PAKISTAN NUCLEAR SOCIETY

Vol.10,No.4           June-August,2002

Back to Main

PNS Admits 48 New Fellow Members

Pakistan Nuclear Society glorified its ranks by admitting 48 renowed scientists and engineers as its Fellow Members in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of Science and Technology.

Fellowship is the highest academic honour which the Society confers on individuals for their remarkable services. The Society strives to identify, recognize and tap the talent of its members for the fulfillment of its objective of service to nation and humanity.

The award ceremony was held on May 18, 2002 at a local hotel. Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, N.I,H.I,S.I, Patron of the Society and Special Advisor to the President on Strategic Programme gave away the certificates  to the entering Fellow Members.

In his welcome address, PNS President, Dr. Iqbal Hussain Qureshi, S.I. noted with pleasure that the greatest strength of the Society is the cohesion of its membership and the wealth of knowledge possessed by its members.

In the conlcuding address, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad eulogized science as an agent of progress and a unifying force for a global brotherhood.

Secretary, PNS

THE ROLE OF NDT TECHNOLOGY IN THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF PAKISTAN
by
Asghar Ali Khan, Director (NCNDT)

There are two broad categories of test methods namely destructive tests and non- destructive tests.  In destructive tests, the tested component is destroyed or used up. Thus such tests can only be made on limited samples and not on objects actually going into service. Therefore the actual in-service objects remain untested. In non-destructive tests, the tests can be made on materials, components and structures without destroying them. Consequently 100% parts going into service can be tested. Materials contain defects and these defects during the service life of the materials grow and may reach critical sizes cuasing catastrophic failures. Such defects can originate from materials or because of faulty manufacturing processes or during service.

 The most common mode of failure in materials is fracture, usually caused by the cracks reaching the critical size. Some examples of catastrophic failures in industry may be imagined as failures accidents in railways, automobiles, aircrafts, power houses, refineries, ships, pipelines, petrochemical plants, storage vessels, gates and tunnels of dams and lakes, and nuclear power plants. All these can have very severe consequences both in terms of loss of revenues as well as human lives.

Therefore there is a strong need to detect all types of defects in materials before they reach a critical level and take timely remedial measures. Defects need to be determined in terms of their nature, size and location within the materials in order to determine the level of their severity. This can be done using NDT methods and this remains to be their basic objective.

Basic NDT methods includes Visual Testing (VT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Radiographic Testing (RT) and Leak Testing (LT). In addition there are some advanced methods which can be used for finding solution to specific problems. These include Acoustic Emission, Fluoroscopy, Micro-Radiography, Neutron Radiography, Flash Radiography, Thermal & Infrared Testing, Microwave testing, Holography (Optical & Acoustic), Computer Tomography, Strain Sensing, Radiogauging, X-ray Flourescence Analysis.

Use of NDT can improve reliability of machines and systems through improved quality. NDT may therefore be termed as a quality control technology. It can be applied for the inspection of raw materials, half-finished and finished products, as well as for in-service inspection. Some examples of application of NDT technology include pipelines & piping systems, pressure vessels, engines of aricrafts, automobiles, etc, heat exchangers, turbines, boilers, engines, rails & other railway rolling stock, storage vessels, chemical reactors, buildings & bridges and defense equipment.

NDT technology in the world has been mainly promoted through professional NDT societies. At present such NDT societies exist in about 60 countries including Pakistan. Most of the world NDT societies are members of the International Committee for NDT (ICNDT). The ICNDT has a Secretariat in Brescia, Italy and has numerous working groups in operation. The major activity of ICNDT is the organization of the world NDT conference once in 4 years. The last (15th) world conference was held in Rome, Italy in Oct. 2000. The next one (16th) will be held in Montreal, Canada from Aug. 28 to Sep. 01, 2004 and the 17th in Shanghai, China in 2008.

Another organizaiton actively involved in promotion of NDT technology is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based in Vienna, Austria. Some 85 developing member states are currently benefiting from IAEA's programme in NDT. The major focus of its programme is the creation of core groups of personnel in various countries who are able to undertake training and certification of NDT personnel and provide NDT services to industries.

Current trends in NDT development may be reviewed separately for developed countries and developing countries. In the developed countries, we are likely to see  more and more investment for the NDT technology to enable countries to compete in the international market. In fact market share of a country would depend on its investment in quality which in real terms may mean and investment in NDT technology. NDT will become less operator dependent by making greater use of computers and robotics for performing NDT and evaluating the results.

 Newer NDT techniques such as computer tomography, laser interferrometry, holography, acoustic emission etc. will become more popular. Increase use of multiple methods of NDT will be enforced. Further development of microfocus radiography and high frequency ultrasonics will take place to improve sensitivity of flaw detection. Training and certification of NDT personnel will be harmonized  at regional and international levels.

 Studies will be initiated for using NDT for the life assesment studies for industrial and nuclear plants and components. Use of NDT will be made for process control where the test data is fed back to  modify & control the process. Larger multinational companies will play greater role in development of the NDT systems as well as in controlling the NDT business worldwide.

The developing countries are expected to continue to develop the core groups of personnel & trainers in all the basic NDT methods, establishment of national certifying bodies / boards responsible for training and certification of NDT personnel , issuance of national standards fulfilling the minimum requirements of international standards, ISO-9712, on qualification and certification of NDT personnel.

Development of NDT technology in Pakistan has made fairly good progress during the last 30 years. The development has been mainly pioneered by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. It has established a full fledged national centre for NDT (NCNDT) which undertakes training and certification of NDT personnel as well as provision of NDT services to the industry. A Board for training and certification has been created and a standard on the subject issued. This standard is based on the international standard ISO-9712.

Because of these consistent efforts by PAEC, NDT is now practised in all the major industries and industrial organizations. Pakistan Society for Non-destructive testing (PASNT) has been established and it has already been admitted as full voting member of ICNDT. A quaterly NDT newsletter is issued by NCNDT which is circulated to about 600 persons throughout Pakistan.

 A number of private NDT companies exist and take up the major load of NDT work in industry. At present the number of such companies is approximately 15. Thus Pakistan has gained a good level of self sufficiency in the field of NDT technology which is playing an effective role for industrial development of the country. Pakistani industry has to make ful use of NDT as tool for quality assurance and cost control of its products in the emerging competitive world order.

Invitation for Independence Day Celebrations
PNS Family Union

The council of Pakistan Nuclear Society is please to invite its members with families on a get-together being arranged by it in connection with Pakistan Independence Day celebrations on August 13, 2002, at Holiday Inn Islamabad Hotel, Islamabad. The prominent feature of the get-together will be a competition among the children of Nuclear Society members in "Milli Naghma Singing" and declamation contest titled "Liberty is Responsibility" and "Azadi Aik Zimadari" in Urdu. (Both English and Urdu presentations are allowed as a flexibility but are to be taken as parts of the same singular contest.) The rules of the contest are:

Last date for sending the entries is August 09, 2002.

The participation of the members in the event is subjected to registration by August 09, 2002. The Registration Charges are Rs. 150 per adult and Rs. 75 per child(below 12). The speech and Milli Naghma contest will be followed by a Dinner.

In view of the informal nature of the occasion and in interest of austerity, it is requested that members may please accept intimation through the Newsletter as invitation.
                                                                                                                                R.S.V.P
                                                                                                                              S.D. Orfi,
                                                                                                         V.P.PNS:(051-2207262)
                                                                                                                Muhammad Ijaz,
                                                                                              Secretary, PNS:(051-9206384)

PNS Seminar on NDT

Pakistan Nuclear Society as part of its agenda to disseminate information, continues to arrange Seminars and Conferences on the most current and germane topics for the promotion of Science & Technology in the academic and industrial realm.

A Seminar on " The Role of NDT in the Insdustrail Development of Pakistan" was held on July 10, 2002 at PINSTECH Auditorium. Mr Asghar Ali Khan, Director, National Centre for Non-Destructive Testing was the solo speaker.

Dr. Masud Ahmad, H.I,S.I, Member Physical Sciences, PAEC, who graced the occasion as chief guest, lauded  the services of PNS rendered towards promoting the cause of Science & Technology.

PNS Vice President, Mr. S.D. Orfi in his welcome address urged the participants and members of the Society for coming up with new themes for Seminars/Lectures which pertain to their areas of expertise and which hold the potential of being shared.

The wide appeal of the NDT as a topic attracted a very large attendance of scientists & engineers. NDT as a tool for quality and cost control of the product, has paramount importance in the emerging competitive and globally interlinked markets. The summary of the Seminar is reproduced at page NO. 2 & 3 of this newsletter for the benefit of those who could not attend.

Lectures/Technical Talk Solicited

Pakistan Nuclear Society is eager to avail the service of scientists and engineers who are ready to give lecture /technical talk on any topic which may be useful and interesting in terms of its being latest on the scientific scene or may relate to indigenization/improvisation effort. We will appreciate if our members communicate to us their readiness to give such lecture/talk. The Society will provide for the venue and other arrangements for such a seminar. Vice versa, any Centre/Chapter of the PNS can request the PNS Council for providing the services of specialized lectures needed by them.

Tapping the talent of members and its recognition is our foremost duty.

Editorial Board                                   Mailing Address:             Secretary PNS/Director (SI&PR)
Muhammad Ijaz, Secretary, PNS           P.N.S                    OR    P.O.Box # 1114
Ibrar Sheikh, Treasur, PNS                    P.O.Box # 1367              Islamabad
Qamar-ul-Zaman, Member Council         Islamabad                       Phone:9206384
                                                                                                e-mail: sipr@dgcc.org.pk

TOP