Abstract: The latest generation of Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) technology—originally developed in collaboration with major nuclear power stakeholders—has matured into one of the industry's most advanced non-destructive techniques for assessing wall thickness in ferromagnetic components. With the ability to penetrate insulation, fireproofing, and other protective coatings, PEC enables rapid, large-area screening for corrosion under insulation (CUI), flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), and other degradation mechanisms—without requiring surface preparation.
While PEC was initially adopted for its robustness under high lift-off conditions and in the presence of interfering materials, recent developments have made it practical for low lift-off applications. These are particularly relevant in environments such as nuclear power plants and naval vessels, where corrosion products, complex coatings, or restricted access often challenge conventional inspection methods. In these settings, PEC provides a practical and reliable alternative for assessing critical assets such as water and steam pipes in NPPs, and hulls and deck structures in naval ships.
This presentation will review case studies demonstrating PEC’s effectiveness in detecting and sizing wall thinning caused by corrosion, FAC, erosion, cast iron degradation, and other forms of chemical deterioration in carbon-steel and cast-iron components. We will focus on real-world applications in nuclear facilities and naval ships—areas traditionally inspected using more disruptive and intrusive conventional methods.