Understanding Ultrasonic Transducers

How to select a frequency Is element diameter important?

As the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, enabling the detection of small flaws and thickness/location precision. As frequency decreases, the Coverage area is an important factor to consider when choosing the transducer element diameter. Beam spread, or the angle at which the sound beam
wavelength increases, enabling greater penetration into thick and/or attenuating materials. Other factors, such as nearfield length, beam spreading, and diverges after the nearfield, also needs to be considered. It is related to the element diameter, the material sound velocity, and the frequency through the
beam diameter, also affect frequency selection. following formula:
Common pulse-echo contact techniques, such as contact tests of fine-grained steels, generally utilize frequencies of 2.25 MHz to 5.0 MHz. Medium-carbon a = beam spread angle
steel castings are generally tested between 1.0 MHz and 5.0 MHz. High-carbon and high-alloy steels can require lower frequencies in the range of 0.5 MHz 0.514c c = material sound velocity
to 1.0 MHz. Tests on thin plastics and ceramics utilize frequencies of 20 MHz and higher. As a general rule, the wavelength should be equal to or smaller Sin (a/2) = Where:
fD f = frequency
than the minimum size flaw that must be detected.
D = element diameter
c l =wavelength
l= Where: c =material sound velocity
5.0 MHz
f f =frequency
1/4” Diameter Element 1/2” Diameter Element
5,0 MHz 10 MHz
Wavelength to flaw size ratio of 1 : 2 Wavelength to flaw size ratio of 3:1 Wavelength to flaw size ratio of 1 : 2 Wavelength to flaw size ratio of 3:1

α/2 α/2

λ λ λ λ The effect of element diameter on beam shape.

As frequency increases, wavelength decreases, improving the sensitivity to small flaws.

Why does bandwidth matter?

Narrowband Transducers
The bandwidth of a transducer defines its frequency output, which, in turn, affects its performance. SIGNAL WAVEFORM FREQUENCY SPECTRUM

The bandwidth is commonly defined as the span between the minimum and maximum frequencies
1.0
0.8

that occur in the spectrum at –6 dB amplitude from the center frequency. Narrow bandwidth often 0.4 A narrowband transducer has a narrower frequency spectrum and longer
0.8

improves sensitivity, while broad bandwidth improves near-surface resolution. ringdown due to the lightly damped design of the transducer, which makes 0.6
3.85 6.2
(VOLT)

0.0
it more sensitive to reflections from smaller indications. These are used for -6 dB
0.4
Diced Piezo-Electric Material
-0.4
applications such as flaw detection and flaw sizing.
0.2
High

-0.8 0.0
0 5 10
( 0.2 µs / Division ) (MHz)

Narrowband

Broadband Transducers
SIGNAL WAVEFORM FREQUENCY SPECTRUM
1.0
0.8
Sensitivity

Composite
A broadband transducer has a broader frequency spectrum and a shorter
0.8
0.4

ringdown time due to the heavily damped design, which improves near- 0.6
2.25 7.8
(VOLT)

0.0
surface and axial resolution. These transducers are commonly used for 0.4
-6 dB
Epoxy Filled Piezo-Electric Material
-0.4
applications such as thickness gaging, sound velocity measurements, and
time-of-flight diffraction techniques.
0.2

-0.8 0.0
0 5 10
Broadband (0.2 µs/ Division) (MHz)
Low

Composite Transducers
SIGNAL WAVEFORM FREQUENCY SPECTRUM
0
Low Bandwidth High
0.8
2.67 7.0

A composite transducer element is made from a standard element that is

-10
0.4

diced and filled with epoxy, changing its mechanical and electrical properties. -20
mV / Division

Piezo-Composite Element
This results in a transducer that has a combination of broad bandwidth and
dB

0.0
A comparison of transducer performance. -30

-0.4
high sensitivity. Composite elements have a low acoustic impedance, which
-40
results in a more efficient energy transfer to other low impedance materials.
Steps in making a
-0.8 Composites are advantageous for detecting flaws in attenuating materials -50
0 5 10
piezo-composite element.
that require good near-surface resolution, high sensitivity, and high signal-
(0.2 µs / Division) (MHz)

to-noise ratios.

Is wave mode important? What does focusing do? What effect does nearfield have?
A wave mode is defined by the motion of the molecules within a sample. The two most common In the case of a flat-faced transducer, the transducer’s nearfield limit is considered the natural focus The nearfield is the region directly in front of the transducer where the echo amplitude varies
wave modes that are utilized in ultrasonic NDT are longitudinal waves and shear waves. These two of the beam. It is the point where the greatest amount of sound energy per unit area is found and widely due to constructive and destructive interference from the vibrating active element. The end
modes travel at different sound speeds within a material. The shear mode wavelength is typically will produce the maximum echo from a target or reflector. Immersion transducers can be focused of the nearfield is the natural focus of the transducer and is the point where the sound field reaches
close to 1/2 the wavelength of the longitudinal mode at a given frequency. using a lens to increase the concentration of sound energy at the focal point. If the sound energy is an amplitude maximum, after which the sound field
focused to a smaller beam diameter, more of the output energy of the transducer will reflect from a pressure begins a gradual drop to zero. Nearfield length is related to the element diameter,
Longitudinal – In this mode, particles move in the same direction as the wave is traveling.
small indication. Transducers can be focused both spherically and cylindrically. the frequency, and the material sound velocity by the following formula:
Longitudinal waves are used for most thickness gaging and straight beam flaw detection
applications as well as angle beam flaw detection in coarse grained materials, such as cast stainless Beam diameter is related to focal length, material sound velocity, frequency, and element diameter N = nearfield
steel, where shorter wavelengths are unable to penetrate. by the following formula: D2f D = element diameter
Shear – In this mode, particles move perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling. Since the
N= Where:
BD = beam diameter 4c f = frequency
shear wave wavelength is generally about 1/2 the wavelength of the longitudinal wave, smaller c = material sound velocity
1.02 Fc F = focal length
flaws can be located at a given frequency. Shear waves are used to improve detection of small
BD (-6 dB) = Where: c = material sound velocity
reflectors in angle beam flaw detection as well as to determine shear wave velocity components for
fD f = frequency
material characterization.
D = element diameter

Direction of
Particle Motion

Direction of
Wave Propagation

Longitudinal Wave
λ
Farfield
Direction of
Particle Motion

Direction of
Wave Propagation
N Amplitude variations
in the nearfield
Shear Wave
λ Nearfield
Effect of focusing on reflected acoustic energy. Beam shape of cylindrical Beam shape of spherical
Comparison of particle motion in longitudinal and shear wave modes. focus. focus.

Probe Types

Dual Contact Angle Beam Delay Line Immersion

This transducer uses separate transmitting and Intended for direct contact with a test piece, this The removable or integral wedge of an angle beam Utilizing an additional piece of material called a delay Immersion probes are intended for use on a test piece
receiving elements to create a pseudo-focus, which is transducer typically has a hard wear surface optimized transducer introduces sound at an angle into the part. line in between the transducer and test material that is partially or wholly immersed in water. The water
advantageous for inspecting parts with rough backwall for contact with most metals. Applications include The main applications are weld inspection and other separates echoes from excitation pulse recovery acts as a uniform couplant as well as a liquid delay line.
surfaces. Applications include remaining wall thickness straight beam flaw detection, thickness gaging, and flaw detection and crack sizing techniques, including and/or insulates the transducer element from heat. This transducer is optimal for automated scanning,
measurements, corrosion/erosion monitoring, and high velocity measurements. time-of-flight diffraction. Applications include thickness gaging and flaw in-line thickness gaging, and high-speed flaw detection
temperature applications. detection of thin materials, as well as high temperature and can also be focused for improved sensitivity to
applications. small reflectors.

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