A system and method for high-speed radiographic inspection of fluid transport vessels in which a radiation source and a radiation detector are positioned on opposite sides of the outside surface of the vessel. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Preferably the SIT is used to install a suite of applications having multiple components and sub-components. A pinned layer is deposited on the AFM layer, a nonmagnetic spacer is provided on the pinned layer, and a read sensor fabricated above the nonmagnetic spacer. Most preferably, the wear resistant insert is a ceramic material.