FAQ

Founded in 1981, GammaTec NDT Supplies SOC Ltd is a leading global provider of non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment, accessories, and consumables. Headquartered in Vereeniging, South Africa, and operating as a subsidiary of NTP Radioisotopes, we have over 44 years of experience and service customers in over 70 countries through our dedicated network.

GammaTec offers a comprehensive, full-spectrum range of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) solutions. Our portfolio spans advanced equipment, daily consumables, and critical accessories for methodologies like Radiography, Ultrasonic Testing, Electromagnetic Testing, and Visual Inspection. Alongside hardware, we offer professional maintenance, repair, and calibration services.

Yes, GammaTec is a premier global supplier of NDT equipment. We supply everything from simple penetrant dyes to highly advanced Phased Array UT systems and Digital Radiography panels, successfully distributing to clients in over 70 countries worldwide.

GammaTec is a proud distributor of top global brands, including BASF Chemetall, Carestream, CHC Nav, Cygnus, Ether NDE, Flyability, Incertech, Maxwell, Nexxis, NTP, Oserix, Phoenix, Proceq, Sonatest, Senseven, Sorama, Teledyne ICM and Tracerco.

Yes. Our head office and distributors are equipped with dedicated maintenance departments staffed by highly qualified technicians. We are fully equipped to expertly repair, maintain, and accurately calibrate the wide range of specialized products we sell.

Yes, we do offer rental options for various types of NDT equipment. Please speak directly to one of our sales representatives for more information regarding our current rental fleet and specific availability.

While our primary business focus is the supply, maintenance, and calibration of industrial NDT equipment, we often provide product-specific familiarization and operational support for the advanced systems we supply. For formal, certified NDT personnel training, we recommend consulting accredited NDT training institutions.

Our company motto is "CUSTOMER IS KING." Our Turnkey One-Stop policy means we provide a seamless, comprehensive experience—from supplying standard consumables to handling highly sensitive products like Radioisotopes and Ultrasonic Flaw Detectors, backed by comprehensive after-sales support.

NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) refers to an array of analysis techniques used to evaluate the properties of a material, component, or system without causing damage. The basics involve a source of energy or testing medium, a material to be tested, and a method to capture the interaction.

The fundamentals of NDT rely on applying scientific phenomena—like electromagnetism, acoustics, and penetrating radiation—to identify structural discontinuities. It ensures parts are fit for their intended purpose while remaining fully operational after testing.

NDT Inspection is the physical or analytical process of examining a component for internal or external flaws, cracks, or thickness variations, without compromising its future usefulness.

NDT Inspection is done by certified technicians who apply specific methods (like X-rays or sound waves) to a part, record the resulting data or images, and interpret them against strict engineering codes to either accept or reject the component.

NDT is used to prevent catastrophic failures, save lives, and reduce operational costs. By finding microscopic flaws early, companies can repair infrastructure before it breaks, avoiding expensive downtime and accidents.

The importance of NDT cannot be overstated. It is the primary quality control and safety assurance tool across global infrastructure, ensuring everything from the airplanes we fly to the pipelines carrying our fuel are inherently safe.

The most common types include Radiographic Testing (RT), Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT), Electromagnetic Testing (ET), Visual Inspection (VT), Acoustic Emission (AE), and Leak Detection.

NDT products are the specific consumables, tools, and accessories used to perform tests. This includes items like penetrant dyes, X-ray films, ultrasonic couplants, and calibration blocks.

NDT equipments refer to the physical hardware instruments used by inspectors. This ranges from simple magnetic yokes and UV lamps to highly sophisticated digital flaw detectors and gamma ray projectors.

Basic NDT equipments include items used for traditional methods: aerosol cans for dye penetrants, portable electromagnets for MT, standard film viewers, analog Thickness Inspection gauges, and measuring calipers.

Advanced NDT products involve digitized, high-tech systems such as Phased Array UT scanners, Digital Radiography flat panel detectors, laser profilometers, and robotic crawlers.

Basic NDT Techniques refer to the conventional methods: standard visual inspection, liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, and conventional film radiography.

Advance NDT Techniques include sophisticated methods like Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD), Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), Computed Tomography (CT), and Close Proximity Radiography (GamCPR).

Advance NDT Services are specialized inspection tasks performed utilizing high-tech equipment. This includes automated pipeline mapping, 3D weld imaging, and utilizing Drones & Robotics for remote visual inspections in highly hazardous areas.

Radiography is the scientific use of penetrating radiation (such as X-rays or Gamma rays) to view the internal structure of an otherwise solid, opaque object.

Radiography testing (RT) is a specific NDT method that utilizes penetrating radiation to inspect a test part and find hidden internal defects, such as voids, porosity, or cracks in thick welds.

It is done by placing a radiation source on one side of a component and a detector (film or digital panel) on the other. The radiation passes through the material, and any variations in thickness or density (like an internal crack) appear darker on the resulting image.

Ultrasound refers to sound waves that vibrate at frequencies far higher than the human ear can detect. In industrial applications, these high-frequency waves are used to penetrate solid metals, plastics, and composites.

Ultrasonic testing (UT) uses a specialized transducer to send ultrasound waves into a material. When the sound hits a flaw or the back wall of the part, it echoes back. The time it takes for the echo to return tells the inspector exactly where the flaw is located.

An eddy current is a localized, circular electrical current induced within a conductive material by exposing it to an alternating magnetic field.

In Electromagnetic Testing, eddy currents are heavily used to detect surface cracks, measure the thickness of non-conductive coatings (like paint) on metals, sort materials by conductivity, and inspect heat exchanger tubing.

Surface inspection is a branch of NDT that focuses exclusively on finding flaws that break the outer skin of a material. Common methods include Visual Inspection, Liquid Penetrant Testing, and Magnetic Particle Testing.

It is a highly visible, specially formulated liquid applied to a non-porous surface. Capillary action draws it into tight, invisible cracks. When the surface is wiped clean and illuminated with a UV light, the dye trapped in the crack glows brightly, revealing the exact location of the flaw.

Magnetic particle testing (MT) is a surface inspection method for ferromagnetic materials (like iron and steel). A magnetic field is applied to the part, and fine iron particles are dusted over it. The particles automatically cluster at any magnetic flux leakages caused by surface cracks, making them visible.

Leak Detection methods pinpoint microscopic holes in pressurized or vacuum systems, ensuring zero environmental contamination or loss of pressure containment.

Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) is utilized immediately after welding. The controlled heating and cooling process relieves extreme residual stresses, preventing the metal from becoming brittle and failing under load later on.

PMI is used when you must verify the exact chemical composition and alloy grade of a component. It ensures the correct, corrosion-resistant steel is installed in critical environments like refineries.

Hardness Testing physically measures a metal's resistance to indentation to prove it has the required mechanical strength to handle operational loads without premature wear.

Drones & Robotics allow inspectors to safely capture high-definition visuals of dangerous areas like flare stacks, bridges, or confined tanks, entirely removing the human risk of climbing or entering.

Infrared & Thermal Testing cameras augment visual inspections by letting operators "see" heat. This instantly identifies dangerous electrical hot spots, mechanical friction, or insulation failures that are completely invisible to the naked eye.

Acoustic Emission Inspection passively "listens" to a structure. When a crack grows under active stress, it releases a microscopic burst of high-frequency sound, which attached sensors detect and map in real-time.

We offer Enriched Iridium-192 for customers requiring smaller focal spot sizes while maintaining similar contrast. This results in exceptional image sharpness for high-precision Radiographic Testing.

Due to its lower energy output, Selenium-75 (Se-75) allows for significantly smaller controlled area footprints on site. This drastically improves safety and inspection efficiency in highly congested work areas where shutting down operations is costly.

For Iridium-192: Exertus (Dual 60, Dual 120, Fortes, ITS), Sentinel 880 Series, INC IR-100, Teletron, and SPEC 2-T.

For Selenium-75: Exertus (Dual 120, Fortes, Circa — ideal for GamCPR, RidSe4P, ITS) and the Sentinel 880 Series (with an appropriate guide tube adapter).

Close Proximity Radiography (CPR) is an advanced technique designed to be performed safely near other workers. GamCPR is our highly-shielded solution utilizing Se-75 for this exact application.

The main advantage of GamCPR is its ability to drastically reduce the radiation exclusion zone (controlled area). This allows 24/7 radiographic operations without needing to shut down the plant, halt nearby construction, or evacuate personnel.

NDT is utilized in heavy industries worldwide. Major sectors include Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Power Generation (nuclear, wind, and fossil fuels), Automotive, Railway, Maritime, and Civil Infrastructure.

Solutions include Radiographic or Advanced Ultrasonic Testing for new welds, long-range Guided Wave testing for corrosion monitoring, and automated crawlers for continuous Thickness Inspection.

Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion.

To find surface welding defects, Liquid Penetrant or Magnetic Particle testing is applied. To find internal volumetric welding defects like porosity or lack of fusion, Radiography and Ultrasonic Testing are the primary methods utilized.

NDT on concrete utilizes Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and specialized low-frequency ultrasonics to locate embedded rebar, map internal voids, and determine concrete thickness without destructive drilling.

NDT on bridges relies heavily on Drones for aerial visual inspections, Magnetic Particle testing for tracking steel joint cracks, and comprehensive Wire Rope Testing for suspension cables.

Aerospace NDT focuses heavily on detecting fatigue cracks. Electromagnetic Testing is widely used on fuselage rivets, while Advanced Ultrasonic Testing is used to check landing gear and composite materials for hidden delamination.

Metallurgical engineering is the study of the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements and their alloys. NDT allows engineers to verify that the metals in the field match metallurgical design standards via Hardness Testing and chemical analysis.

Non-destructive Testing can only be legally performed by certified personnel who have undergone rigorous classroom training, physical vision tests, and have logged hundreds of hours of hands-on field experience.

An NDT inspector is a highly trained and certified technician qualified to utilize highly technical testing equipment to evaluate the structural integrity of industrial components safely.

An NDT inspector sets up equipment, conducts field inspections, ensures safety boundaries are maintained, interprets the resulting data, and writes compliance reports determining if a part is safe to use.

An NDT professional goes beyond basic inspection; they develop complex testing procedures, calibrate advanced systems, train Level I/II technicians, and ensure overall project quality assurance and compliance.

Risks include radiation exposure during radiography, working at extreme heights, confined space entry, and exposure to strong magnetic fields or chemical penetrants. Strict adherence to safety protocols is mandatory.

NDE evolved from basic visual checks and the acoustic ringing of train wheels to the discovery of X-rays, the industrialization of ultrasound during WWII, and today's use of Robotics and real-time Digital Radiography.

NDE is crucial because it is the primary method of preventing catastrophic structural disasters, protecting both human life and the environment from failures in critical infrastructure.

Sustainability is important because by extending the safe lifecycle of existing infrastructure through continuous monitoring, NDE reduces the massive carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and replacing parts unnecessarily.

NDE standards provide the rules for inspections. They vary by region—for example, the USA utilizes ASME and ASNT standards, while Europe heavily relies on EN and ISO standards (like ISO 9712).

Key components include specific personnel qualification requirements, rigorous equipment calibration rules, step-by-step testing procedures, and precise flaw acceptance/rejection limits to ensure uniformity.