Lesson 1, Introduction to Ultrasonic Testing-Level 1 INTRCDUCTION and ULTRASONIC GENERAL TESTING OVERVIEW ‘NDT, NDI, NDE, Which one is i? What do we mean? ‘NDI methods in the hands of a trained and experienced technician are capable of detecting flaws or fects with a high degree of accuracy and reliably tis important that perscnnel are fully Anowiedgeable ofthe capabities of each method tut tis equally important thy recognize the limitations of the methods. Rarely should an NDI method ever be considered conclusive. Otten tut not «always, a defect indication detected by one mettiod must be confimed by anather method to be Considered reliable. The equipment is highly sensitive so the limits for acceptance and rejection are as ‘much a part ofan inspection as the method isell As an example, ultrasonic itspection criteria must be designed 10 everiook these “normal” indications andi to oiscrminate in favor ofthe discontinuities that will affect he service ofthe component. Definition of NOT “The use of noninvasive techniques to determine the irtegrity of a material, Component or structure or quantitatively measure some characteristic of an object” The purpose ofthis training isto provide the fundamental knowiedge of the ulrasonie testing method. ‘We wil eso look at how itis used by quality assurance and test personnel to enable them to: ascertain that the proper test technique, or combination of techniques, is used to ensure the qualty ofthe finished Product interpret. evaluate and make a sound decision as to the results ofthe ‘est; and recognize those areas exribiting doubtil test results that roquie ether retesting or assistance in interpretation and testing. Utrasonic is the name given tothe study and application of sound waves having frequencies higher than those that the human ear can heat. ‘Tho traditional definition has held that ultrasound begins at 20 000 cycles per second (20 kHz) The frequencies used for testing of materials are significantly higher. Utrasonic testing frequencies usd in industry commonly range from 500000 cycles per second (69 kHz) to 50 000 000 eycies per second (50 MHz). You will se lator in this text that arplications have recently been developed that use frequencies inthe range of 400 KHz for testing laminated materials. Utrasound begins at 20 000 cycles per second (20 kH2). But our traditional concept of the upper limit has drastically expanded due to exciting davelopments of new materials and instrumentation, Ultrasonic evel 1, revision 12/2012 AMANAARARAAARARARAAAARMAADOADADARADTEORAAEOAPPCSSCSSOFSSSSSESSESESSESESESSSSVEUE ULTRASONICS Definition per ASTI 1316, LUtrasonio—pertining to mechanical vibrations having a requeney grestr then proximately 20 000 H2, ultra Noun: An extremist, ‘Adverbs: Very; extremely: “the play was not just borin, it was ultra boring”. ‘Synonyms: extemist, _a prefix oceurting eriginally in loanword from Latin, with the basic meaning “onthe far side of, beyond.” In relation tothe base to which itis prefixed, ula, has the senses “located beyond, onthe fa side of" ( ‘ultramontane; utravialet ), “carrying tothe furthest degree possible, on the fringe of (ulralett tultramodern }, “extremely” (ulaight ); nouns to which itis added denote, in general, objects, properties, phenomena, etc, that surpass customary norms, or instruments designed to produce or deal with such things (ultramicrascope; ulrsound; ultrastructure}. Origin Latin ula (adv and propesition onthe far side (ef), beyond, derivative of ull (e) ecated beyond. Sonic somie (sink! Adjective Relating oor using sound waves. Denoting or having a speed equal to thet of sound. Synonyms phonic - acoustic — audio some [som] Adjective 1. Of or pertaining to sound. 2, Noting or pertaining toa speed equal o that of sound in ara the same height above sea level Origin: 1920-25: < Latin son (us) sound + ~ic Uttrasonic Love 1, revision 12/2012HISTORY OF ULTRASONIC TESTING Both ofthese instruments (above) were the first American ultrasonic flaw detectors. On the lefts a ‘Sperry Retlectoscope and on the right the Automation Instruments 424. Just imagine hauling one of these "Portable" Flaw Detectors aroundll. Yes, these were used both inthe lab and taken on jobsites ‘everywhere! f Rp For centuries, objects were tested by hitting them with a mallet and listening for atonal quality difference, The natural resonance of an object gave evidence that the struck object was free from impertoctione. Every sold object, whether its a ploce of pottery, @ cast bell or forged sword, has a natural (or resonant) frequency when given a sharp tap. The presence of a discontinuity (such as avoid or crack) will cause the tone (or resonance) ofthe object to difr trom that of an untlawed object. ‘Around 1900, railroad workers tested objects using a combination of penetrant and resonance, The idea ‘was to apply kerosene tothe object and then cover itwith a coat of whiting. Then the object was struck. with a mallet. n areas where the whiting became wet due to kerosene being drawn from cracks, the ‘objact was designated for repair or the sorap heap. ‘Lord Rayleigh was the frst to describe fundamental principles of sound in his treatise “The Theory of ‘Sound! published in 1870. In 1880, Piere and Jacques Curie wore the first to demonstrate the piezoelectric effect, and in 1881 a scientist named Gabriel Lippman extended their discoveries. The {generation and detection of sound wave frequencies required for discontinuity detection as we know it foday was made possible by the works of the Cure brothers and Lippman. The sinking of tho Titanic had a significant impact in that scientists worldwide began to focus on the use of sound for the discovery of icabergs and, in the effort, discovered additional characteristics and uses {or sound waves, including hydrographic mapping, submarine location and tracking, and even fish finding Ultrasonic Level, revision 12/2012