Quality and reliability through NDT

A significant development in nuclear NDT over the last decade has been the introduction of "Performance Demonstration", known as "Validation" in the UK and "Inspection Qualification" in mainland Europe. Performance demonstration requirements have driven many recent technological developments in ultrasonic testing including computer modelling of ultrasonic inspections, variable angle electronically scanned ultrasonic probes, automated ultrasonic systems, advanced data collection and computerised flaw recognition. This paper sets out to review the role of performance demonstration amongst the many other measures which are taken with the objective of achieving high quality and reliability of inspection. It is shown that performance demonstration complements technological advances in the quest for quality and reliability in NDT but other measures also require continuing attention.