Linear Accelerator Testing (LINAC)

Accelerate inspections without compromising on quality or support. Our Linear Accelerator Testing (LINAC) delivers end-to-end convenience, speedy radiographic results, and hands-on technical guidance for thick steel castings and smaller components. Partner with Element to ensure you meet demanding schedules, strengthen compliance, and maintain complete confidence in every result.

Linear Accelerator Testing
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What is Linear Accelerator Testing (LINAC) at Element?

Linear Accelerator Testing is a non-destructive testing method that uses high-energy radiation to detect defects in materials. At Element, our 6MeV Linear Accelerator emits powerful X-rays to efficiently inspect thick steel components, revealing flaws such as porosity, inclusions, and cracks that might otherwise remain hidden. Based at the Sheffield Forgemasters site, Element is one of the few companies in the UK to offer this service. While ideally suited to large steel sections, our LINAC also speeds up inspection on smaller, more complex pieces.

Element testing specialist examining precision measurement equipment for materials analysis

What Can Element Offer You For Linear Accelerator Testing ?

Materials We Test

Your critical industrial materials demand thorough inspection regardless of size or complexity. Our LINAC technology effectively examines thick steel castings exceeding 300mm, as well as welds and forgings. This capability makes our service particularly valuable for aerospace, defense, and energy sector applications where structural integrity is paramount to your operations and safety requirements. The Linear Accelerator testing is useful to a range of sectors including the Aerospace, Defense, and Energy markets. It is a form of non-destructive testing used to detect defects in weld quality, castings, and structures, revealing faults such as porosity, inclusions, and cracks.

Key Tests Offered

Your quality assurance process benefits from our comprehensive defect detection capabilities. Our LINAC radiographic testing identifies a full spectrum of potential flaws that could compromise material integrity. This thorough inspection gives you confidence in your products' safety and reliability, allowing you to deliver with certainty to your customers and maintain your reputation for quality. In comparison to traditional Gamma radiography of thick steel sections, the time taken to penetrate particular materials is vastly improved, from hours to minutes. 

  • Internal defect detection revealing porosity, inclusions, and cracks 
  • Weld quality assessment for critical applications 
  • Structural integrity verification for safety-critical components 
  • Comprehensive volumetric inspection for complete material evaluation 
  • Quality control confirmation to meet regulatory requirements 

Methods And Solutions Offered

Your inspection challenges are addressed through our versatile imaging options tailored to your specific requirements. We provide flexibility in output format while maintaining the exceptional quality and detail necessary for proper evaluation of your materials. Our radiographic solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing quality processes. 

  • Traditional film radiography for conventional documentation 
  • Digital radiography for faster results and electronic storage 
  • Computerized technology solutions for advanced analysis 
  • Computed radiography options for enhanced image manipulation 
  • Close proximity radiography when access is limited 

Cutting-Edge Equipment We Use

Your materials deserve state-of-the-art inspection technology. Our 6MeV Linear Accelerator represents the pinnacle of non-destructive testing equipment, generating high-energy X-rays that penetrate even the thickest steel sections with remarkable efficiency. This advanced technology delivers superior results in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods. 

  • 6MeV Linear Accelerator X-ray source for maximum penetration 
  • Advanced digital imaging systems for superior detail resolution 
  • Computerized technology platforms for enhanced data analysis 
  • High-sensitivity detection equipment for subtle defect identification 
  • Specialized radiographic media options to suit your documentation needs 

Which Labs Offer This Service

Element’s Sheffield Forgemasters site is one of the few sites in the UK that offers the Linear Accelerator Testing service. Our strategic facility is designed specifically for handling industrial materials requiring high-energy radiographic inspection.

Standards we test to and materials we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
  • DEF-STAN 02-729
  • T9074-AS-GIB-010-271 REV 1 (NAVSEA)
  • ASME V & BS EN ISO 5579

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Checklist

Improving quality control process efficiency

Your thick steel materials now receive comprehensive inspection in minutes rather than hours, dramatically accelerating your quality control process while maintaining exceptional imaging quality and defect detection capabilities for critical components in aerospace, defense, and energy applications.
Checklist

Ensuring structural integrity of dense steel

Your dense steel components benefit from our high-energy 6MeV X-ray source that penetrates over 300mm of steel, providing crystal-clear imaging that reveals even subtle internal defects such as porosity, inclusions, and cracks that other methods might miss, ensuring structural integrity.
Checklist

Inflexible data formats from providers

Your inspection data is available in whatever format best suits your workflow—from traditional film to the latest digital and computerized technology—giving you ultimate flexibility in how you store, share, and analyze results while maintaining compliance with your industry's documentation requirements.
Checklist

Meeting your industry standards

Your regulatory requirements are fully addressed through our testing capabilities that meet both nationally and internationally recognized standards, including specialized specifications like DEF-STAN 02-729, T9074-AS-GIB-010-271 REV 1 (NAVSEA), and ASME V & BS EN ISO 5579 for complete compliance.

Why Choose Element

Element materials testing engineer operating precision measurement equipment for quality analysis

Rare LINAC radiography expertise

One of the few UK facilities offering industrial Linear Accelerator Testing specifically for thick steel castings and critical components.

Industry-specific radiographic solutions

Tailored radiographic inspection processes designed for aerospace, defense, and energy sector materials with specialized testing requirements.

Thick-section penetration capability

6MeV X-ray source technology that efficiently penetrates over 300mm of steel thickness in minutes rather than hours.

Complete quality verification

Comprehensive defect detection identifying porosity, inclusions, and cracks in your most critical materials and components.

6MeV
X-ray source

for unmatched penetration capability

300mm+
Steel thickness

successfully penetrated

60%
Faster

than traditional radiographic methods
Element non-destructive testing specialist using advanced inspection equipment with laser technology

Frequently asked questions

How does Linear Accelerator Testing compare to traditional methods?

Our 6MeV X-ray source penetrates over 300mm of cumulative wall thickness while providing exceptional image quality for defect detection—traditional gamma-based methods require far more exposure time for comparable results.

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