders were advertised across 97 states in India. Among these, the top three states were: West Bengal (64 tenders), Maharashtra (59 tenders) and Andhra Pradesh (25 tenders).
Out of the total 367 Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) tenders, 32 were released by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) in different states for diverse inspections, including pipelines, valves, and steel structures. For instance, IOCL in Gujarat published a tender for advanced NDT inspection of pipelines at culvert road crossings and dyke crossings using the LRUT technique. Additionally, IOCL in Haryana issued a tender seeking highly skilled assistance for various inspection and NDT tasks at the Panipat refinery.
Western Coalfields Limited released 27 NDT tenders across different states. Generally, organizations in the coal mining sector utilize NDT for multiple purposes, including ensuring structural integrity, inspecting equipment, assessing pipeline and piping systems, assuring safety, complying with regulations, and implementing preventive maintenance measures. As an example, WCL in Maharashtra has issued a tender for the non-destructive testing of BE-1000 hydraulic excavators. Additionally, WCL in West Bengal has published a tender for the NDT of the chair lift man-riding system and wire rope every six months for a duration of three years at Nehariya.
As of 11th January 2024, there are 9 live tenders for nondestructive tenders in India. Among these Madhya Pradesh leads with 3 tenders, and Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu have 1 tender each.
Ultrasonic testing (UT):
Ultrasonic testing (UT) serves as a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique employed to assess material integrity and identify internal flaws or discontinuities. It relies on the principles of sound waves, specifically ultrasonic waves, this method is utilized across a range of materials such as metals, plastics, composites, and certain ceramics. Its widespread application extends to various industries like manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and oil and gas, where it proves instrumental in evaluating material quality and structural soundness. Common applications involve identifying internal defects like cracks, voids, and porosity in welds, castings, forgings, and structural components. Ultrasonic testing is particularly valuable because it can be applied to both thin and thick materials and is capable of detecting subsurface flaws.
This analysis shows that Government agencies and PSUs in diverse states released a combined total of 260 tenders specifically for nondestructive testing using ultrasonic techniques. Notable purchasers of these ultrasonic testing services include Indian Oil Corporation Limited (27 tenders), Government of India Epublish system (20 tenders), and the Department of Defence Production (DDP) with 14 tenders across various states. Within these 260 tenders, Uttar Pradesh takes the lead with 34 tenders (13%), followed by Maharashtra with 29 tenders, and West Bengal with 25 tenders.
Out of the overall tenders, 73 specifically focused on ultrasonic testing for evaluating the thickness of pipelines, gauges, and pressure vessels. As an illustration, Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL) in Kerala released a tender for conducting an ultrasonic thickness survey of piping and equipment. Similarly, Gajraula Hasanpur Kisan Sahkari Chini Mills Ltd in Uttar Pradesh issued a tender for ultrasonic/thickness testing and dynamic balancing of various equipment at their mill site, to be carried out by reputable contractors. Additionally, GAIL in Maharashtra advertised a tender for a two-year Annual Rate Contract (ARC) for ultrasonic thickness assessment of the natural gas pipeline network.
Furthermore, ultrasonic testing tenders were published for diverse applications. For example, Northern Coalfield Limited (NCL) in Uttar Pradesh issued a tender for the hydraulic and ultrasonic testing of 159 air tanks across various excavation departments. In another instance, HPCL Biofuels Limited in Bihar called for a tender for ultrasonic flaw detection of shafts and dynamic balancing of rotating equipment. Additionally, the Government of India ePublishing System in Andhra Pradesh released a tender for long-range ultrasonic testing of pipelines at HPCL.
This analysis shows that government agencies’ procurement of non-destructive and ultrasonic testing is driven by a commitment to public safety, adherence to regulations, and the responsible management of public infrastructure and assets. As the country develops, the government increasingly emphasizes upholding the quality and integrity of materials and structures, thereby contributing significantly to the overall well-being of communities. Consequently, the demand for testing measures such as NDT and ultrasonic testing from the government will increase in the coming years. Therefore, it is recommended that firms engaged in these testing services actively monitor and participate in relevant tender opportunities.
