Nondestructive Testing
Report Highlights
- The total U.S. market for nondestructive testing (NDT) technologies is valued at nearly $2.5 billion in 2010. This market is forecast at more than $2.3 billion in 2015, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.9% between 2010 and 2015.
- Nondestructive testing techniques play a crucial role in the manufacturing sector. Preliminary data for 2010 indicate that the U.S. manufacturing sector is recovering. BCC estimates the 2010 market for manufacturing NDT equipment at about $422 million, or 2% more than in 2009. By 2015, the market will exceed $590 million, a 6.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2010.
- The U.S. aerospace industry purchased about $269 million worth of NDT equipment and supplies in 2009, a figure that is projected to decline to $265 million in 2010. By 2015, this sector is expected to be worth nearly $316 million, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%.
INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
This BCC Research report will provide an overview of current technology developments and an assessment of the U.S. nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment market. The goals of this report are to:
- Provide an overview of NDT technologies.
- Identify companies actively engaged in the development and manufacture of NDT equipment.
- Assess new developments by analyzing recent patents granted for NDT-related technologies.
- Identify technological and business issues that will impact the NDT industry.
- Provide an understanding of the market and technology so decision-makers will be able to evaluate and consider opportunities within this market.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
This report is an update of an earlier BCC report published in late 2006. Since the previous edition was published, nondestructive testing has continued to play a leading role in a number of key industries. Core NDT technologies are evolving in important ways and are becoming increasingly user-friendly. Applications for NDT also are expanding rapidly.
New industries that only recently have begun to use NDT techniques are becoming significant consumers of this technology. The potential market for nondestructive testing equipment continues to expand with emphasis on product quality, lean manufacturing, just-in-time inventory practices, advances in nanomaterials, and related manufacturing, and testing.
For all of the above reasons, BCC decided that an update would be timely. This revised report identifies recent industry movements and trends, and describes the present state of the NDT industry and the direction in which it is headed.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This study provides an understanding of NDT technology and its products and markets. As such, BCC Research wrote this report for the following reader categories:
- NDT equipment manufacturers and users
- Research and development firms
- Government and private laboratories
- Investment and financial executives
- Others interested in this technology
SCOPE AND FORMAT
This report focuses on the U.S. market for nondestructive testing equipment and on the eight techniques widely accepted as the main nondestructive testing methods:
- Acoustic emission
- Eddy current
- Infrared and thermal testing
- Liquid penetrant
- Magnetic particle
- Radiography
- Ultrasonic
- Visual/optical testing
The report also discusses several other less widely used NDT technologies, such as leak testing and microwave testing, on an application-specific basis.
This study is an analytical business tool whose purpose is to examine nondestructive testing technology, its products, and applications in key markets. It provides an overview of NDT, its developmental history, profiles of market leaders and their new products, and consolidation trends within the industry.
This is a look at key NDT technologies, including their individual histories and applications. Sales forecasts for each major NDT technology are provided by market segment. The report then discusses key NDT end-user markets and forecasts sales by the technologies used within each market. Abstracts of recent patents are included in Appendix A.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
BCC Research obtained the information presented in this report from interviews with manufacturers, universities, and government laboratories, as well as from reviews of secondary sources such as company literature, conference proceedings, and related government data. Almost 300 companies in the U.S. were contacted for input.
The cooperation of private companies was limited but sufficient to develop confident projections of trends, directions, and sophistication of the NDT market. BCC Research based its data projections on a variety of factors, including technology developments and industry issues among other conditions. These are discussed where appropriate. All dollar projections are in 2009 constant dollars.
ANALYSTS CREDENTIALS
This report is based on an earlier report prepared by Balaji (Bal) V. Patil. Dr. Patil received his Bachelor of Technology degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, and an M.S. in Mineral Engineering and a Ph.D. in Chemical Metallurgy from Columbia University. He later joined Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp. where he worked in the company’s R&D Center and received five corporate technical awards.
The analyst responsible for updating the report is Andrew McWilliams, a partner in the Boston-based international technology and marketing consulting firm 43rd Parallel LLC. Mr. McWilliams is the author of numerous BCC Research studies, including a number related to NDT such as IAS015A: Materials Characterization Instruments and IAS017C: Microscopy: The Global Market.
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DISCLAIMER
The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice; nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual, or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or its use.
Report Highlights
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The U.S. nondestructive testing equipment market was worth some $2.2 billion in 2005, including baggage and cargo inspection systems that use NDT technologies. This market is projected to expand at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 5.1% between 2006 and 2011, growing from $2.3 billion in 2006 to nearly $3.1 billion in 2011.
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Transportation security is by far the largest and one of the fastest-growing, markets for NDT equipment and supplies. Other major markets, in order of size, include manufacturing (particularly electronics), power generation, and chemicals/petrochemicals.
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The NDT techniques expected to experience the fastest growth over the next 5 years are x-ray radiography, visual/optical/photonic inspection and infrared/thermal imaging.
Report Highlights
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The U.S. nondestructive testing equipment market currently stands at $1,380 million and is projected to grow at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 5.1% reaching $1,769 million by 2008.
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The NDT techniques expected to experience the fastest growth over the next 5 years are x-ray radiography and infrared and thermal imaging, driven by homeland security issues.
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Transportation security currently makes up 32% of the market and is also the fastest growing application, with an AAGR of 7.1%.
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Film-based radiographic testing, liquid penetrant, and magnetic particle testing are expected to continue their long-term decline, as they do not easily lend themselves to automation or computerization.