mmz 2003

Ultrasonic Testing
Day 3
NDT Training & Certification
mmz 2003
Sound Generation
Hammers (Wheel tapers)
Magnetostrictive
Lasers
Piezo-electric
magnetostrictive
mmz 2003
Piezo-Electric Effect
When exposed to an alternating current a
crystal expands and contracts
Converting electrical energy into mechanical
- + + - - +
mmz 2003
Piezo-Electric Materials
QUARTZ
Resistant to wear
Insoluble in water
Resists ageing
Inefficient converter of
energy
Needs a relatively high
voltage
Very rarely used nowadays
LITHIUM SULPHATE
Efficient receiver
Low electrical
impedance
Operates on low
voltage
Water soluble
Low mechanical
strength
Useable only up to 30C
Used mainly in medical
mmz 2003
Polarized Crystals
Powders heated to
high temperatures
Pressed into shape
Cooled in very
strong electrical
fields
Examples
Barium titanate (Ba Ti O
3
)
Lead metaniobate
(Pb Nb O
6
)
Lead zirconate titanate
(Pb Ti O
3
or Pb Zr O
3
)
Most of the probes for conventional usage use
PZT : Lead Zirconate Titanate
mmz 2003
Probes
mmz 2003
Probes
The most important part of the
probe is the crystal
The crystal are cut to a
particular way and thickness to
give the intended properties
Most of the conventional crystal
are X cut to produce
Compression wave
Z
X
X
X
Y
mmz 2003
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.
mmz 2003
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
mmz 2003
Probe Design
Compression Probe
Normal probe
0
Damping
Transducer
Electrical
connectors
Housing
mmz 2003
Probe Design
Shear Probe
Angle probe

Damping
Transducer
Perspex wedge
Backing
medium
Probe
Shoe
mmz 2003
Probe Design
Twin Crystal
Advantages
Can be focused
Measure thin plate
Near surface
resolution
Disadvantages
Difficult to use on
curved surfaces
Sizing small defects
Signal amplitude /
focal spot length
Transmitter Receiver
Focusing
lens
Separator /
Insulator
mmz 2003
Sound Intensity
Comparing the intensity of 2 signals
1
0
1
0
P
P
I
I

Electrical power proportional to the

square of the voltage produced
2
1
2
0
1
0
) (
) (
V
V
P
P

2
1
2
0
1
0
) (
) (
V
V
I
I

Hence
mmz 2003
Sound Intensity
2
1
2
0
1
0
) (
) (
V
V
I
I

Will lead to large ratios

2
1
2
0
10 ..
1
0
10 ..
) (
) (
V
V
Log
I
I
Log Therefore
dB
V
V
Log
I
I
Log
1
0
10 ..
1
0
10 ..
20
BELS
V
V
Log
I
I
Log
1
0
10 ..
1
0
10 ..
2
mmz 2003
1
0
10 ..
20
H
H
Log dB
2 signals at 20% and 40% FSH.
What is the difference between them in dBs?
2 .. 20
20
40
20
10 10 ..
Log Log dB
3010 . 0 20 dB
dB dB 6
mmz 2003
1
0
10 ..
20
H
H
Log dB
2 signals at 10% and 100% FSH.
What is the difference between them in dBs?
10 .. 20
10
100
20
10 10 ..
Log Log dB
1 20 dB
dB dB 20
mmz 2003
Amplitude ratios in decibels
2 : 1 = 6bB
4 : 1 = 12dB
5 : 1 = 14dB
10 : 1 = 20dB
100 : 1 = 40dB
mmz 2003
Automated Inspections
Pulse Echo
Through Transmission
Transmission with Reflection
Contact scanning
Gap scanning
Immersion testing
mmz 2003
Gap Scanning
Probe held a fixed
distance above the
surface (1 or 2mm)
Couplant is fed into
the gap
mmz 2003
Immersion Testing
Component is placed in a water filled
tank
Item is scanned with a probe at a fixed
distance above the surface
mmz 2003
Immersion Testing
Water
path
distance
Water path distance
Front surface Back surface
Defect