PHASED ARRAY ULTRASONIC TESTING

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) & AUT Services

Phased array ultrasonic testing steers and focuses a multi-element probe electronically, producing a real-time cross-sectional image of a weld or wall in a single pass — faster and more sensitive than conventional single-element UT, and without the radiation controls RT requires.

Prime's Level II and Level III technicians run PAUT and fully automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) rigs for pipeline girth weld acceptance, corrosion mapping, and weld inspection on process piping and pressure equipment, delivering encoded, reviewable data files with every scan.

Single-Scan Weld ImagingPAUT & AUT Specialists

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Phased array ultrasonic testing software displaying a cross-sectional weld scan

What we inspect

Certified Level II and Level III technicians, PAUT and AUT deployed where they give the clearest, fastest read.

Pipeline Girth Welds

Mechanized AUT scanning with encoded PAUT and TOFD channels for new-construction girth weld acceptance as an alternative to radiography.

Corrosion Mapping

PAUT-based wall-thickness mapping on piping and vessels to characterize corrosion, erosion, and wall loss over an inspected area.

Process Piping & Vessel Welds

Manual and encoded PAUT on process piping, pressure vessel seams, and nozzle welds where access or geometry limits radiography.

Structural & Fabrication Welds

PAUT weld inspection on structural steel and fabricated components, imaging the full weld volume in a single scan.

Why owners and EPCs choose Prime's PAUT program

Faster than film

Results are available immediately on-screen, with no film development or radiation exclusion zone to clear before the crew moves on.

Detects what film can miss

Cross-sectional imaging is well suited to planar defects like lack-of-fusion that can be harder to characterize on a radiograph.

Certified crews

Level II and Level III technicians holding ASNT and AWS certifications, experienced with encoded PAUT and AUT scanning systems.

Code-qualified procedures

Scanning procedures qualified to the acceptance criteria in your project spec — API 1104, ASME B31, or ASME Section V, as applicable.

Related inspection services

Prime covers the full method and industry range beyond PAUT and AUT.

Pipeline NDT Inspection

Girth weld radiography and phased array UT for pipeline construction and integrity programs.

Refinery & Petrochemical NDT

Turnaround and shutdown inspection for refinery and petrochemical process piping and vessels.

Radiographic Testing Services

Conventional RT, digital radiography (DR), computed radiography (CR), and real-time radiography (RTR).

API 1104 Weld Inspection

Field radiography and AUT for new-construction pipeline weld quality under API 1104.

Data Center NDT Inspection

NDT for hyperscale, colocation, and AI data center mechanical and structural systems.

LNG Plant NDT Inspection

Cryogenic-rated inspection for LNG liquefaction, regasification, and export terminals.

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Frequently asked questions

What is phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT)?

PAUT uses a multi-element ultrasonic probe to steer and focus the sound beam electronically, producing a cross-sectional image of the weld or wall in a single scan — faster and more sensitive than single-element conventional UT.

What's the difference between PAUT and AUT?

PAUT refers to the phased array probe technology itself; AUT (automated ultrasonic testing) refers to a mechanized scanner, often carrying multiple PAUT and TOFD channels, that records and encodes full weld coverage for pipeline girth welds — commonly used in place of radiography on new construction.

Can PAUT replace radiography for weld acceptance?

On many new-construction pipeline projects, yes — AUT/PAUT is an accepted alternative to RT under API 1104 when qualified per the code's AUT provisions. We confirm acceptance criteria against your project specification before mobilizing.

Put certified eyes on your welds

24/7 emergency response · Nationwide coverage, 11 locations · RT, DR, PAUT, AUT, TOFD, UT, MT, PT

Get a Quote Call (281) 944-3840