Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Examination
Based on the use of high-frequency signals (500kHz to 20MHz), high voltage pulses are transformed from electrical energy to ultrasonic waves that travel in the material to be inspected.
Defects in the part under inspection create a discontinuity and provide an echo that comes back to the instrument and indicates an anomaly. Considering the time it takes for the pulse and the echo to travel, as well as the amplitude of the echo, the location and the size of the defect, can be precisely evaluated.
Ultrasonic inspection is one of the best NDT technique for both volumetric and surface flaw detection and evaluation. It is also popular to provide dimensional measurements, material characterization, and more. Some advanced Phased Array and Total Focusing Method ultrasonic NDT techniques can even be compared to an echography, a solution broadly used in the medical realm. There, reflections of the high-frequency sound waves are used to construct an image of a body organ. In NDT, the reflections of similar sound waves are used to construct an image of a pressure vessel weld porosity, a train shaft crack, an aircraft composite panel delamination, and many other industrial applications.