Nondestructive Inspection & Testing Machines | Portable On-Site Material Analysis | Instrumented Indentation Technique
Our nondestructive NDT inspection and testing machines and NDT tools help insure that materials used in high stress applications meet ever increasing technical standards and regulatory requirements when new, and remain stable throughout their service life.
As a material ages, mechanical, chemical, and thermal effects cause its dimensions, shape, and internal structure to change. Unchecked, these changes degrade the safety of the material and shorten its useful life. By being able to assess these changes on-site with portable, lightweight NDT testing and inspection equipment.
Our nondestructive NDT testing and inspection machines, equipment, and tools assist you in getting accurate data on the initial soundness of all materials, and an accurate evaluation of all material property changes over time, to ensure that your plant, equipment, and everything you produce will run safely and economically for the expected design life. NDT testing and inspection equipment gives you more flexibility to gather accurate, timely test data to lessen the likelihood of sudden, expensive, and potentially disastrous material failures.
Instrumented microindentation study on long-term aged materials
Our nondestructive testing machines use advanced instrumented indentation technique (IIT). AIS series nondestructive NDT testing and inspection equipment offers many advantages over competitive material analysis system offerings. Our nondestructive NDT testing and inspection machine functionality, internal sensors, and custom software are field upgradeable; setup and removal are easy and convenient. Testing methods and analytical results comply with ISO standards.
Our state-of-the-art nondestructive NDT inspection and testing machines are compact, portable, useable onsite, and easy to use. Our NDT inspection and testing machines provide information on material properties such as tensile properties, metal hardness elasticity, transformation, fracture toughness, and residual stress. Specimens remain in place during testing and are undamaged at test completion. Unlike conventional testing (which destroys the test sample), the AIS nondestructive inspection and testing machines leave only a tiny depth sensing indentation mark; the material’s properties and operating characteristics are unchanged. Frontics AIS nondestructive NDT testing and inspection machines help:
- Eliminate costly test sample preparation
- Prevent industrial accidents, regulatory and standards infractions
- Maximize service life, reduce manufacturing costs, and reduce the weight of structures
- Minimize or eliminate downtime
- Accurately estimate material reliability and identify appropriate times to repair, rebuild, or exchange
- Diagnose material degradation and aging, identify existing damage, and address conditions that may lead to future damage
- Verify stress removal heat treatment results before/after construction and after repair
The AIS Nondestructive NDT Testing and Inspection Equipment series is:
- Instrumented Indentation Technique
- Onsite Usable
- Reliable
- Precise
- Fast
- Economical
- Portable
- Easy to use
Compared with expensive and disruptive destructive testing methods, our AIS series nondestructive NDT equipment and portable NDT tools generate accurate test results that meet ISO and KEPIC standards.
We offer two nondestructive NDT inspection and testing machines, the AIS3000 (Advanced Indentation System 3000) and the AIS2100 (Advanced Indentation System 2100).
AIS3000 | Nondestructive Testing Equipment | Residual Stress Measurement | Instrumented Indentation Technique
 Advanced Indentation System 3000 | Nondestructive NDT Inspection Machine
The AIS3000 nondestructive testing equipment uses the Instrumented Indentation Technique to obtain data for residual stress, yield strength, tensile strength, and elastic modulus.
The AIS3000 nondestructive testing and inspection machine can evaluate welding residual stress of structures and equipment. An indentation of less than 200mm can provide accurate, repeatable results.
With its portability, ease of use, and wireless communication capabilities, the AIS300 performs nondestructive, onsite evaluation quickly and efficiently. The many advantages of using the AIS3000 include:
- Reproducible mechanical testing in the field
- Evaluate welding residual stress of structures and equipment
- Evaluate tensile properties of materials under development
- Pre-qualification test for structures and equipment under construction
- Onsite NDT Testing and Inspection of Structures
- ITT
The AIS3000 nondestructive NDT testing and inspection machine package includes:
- All testing components
- Wide dovetail slider for multi-point indentation using one attachment point
- Laboratory and field scales
- Micro-positioning stage and swivel mount for laboratory use
- All necessary analysis and reporting software
The AIS3000 portable nondestructive testing and inspection machine in action in laboratories and field sites:
 AIS 2100 Nondestructive Inspection and Testing & Testing Machine | Portable
AIS2100 | Nondestructive NDT Testing Equipment | Tensile Analysis| Instrumented Indentation Technique
With more capability than other hardness testing machines, the AIS2100 nondestructive NDT inspection and testing machine is
 Advanced Indentation System 2100 | Nondestructive NDT Inspection Machine
extremely easy to transport and use in the field, and obtains precise load and depth data continuously.
This lightweight tool generates an indentation load depth curve used to show tensile properties such as flow curve, yield strength, tensile strength, and work hardening exponent. The advantages of the AIS2100 nondestructive NDT Inspection Machine include:
- Nondestructive, reproducible field testing of tensile strength and hardness
- Nondestructive testing of metal structures
- Data accuracy for yield strength, tensile strength, and work hardening index surpasses other ndt testing methods
- Tests do not require initial data input
- Portable
The AIS2100 nondestructive NDT inspection and testing machine has a high power motor and high-strength decelerator and precisely controls moving parts and speed. It comes with multiple indenters for Rockwell A/C/D and Vickers hardness measurement.
This complete nondestructive NDT inspection machine package includes mechanical chain, u-block joint jig, v-block joint jig, flat/curvature magnet base, all indentation components, and custom software for analysis and reporting.
The AIS2100 Nondestructive Testing and NDT Inspection Machines in action in laboratories and in-field sites:
 AIS 2100 Nondestructive Testing & Inspection Equipment | Field and Laboratory Use | Instrumented Indentation Technique
AIS2100 Nondestructive Testing & Inspection Machine| Instrumented Indentation Technique ITT
 AIS2100 Non Destructive Testing and Inspection Machine Hardware | NDT Testing Machines
Some AIS Nondestructive Testing and NDT Inspection Equipment clients:
- Hyundai Motor Company
- Kepco Keptri
- Posco
- Samsung Electronics
- Kieco
- Kitech
- GNTP
- Seoul National University
- GE Energy
- ExxonMobil
- Shell Global Solution
- Boeing
- JFE Steel
- Osaka University
AIS3000 | Nondestructive NDT Testing Equipment Specification | On-site Nondestructive Testing NDT
| Specifications |
| Nondestructive Inspection | Size | 180 x 180 x 430 mm (14 kg) |
| Maximum Load | 300 kgf |
| Resolutions (Load / Depth) | 5.6 gf / 0.1um |
| Full Stroke | 40 mm |
| Loading rate | 0.05 - 60 mm / min |
| Communication | RS-422/ wireless module |
| Data acquisition rate | 100 / sec |
| Power | Adapter | AC 110 V - 220 V | AC 110 - 220 V (free voltage) |
| Battery | | Portable battery (Lasts for 10 hrs) |
| Analyzing Computer | Standard | Lap-top PC (w / SW) | Lap-top PC (w / SW) |
| Special | Rugged Computer (Optional) |
| Indenter | | WC spherical indenter (Dia. 0.5 / 1.0 mm) Vickers, Rockwell C indenter | WC spherical Indenter (Dia. 0.5 / 1.0 mm) Vickers Indenter |
Attachment Tool (Select or option) | Field | Multicurve magnet Flat magnet Light-weight mechanical chain U-block (3 - 6inch) Multi-point dovetail slider |
| Laboratory | Precise X-Y axis stage Various vises (plate / clamping jig) | Precise X-Y axis stage Various vises (plate /c lamping jig) |
AIS2100 | Nondestructive (NDT) Testing Equipment Specification | On-site Portable Nondestructive NDT Testing
| Specifications |
| Nondestructive Inspection | Size | 180 x 180 x 430 mm (14 kg) |
| Maximum Load | 300 kgf |
| Resolutions (Load / Depth) | 100 gf / 0.2um |
| Full Stroke | 40 mm |
| Loading rate | 0.05 - 30 mm / min |
| Communication | RS-422 |
| Data acquisition rate | 30 / sec |
| Power | Adapter | AC 110 V - 220 V | AC 110 - 220 V (free voltage) |
| Battery | | Portable battery (Lasts for 10 hrs) |
| Analyzing Computer | Standard | Lap-top PC (w / SW) | Lap-top PC (w / SW) |
| Special | Rugged Computer (Optional) |
| Indenter | | WC spherical indenter (Dia. 0.5 / 1.0 mm) Vickers, Rockwell C indenter | WC spherical Indenter (Dia. 0.5 / 1.0 mm) Vickers Indenter |
Attachment Tool (Select or option) | Field | Multicurve magnet Flat magnet Light-weight mechanical chain U / V-block (- 6 inch) |
| Laboratory | Precise X-Y axis stage Various vises (plate / clamping jig) | Precise X-Y axis stage Various vises (plate /c lamping jig) |
| Model | Tensile Properties | Residual Stress | Hardness | Fracture Toughness |
| AIS2100 | Yes | N/A | Extra payment Required for this Option | Extra payment Required for this Option |
| AIS3000 | Yes | Yes | Extra payment Required for this Option | Extra payment Required for this Option |
 The AIS Nondestructive Testing and Inspection Equipment | NDT Software Program
The AIS Series of Nondestructive NDT Inspection Machines vs. ABI (Automated Ball Indentation)
| NDT Instrumented Indentation Technique vs. Automated Ball Indentation | Automated Ball Indentation (ABI)
| Instrumented Indentation Technique Test (IIT) or depth-sensing indentation / nanoindentation
| "Instrumented Indentation Technique Test (IIT)
/ Microindentation / Macroindentation
(Micro AIS / AIS 2100 or AIS3000)
|
Computer Control
| Automated - computer-controlled motion is mandatory for intermediate partial unloadings, continuous load-depth sensing (1) (2)
| Instrumented - instrumented does not equal automated continuous depth-sensing (10)
| "Everything's controlled using computer, continuous indentation test. User selects the method of load control and displacement control then tests with it.
continuous indentation test invented back in 1977 (7)"
|
Load Range (F)
| Macroscopic (2N ≤ F ≤ 5000 N)
| Ultra-low load, nano-indentation (0.05 N≤ F ≤0.50 N) (4) (5)
| "Micro-indentation: 0.1 mN ≤ F ≤ 20 N
Macro-indentaiton: 10 mN ≤ F ≤ 3000 N"
|
Depth Range (h)
| 40μm ≤ h ≤ 400 μm
| Nano range: h ≤ 0.2 μm (4) (5)
| "Micro-indentation: 0.01 μm ≤ h ≤ 15 μm
Macro-indentaiton: 0.1 μm ≤ h ≤ 40000 μm"
|
Indenter Geometry
| Ball (≥250μm)
| Pyramidal Berkovich, (4) (5)
Small ball indenter (<50μm) rarely used due to unacceptable geometry
| "Spherical (Not weld & not housing, The gap doesn't exist between indenter and body)
Microindentation: ≥25μm
Macroindentation: ≥250.μm"
Micro Vickers / Vickers
|
Load/Displacement Shape
| Linear
| Curve
| Linear
|
Partial Unloading Technique
| Yes (1) (2)
| No
| Yes
|
Indent Measurement
| Analytical
| Analytical and optical
| Analytical
|
Calibration
| Load cell calibrated per ASTM E4 and E74
LVDT calibrated with traceable micrometer
| No calibration blocks exist for Martens hardness or indentation modulus
| Load cell calibrated per ASTM E4 and E74
Depth sensor calibration: Cycle is every 250 years (Optical type)
|
Vibration Table Required
| No
| Yes
| No
|
Load Frame Springs
| N/A
| Yes
| N/A
|
True-Stress vs True-Plastic-Strain Curve Comparable to Conventional Tension Test
| Yes
Nondestructive (1) (2)
| No
| Yes (No need of reference)
Nondestructive (6) (8)
|
Yield Strength
| Yes
Nondestructive (1) (2)
| No
| Yes (No need of reference)
Nondestructive (6) (8)
|
Strain-Hardening Exponent (n) (uniform ductility)
| Yes
Nondestructive (1) (2)
| No
| Yes (No need of reference)
Nondestructive (6) (8)
|
Strength Coefficient (K)
| Yes
Nondestructive (1) (2)
| No
| Yes (No need of reference)
Nondestructive (6) (8)
|
Precision Values
| Yes, complete 6-lab ILS per ASTM E691, ILS report submitted to ASTM E28
| Limited 1-lab, 1-machine (nano range), Berkovich indenter. No demonstrated inter-laboratory precision values. Machine was not verified and no calibration blocks used.
| Yes, complete 6-lab ILS per ASTM E691, ILS report submitted to ASTM E28
|
Fracture Toughness of Metals - Haggag Toughness Method (HTM)
| Yes, nondestructive
Determined from ball indentation deformation energy of metallic materials
| No
| Yes (9)
|
Elastic Modulus
| Yes,
Nondestructive (2)
| Indentation Modulus (3)
* Indentation Modulus may or may not correlate to elastic modulus
| Yes (No need of reference) (3)
Nondestructive
|
Hardness
| ABI Hardness
| Yes - Martens Hardness from quasi-destructive pyramidal Berkovich indenter.
Martens hardness cannot be obtained from spherical indenter (3)
| Vickers hardness using Instrumented Indentation Technique - IIT (3)
|
Thin Films
| N/A
| Yes
| Yes (Micro indentation)
|
Tribological Behavior
| N/A
| Yes
| N/A
|
Ceramics
| N/A
| Yes
| N/A
|
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