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Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic testing uses high frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws in materials. Short ultrasonic pulses are transmitted into a material and reflections are detected to identify flaws. It is commonly used to measure thickness and detect corrosion in steel and other metals. Ultrasonic testing systems generate ultrasound using transducers that convert electrical signals to sound waves. Reflections are detected and analyzed using A-scan, B-scan, and C-scan presentations to evaluate internal structures.

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Ramesh R
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254 views13 pages

Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic testing uses high frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws in materials. Short ultrasonic pulses are transmitted into a material and reflections are detected to identify flaws. It is commonly used to measure thickness and detect corrosion in steel and other metals. Ultrasonic testing systems generate ultrasound using transducers that convert electrical signals to sound waves. Reflections are detected and analyzed using A-scan, B-scan, and C-scan presentations to evaluate internal structures.

Uploaded by

Ramesh R
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ULTRASONIC TESTING -UT

Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a family of non-destructive


testing techniques based on the propagation of ultrasonic waves in
the object or material tested. In most common UT applications, very
short ultrasonic pulse-waves with center frequencies ranging from
0.1-15 MHz, and occasionally up to 50 MHz, are transmitted into
materials to detect internal flaws or to characterize materials. A
common example is ultrasonic thickness measurement, which tests
the thickness of the test object, for example, to monitor pipe
work corrosion.
Ultrasonic testing is often performed on steel and other metals and
alloys, though it can also be used on concrete, wood and composites,
albeit with less resolution. It is used in many industries including
steel and aluminium construction, metallurgy,
manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and other transportation
sectors.
ULTRASONIC SYSTEMS
ULTRASOUND GENERATION
Ultrasound is generated with a transducer.
A piezoelectric element in the
transducer converts electrical
energy into mechanical vibrations
(sound), and vice versa.

The transducer is
capable of both
transmitting and
receiving sound
energy.
PRINCIPLES OF ULTRASONIC
INSPECTION
• Ultrasonic waves are introduced into a material where
they travel in a straight line and at a constant speed
until they encounter a surface.
• At surface interfaces some of the wave energy is
reflected and some is transmitted.
• The amount of reflected or transmitted energy can be
detected and provides information about the size of the
reflector.
• The travel time of the sound can be measured and this
provides information on the distance that the sound has
traveled.
TEST TECHNIQUES - PULSE-ECHO
• In pulse-echo testing, a transducer sends out a pulse of energy and the same or
a second transducer listens for reflected energy (an echo).
• The amount of reflected sound energy is displayed versus time, which provides
the inspector information about the size and the location of features that reflect
the sound.
f

initial
pulse back surface
echo

crack
echo

0 2 4 6 8 10
TEST TECHNIQUES – NORMAL AND ANGLE BEAM

• In normal beam testing, the sound beam is


introduced into the test article at 90 degree to the
surface.

• In angle beam testing, the sound beam is


introduced into the test article at some angle other
than 90.
TEST TECHNIQUES – CONTACT VS IMMERSION

• In contact testing (shown on the previous slides) a


couplant such as water, oil or a gel is applied between
the transducer and the part.
• With immersion testing, an echo from the front
surface of the part is seen in the signal but otherwise
signal interpretation is the same for the two techniques.

1 2
IP 1 IP 2 IP = Initial Pulse
FWE FWE FWE = Front Wall Echo
DE = Defect Echo
BWE BWE BWE = Back Wall Echo
DE

0 2 4 6 8 10 0 2 4 6 8 10
TRANSDUCERS
• Transducers are manufactured in a variety of forms, shapes and sizes for varying
applications.
• Transducers are categorized in a number of ways which include:
- Contact or immersion
- Single or dual element
- Normal or angle beam
• In selecting a transducer
for a given application, it
is important to choose the
desired frequency,
bandwidth, size.
CONTACT TRANSDUCERS
Contact transducers are
designed to withstand
rigorous use, and usually
have a wear plate on the
bottom surface to protect
the piezoelectric element
from contact with the
surface of the test article.
Many incorporate
ergonomic designs for ease
of grip while scanning along
the surface.
CONTACT TRANSDUCERS
• A way to improve near surface
resolution with a single element
transducer is through the use of a
delay line.
• Delay line transducers have a plastic
piece that is a sound path that
provides a time delay between the
sound generation and reception of
reflected energy.
• Interchangeable pieces make it
possible to configure the transducer
with insulating wear caps or flexible
membranes that conform to rough
surfaces.
DATA PRESENTATION - A-SCAN
• A-scan presentation displays

Signal Amplitude
the amount of received
ultrasonic energy as a function
of time.
• Relative discontinuity size
can be estimated by comparing
the signal amplitude to that Time
from a known reflector.
•

Signal Amplitude
Reflector depth can be
determined by the position of
the signal on the horizontal
sweep.

Time
DATA PRESENTATION - B-SCAN

• B-scan presentations display


a profile view (cross-sectional)
of a test specimen.
• Only the reflector depth in
the cross-section and the linear
dimensions can be determined.
• A limitation to this display
technique is that reflectors may
be masked by larger reflectors
near the surface.
DATA PRESENTATION - C-SCAN
• The C-scan presentation displays a plan type view of
the test specimen and discontinuities.
• C-scan presentations are produced with an automated
data acquisition system, such as in immersion scanning.
• Use of A-scan in conjunction with C-scan is necessary
when depth determination is desired.

Photo of a Composite C-Scan Image of Internal


Component Features

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