Staying on Top of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) with Russell NDE
Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Staying on Top of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) with Russell NDE

Staying on Top of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) with Russell's Bracelet Probe

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is one of the most challenging and costly issues industrial facility owners face across North America. CUI can impact nearly any system component exposed to moisture from precipitation, humidity or fog, causing millions of dollars in damage, repairs, and operational downtime. As such, finding effective, reliable solutions to proactively manage CUI represents significant value to any operation.

For over four decades, Russell NDE Systems has remained a leading supplier and manufacturer of forward-thinking NDT solutions for the industry. Today, our team continually develops and refines award-winning products for safe and efficient inspection of pipe and pressure systems. Our innovative Bracelet Probe is engineered to efficiently detect CUI on pipes, boilers, storage tanks, pressure vessels, and other components. Read on to learn more about the causes of CUI, and how Russell NDE's testing equipment can help you proactively manage your facility's maintenance.

The Causes of CUI

Corrosion under insulation occurs when moisture or condensation gets into or underneath insulation and accumulates on the metallic surface of the component. Because these surfaces are obscured beneath the insulation, it can be impossible to visually detect where moisture is collecting, giving it ample time to oxidize, corrode, and irreparably damage components if left unchecked.

CUI is most commonly found in:

  • Hot, humid environments.
  • Climates prone to sudden weather shifts.
  • Areas with heavy precipitation.
  • Marine environments.
  • Any atmosphere that encourages sweating or contains chlorides or sulfides.

Once corrosion has begun, it can spread rapidly depending on the environment, the source of the moisture, the temperature and the availability of oxygen. Unlike visible cracks or holes, a cursory visual inspection is unlikely to uncover CUI, allowing the corrosion to worsen until component failure. In order to stay on top of corrosion under insulation, operations need dedicated inspection tools to monitor and manage CUI proactively.

Bracelet Probes with Russell NDE

Consistent inspection with accurate tools is the best weapon industrial operations have against CUI. Russell NDE's Bracelet Probe is ideal for safely and efficiently identifying CUI with industry-leading reliability and accuracy.

Our Bracelet Probe (BP) is adaptable to any insulated pipe size starting at 4". Each unit contains precision-calibrated detectors covering a 10" wide path, scanning at a rate of up to 12'/min on both horizontal and vertical pipes. Data from the BP is fed real-time to a computer that displays and records the pipe conditions for rapid analysis. This data can then be exported as 3D colour-maps, strip charts and voltage planes to give operators a clear, precise image of their pipe's condition.

Comprehensive Testing Solutions

In addition to the Bracelet Probe, Russell NDE proudly manufactures and distributes a complete range of NDT instruments suitable for nearly any application, including:

  • RFT Ferroscopes
  • Vertiscan Robots
  • Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges
  • Ultrasonic Flaw Detectors
  • Phased Array Instruments
  • Carburization Detection Probes
  • Radiation Dose Meters
  • Eddy-Current Systems
  • And More!

No matter what your operation needs, Russell NDE has the product inventory and service capability your operation needs to ensure your system can be proactively maintained.

Looking for NDT Instruments?

Contact us today to learn about our complete range of NDT products and services.

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