Ultrasonic Testing

Part 3
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 Sound Generation
Hammers (Wheel tapers)
Magnetostrictive
Lasers
Piezo-electric

magnetostrictive

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 Piezo-Electric Effect
When exposed to an alternating current a
crystal expands and contracts

Converting electrical energy into mechanical

- + + - - +

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 Piezo-Electric Materials
QUARTZ LITHIUM SULPHATE
Resistant to wear Efficient receiver
Insoluble in water Low electrical
Resists ageing impedance
Inefficient converter of Operates on low
energy voltage
Needs a relatively high Water soluble
voltage Low mechanical
Very rarely used nowadays strength
Useable only up to 30C
Used mainly in medical

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 Polarized Crystals

Powders heated to Examples

high temperatures Barium titanate (Ba Ti O3)
Pressed into shape Lead metaniobate
Cooled in very (Pb Nb O6)
strong electrical Lead zirconate titanate
fields (Pb Ti O3 or Pb Zr O3)

Most of the probes for conventional usage use

PZT : Lead Zirconate Titanate

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 Probes

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 Z
Probes
The most important part of the
probe is the crystal
The crystal are cut to a
X
particular way and thickness to
give the intended properties
Most of the conventional crystal
are X cut to produce
Y
Compression wave

X X

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 Probes
The frequency of the probe depends on
the THICKNESS of the crystal
Formula for frequency:
Ff = V / 2t
Where Ff = the Fundamental frequency
V = the velocity in the crystal
t = the thickness of the crystal
Fundamental frequency is the frequency of the material ( crystal )
where at that frequency the material will vibrate.

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 Probes
The Thinner the crystal the Higher the frequency
Which of the followings has the Thinnest crystal ?
1 MHz Compression probe
5 MHz Compression probe
10 MHz Shear probe
25 MHz Shear probe

25 MHz Shear
Probe

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 Probe Design
Compression Probe Electrical
Normal probe
connectors
0

Housing
Damping
Transducer

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 Probe Design
Shear Probe
Angle probe

Backing
medium
Damping
Transducer

Probe
Shoe

Perspex wedge
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 Probe Design
Advantages
Twin Crystal Can be focused
Transmitter Receiver Measure thin plate
Near surface
resolution
Disadvantages
Difficult to use on
curved surfaces
Sizing small defects
Focusing Signal amplitude /
Separator /
lens focal spot length
Insulator
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 Sound Intensity
Comparing the intensity of 2 signals
I 0 P0

I1 P1
Electrical power proportional to the
square of the voltage produced
2 2
P0 (V0 ) I 0 (V0 )
2 Hence 2
P1 (V1 ) I1 (V1 )
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 Sound Intensity
2
I 0 (V0 )
2 Will lead to large ratios
I1 (V1 )
2
I0 (V0 )
Therefore Log..10 Log..10 2
I1 (V1 )
I0 V0
Log..10 2Log..10 BELS
I1 V1
I0 V0
Log..10 20 Log..10 dB
I1 V1
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 2 signals at 20% and 40% FSH.
What is the difference between them in dBs?

H0
dB 20 Log..10
H1
40
dB 20 Log..10 20 Log..102
20

dB 20 0.3010
dB 6dB
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 2 signals at 10% and 100% FSH.
What is the difference between them in dBs?

H0
dB 20 Log..10
H1
100
dB 20 Log..10 20 Log..1010
10

dB 201
dB 20dB
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 Amplitude ratios in decibels
2:1 = 6bB
4:1 = 12dB
5:1 = 14dB
10 : 1 = 20dB
100 : 1 = 40dB

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 Automated Inspections
Pulse Echo
Through Transmission
Transmission with Reflection

Contact scanning
Gap scanning
Immersion testing

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 Gap Scanning
Probe held a fixed
distance above the
surface (1 or 2mm)
Couplant is fed into
the gap

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 Immersion Testing
Component is placed in a water filled
tank
Item is scanned with a probe at a fixed
distance above the surface

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 Immersion Testing

Water
path
distance

Front surface Back surface

Defect

Water path distance

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