Introduction To Ultrasonic Testing
Introduction To Ultrasonic Testing
Ultrasonic testing uses high frequency sound energy to conduct examinations and make
measurements.
Ultrasonic examinations can be conducted on a wide variety of material forms including castings,
forgings, welds, and composites.
A considerable amount of information about the part being examined can be collected, such as
the presence of discontinuities, part or coating thickness; and acoustical properties can often be
correlated to certain properties of the material.
Sound waves travel through materials by vibrating the particles that make up the material.
The pitch of the sound is determined by the frequency of the wave (vibrations or cycles completed
in a certain period of time).
Ultrasound is sound with a pitch too high to be detected by the human ear.
Ultrasonic waves are very similar to light waves in that they can be reflected, refracted, and
focused.
Reflection and refraction occurs when sound waves interact with interfaces of differing acoustic
properties.
In solid materials, the vibrational energy can be split into different wave modes when the wave
encounters an interface at an angle other than 90 degrees.
Ultrasonic reflections from the presence of discontinuities or geometric features enables detection
and location.
The velocity of sound in a given material is constant and can only be altered by a change in the
mode of energy.
Ultrasound Generation
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
Ultrasonic testing is a very versatile inspection method, and inspections can be accomplished in a
number of different ways.
Ultrasonic inspection techniques are commonly divided into three primary classifications.
o
Inspection Applications
Some of the applications for which ultrasonic testing may be employed include:
Equipment
In general, there are three basic components that comprise an ultrasonic test system:
Instrumentation
Transducers
Calibration Standards
High accuracy in determining reflector position and estimating size and shape.