“ULTRASONIC SYSTEM OF DISTANT

DETERMINATION COORDINATES”
ULTRASONIC SYSTEMS
 INTRODUCTION

• This module presents an introduction to the ultrasonic

system of distant determination coordinates.

• Ultrasonic system uses high frequency sound energy to

conduct examinations and make measurements.

• Ultrasonic examinations can be conducted on a wide

variety of material forms including castings, forgings,
welds, and composites.
 ULTRASOUND GENERATION
Ultrasound is generated with a transducer.
A piezoelectric element in
the transducer converts
electrical energy into
mechanical vibrations
(sound), and vice versa.

The transducer is
capable of both
transmitting and
receiving sound
energy.
 PRINCIPLES OF ULTRASONIC
INSPECTION
• Ultrasonic waves are introduced into a material
where they travel in a straight line and at a constant
speed until they encounter a surface.
• At surface interfaces some of the wave energy is
reflected and some is transmitted.
• The amount of reflected or transmitted energy can be
detected and provides information about the size of the
reflector.
• The travel time of the sound can be measured and this
provides information on the distance that the sound has
traveled.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqJN8tyosDw to~0:42

Ultrasonic Inspection
(Pulse-Echo)
In ultrasonic testing, high-frequency
sound waves are transmitted into a
material to detect imperfections or to
locate changes in material properties.
The most commonly used
ultrasonic testing technique is
pulse echo, whereby sound is
introduced into a test object
and reflections (echoes) from
internal imperfections or the
part's geometrical surfaces
are returned to a receiver.  
The time interval between the
transmission and reception of
pulses give clues to the
internal structure of the
material.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlE3eK0g6vU at~6:45-8:00 or to 11:35
Ultrasonic Inspection (Pulse-Echo)
High frequency sound waves are introduced into a material and
they are reflected back from surfaces or flaws.
Reflected sound energy is displayed versus time, and inspector
can visualize a cross section of the specimen showing the depth
of features that reflect sound.
Principle of ultrasonic testing Ultrasonic Probe f
LEFT: A probe sends a sound wave
into a test material. There are two
indications, one from the initial
pulse of the probe, and the second
due to the back wall echo.
RIGHT: A defect creates a third
indication and simultaneously
reduces the amplitude of the back
wall indication. The depth of the
defect is determined by the
ratio D/Ep
Ultrasonic probe is made of piezoelectric Oscilloscope, or flaw detector screen
transducers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM6XKvXWVFA at~1:18-3:08
http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/piezoelectrics/applications.php
 How It Works?
At a construction site, a
technician tests
a pipeline weld for defects using
an ultrasonic instrument. The
scanner, which consists of a
frame with magnetic wheels,
holds the probe in contact with
the pipe by a spring. The wet area
is the ultrasonic couplant
(medium, such as water and oil)
that allows the sound to pass into
the pipe wall. Spline cracking
Non-destructive testing of a swing
shaft showing spline cracking. Backwall
Spline – any of a series of projections on a
shaft that fit into slots on a corresponding
Lower end Upper end
shaft, enabling both to rotate together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM6XKvXWVFA
at~3:08-4:10
 TEST TECHNIQUES - PULSE-ECHO
• In pulse-echo testing, a transducer sends out a pulse of
energy and the same or a second transducer listens for
reflected energy (an echo).
• The amount of reflected sound energy is displayed versus
f
time, which provides the inspector information about the
size and the location of features that reflect the sound.

initial
pulse back surface
echo

crack
echo

0 2 4 6 8 10
TEST TECHNIQUES – NORMAL AND ANGLE
BEAM

• In normal beam testing, the sound

beam is introduced into the test
article at 90 degree to the surface.

• In angle beam testing, the sound

beam is introduced into the test
article at some angle other than 90.
 TEST TECHNIQUES – CONTACT VS
IMMERSION
• In contact testing (shown on the previous slides) a
couplant such as water, oil or a gel is applied between
the transducer and the part.
• With immersion testing, an echo from the front
surface of the part is seen in the signal but otherwise
signal interpretation is the same for the two
techniques.

1 2
IP 1 IP 2 IP = Initial Pulse
FWE FWE FWE = Front Wall
Echo
BWE BWE DE = Defect Echo
DE BWE = Back Wall
Echo

0 2 4 6 8 10 0 2 4 6 8 10
 TRANSDUCERS
• Transducers are manufactured in a variety of forms,
shapes and sizes for varying applications.
• Transducers are categorized in a number of ways which
include:
- Contact or immersion
- Single or dual element
- Normal or angle beam
• In selecting a transducer
for a given application, it
is important to choose the
desired frequency,
bandwidth, size.
 CONTACT TRANSDUCERS
Contact transducers are
designed to withstand
rigorous use, and usually
have a wear plate on the
bottom surface to protect
the piezoelectric element
from contact with the
surface of the test article.
Many incorporate
ergonomic designs for ease
of grip while scanning along
the surface.
 CONTACT TRANSDUCERS
• A way to improve near surface
resolution with a single element
transducer is through the use of a delay
line.
• Delay line transducers have a plastic
piece that is a sound path that provides a
time delay between the sound generation
and reception of reflected energy.
• Interchangeable pieces make it
possible to configure the transducer with
insulating wear caps or flexible
membranes that conform to rough
surfaces.
 DATA PRESENTATION - A-SCAN
• A-scan presentation displays

Signal Amplitude
the amount of received ultrasonic
energy as a function of time.
• Relative discontinuity size can
be estimated by comparing the
signal amplitude to that from a
Time
known reflector.
• Reflector depth can be

Signal Amplitude
determined by the position of the
signal on the horizontal sweep.

Time
 DATA PRESENTATION - B-SCAN
• B-scan presentations display
a profile view (cross-sectional)
of a test specimen.
• Only the reflector depth in
the cross-section and the linear
dimensions can be determined.
• A limitation to this display
technique is that reflectors may
be masked by larger reflectors
near the surface.
 DATA PRESENTATION - C-SCAN

• The C-scan presentation displays a plan type view of

the test specimen and discontinuities.
• C-scan presentations are produced with an automated
data acquisition system, such as in immersion scanning.
• Use of A-scan in conjunction with C-scan is necessary
when depth determination is desired.

Photo of a Composite C-Scan Image of Internal

Component Features
Applications of Ultrasonic Inspection

Ultrasonic inspection is often performed on

steel and other metals and alloys, though it can
also be used on concrete, wood and
composites.

It is used in many industries including steel and

aluminium construction, metallurgy,
manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and
other transportation sectors.
 Limitations of Ultrasonic Inspection

1. Manual operation requires careful attention by

experienced technicians.
2. Extensive technical knowledge is required for the
development of inspection procedures.
3. Parts that are rough, irregular in shape, very small or
thin, or not homogeneous are difficult to inspect.
4. Surface must be prepared by cleaning and removing
loose scale, paint, etc.
5. Couplants are needed to provide effective transfer of
ultrasonic wave energy between transducers and parts
being inspected unless a non-contact technique is used. 
6. Inspected items must be water resistant, when using
water based couplants that do not contain rust inhibitors.