Why use ultrasonics for nondestructive material testing?

At the beginning of the fifties the technician only knew radiography (x-ray or radioactive isotopes) as a method for detection of internal flaws in addition to the methods for nondestructive testing of material surfaces, e.g. the dye penetrant and magnetic particle method. After the Second World War the ultrasonic method, as described by Sokolov in 1935 and applied by Firestone in 1940, was further developed so that very soon instruments were available for ultrasonic testing of materials. The ultrasonic principle is based on the fact that solid materials are good conductors of sound waves. Whereby the waves are not only reflected at the interfaces but also by internal flaws (material separations, inclusions etc.). The interaction effect of sound waves with the material is stronger the smaller the wave length, this means the higher the frequency of the wave.

λ=c/f

• c = Sound velocity [km/s]
• f = Frequency [MHz]
• λ = Wave lenght [mm]

This means that ultrasonic waves must be used in a frequency range between about 0.5 MHz and 25 MHz and that the resulting wave length is in mm. With lower frequencies, the interaction effect of the waves with internal flaws would be so small that detection becomes questionable. Both test methods, radiography and ultrasonic testing, are the most frequently used methods of testing different test pieces for internal flaws, partly covering the application range and partly extending it. This means that today many volume tests are possible with the more economical and non-risk ultrasonic test method, on the other hand special test problems are solved, the same as before, using radiography. In cases where the highest safety requirements are demanded (e.g. nuclear power plants, aerospace industry) both methods are used.

Ultrasonic testing tasks
Is there a primary classification of tasks assigned to the ultrasonic operator? If we limit ourselves to testing objects for possible material flaws then the classification is as follows:

• Detection of reflectors
• Location of reflectors
• Evaluation of reflectors
• Diagnosis of reflectors (reflector type, orientation, etc.)

Instead of using the word "reflector", the ultrasonic operator very often uses the term "discontinuity". This is defined as being an "irregularity in the test object which is suspected as being a flaw". In reality, only after location, evaluation and diagnosis has been made, can it be determined whether or not there is a flaw which effects the purpose of the test object. The term "discontinuity" is therefore always used as long as it is not certain whether it concerns a flaw which means a non-permissible irregularity.