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CHAPTER FOUR
PRINCIPALS OF ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT
4.1 Time versus thickness relationship
Ultrasonic thickness measurements depend on measuring the length of time it takes
for sound to travel through the material being tested. The ratio of the thickness
versus the time is known as the sound velocity. In order to make accurate
measurements, a sound velocity must be determined and entered into the
instrument.
The accuracy of a thickness measurement therefore depends on having a consistent
sound velocity. Some materials are not as consistent as others and accuracy will be
marginal. For example, some cast materials are very granular and porous and as a
result have inconsistent sound velocities.
While there are many different ultrasonic techniques to measure thickness, which will
be discussed below, all of them rely on using the sound velocity to convert from time
to thickness.
4.2 Suitability of materials
Ultrasonic thickness measurements rely on passing a sound wave through the
material being measured. Not all materials are good at transmitting sound.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement is practical in a wide variety of materials including
metals, plastics, and glass. Materials that are difficult include some cast materials,
concrete, wood, fiberglass, and some rubber.
4.3 Range of measurement and accuracy
The overall measurement capabilities, based on the wide variety of materials, is
determined by the consistency of the material being measured
The range of thickness that can be measured ultrasonically depends on the material
as well as the technique being used and the type of transducer. Thickness
measurements can be made from a minimum of 0.010 inch to 9.999” in steel.
However, the maximum attainable thickness is much less for more attenuative
materials (materials that absorb sound).
Accuracy, is determined by how consistent the sound velocity is through the sound
path being measured and, is a function of the overall thickness of the material. For
example, the velocity in steel is typically within 0.5% while the velocity in cast iron
can vary by 4%.
4.4 Couplant
All ultrasonic applications require some medium to couple the sound from the
transducer to the test piece. Typically a high viscosity liquid is used as the medium.
The sound frequencies used in ultrasonic thickness measurement do not travel
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