Services/Conventional NDT (MT, PT, UT, VT)
Conventional NDTMT, PT, UT and VT — the methods that carry the day-to-day inspection work, run by certified technicians.
Four methods do most of the day-to-day inspection work: magnetic particle (MT) and liquid penetrant (PT) for surface and near-surface flaws, ultrasonic testing (UT) for wall thickness and subsurface flaw detection, and visual testing (VT) against the governing code. Prime runs all four, in the field and in the shop.
Our Level II and Level III technicians bring RT, PAUT, AUT, TOFD, MT, and PT to pipeline, plant and facility work — so the conventional methods come from the same crews, the same written practice and the same reporting as the advanced ones, on the same mobilization.
- MT
- PT
- UT
- VT
The four methods
One page, four methods — because on most jobs they are ordered together.
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
Surface and near-surface defect detection on ferromagnetic welds and components — structural steel, pipe racks and supports subject to vibration and thermal cycling, and welded seams on storage tanks.
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)
Surface-breaking defect identification, including on the materials MT cannot be used on: austenitic stainless, 9% nickel cryogenic systems, and other non-ferromagnetic components.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Manual thickness and flaw detection — wall-thickness surveys on operating pipeline systems, valve assemblies and station piping, floor and shell thickness surveys on tanks, and shear-wave inspection of structural and piping welds.
Visual Testing (VT)
Direct visual inspection by certified technicians — weld profile, surface condition and workmanship examined against the governing code, on its own or as the first step before a surface or volumetric method.
Where these methods do the work
Structural steel & pipe supports
MT and PT on structural steel, pipe racks and supports subject to vibration and thermal cycling in process units, and on skids and module steel.
Tanks & pressure vessels
Floor and shell UT thickness surveys, MT, and welded-seam inspection supporting API 653 tank inspection programs; UT and MT on vessel welds, nozzles and internals.
Operating pipelines & stations
UT wall-thickness surveys and MT/PT on operating pipeline systems, valve assemblies and station piping supporting integrity management programs.
Cryogenic & stainless systems
MT, PT and ultrasonic shear-wave inspection on cryogenic piping, 9% nickel steel and austenitic stainless, with the technique and procedure qualified for the material before work starts.
Certified, documented, and on the same report
Certified technicians
Level II technicians certified to our written practice under ASNT SNT-TC-1A / ANSI/ASNT CP-189, with ASNT Level III oversight and AWS CWI support where the specification calls for it.
Inspected to your code
Results interpreted and reported against the governing code in your project specification — API 1104, ASME B31, ASME Section V/VIII, API 570 or API 653 as applicable.
One crew, every method
The same mobilization that brings radiography or encoded ultrasonics brings MT, PT, UT and VT — 24/7 response from our offices in Katy and Lubbock, Texas plus field locations nationwide.
Frequently asked questions
Which conventional NDT methods does Prime run?
Magnetic particle (MT), liquid penetrant (PT), ultrasonic testing (UT) and visual testing (VT) — alongside radiography and advanced ultrasonics, from the same crews.
Are your technicians certified?
Level II technicians are certified to our written practice under ASNT SNT-TC-1A / ANSI/ASNT CP-189, with ASNT Level III oversight and AWS CWI support where the specification calls for it.
Do you do MT and PT on structural steel and pipe supports?
Yes — MT and PT on structural steel, pipe racks and supports subject to vibration and thermal cycling, in process units and on skids and module steel.
Can you run UT wall-thickness surveys on operating pipelines?
Yes. UT wall-thickness surveys, along with MT and PT, on operating pipeline systems, valve assemblies and station piping supporting integrity management programs.
Do you inspect stainless and 9% nickel cryogenic systems?
Yes. PT and ultrasonic methods are used on cryogenic piping, 9% nickel steel and austenitic stainless systems, with the technique and procedure qualified for the material before work starts.
Is visual testing part of what you offer?
Yes — direct visual inspection by certified technicians, examined against the governing code, with AWS Certified Welding Inspector support where the specification calls for it.
Can you combine conventional and advanced methods on one job?
Yes, and it is the normal case: the same mobilization covers MT, PT, UT and VT alongside radiography, phased array or automated ultrasonics, reported together.
How do I get a quote?
Use our contact form or call (281) 944-3840 with the scope, the material and the governing code, and our team will follow up.
Related services
Need MT, PT, UT or VT on your job?
Tell us the scope, the material and the governing code — we will put certified technicians on it.