Ultrasonic inspection of complex geometry components for the Sizewell B pre-service inspections

Sizewell B, the first British PWR, is nearing completion and the primary and secondary circuits are undergoing extensive pre-service inspection. OIS is carrying out the insepction of the Incredibility Of Failure (IOF) and Class 1 components. These are nearly all automated inspections and many of the components are austenitic. The NDT Applications Centre of Nuclear Electric has provided its MIPS and GUIDE automated ultrasonic inspection software systems for these inspections. The high quality of inspection required for Sizewell B has required the development of novel manipulators, particularly for the complex geometry components such as the 45° branch nozzle, to enable the necessary ultrasonic coverage to be achieved