(s 17.5 Measuring the sound attenuation (a) 17.5.1. Frequently, with ultrasonic testing, the attenuation in the material plays a subordinated role i.e. it is negli- gibly small (example: testing forgings using 2 MHz longitudinal waves). However it cannot be ignored all the time! Thus a method is described here which, with the help of the DGS diagram, makes possible the determination of the sound attenuation coefficient « which, in most cases, is sufficiently accurate for ultrasonic testing - provided the reflection losses at the probe are negli- gibly small*. If the thickness of the test specimen is equal to at least 3 near field lengths then this applies as a first approximation. * Probes with “hard protective faces” are not suitable due to their reflection losses which cannot be ne- glected. Perpendicular beaming! One generates a backwall echo sequence from a plane-parallel piece of material which is to be tested. The thickness of the piece is “d” (Fig. 30).A good coupling is made and the difference in ampli- tude is measured of the first two echoes using the dB control. The difference is A Vg (Fig. 31). Fig. 31 From the respective diagram one takes that amplitude difference A Ve which must be present, between the echo fromthe distance “d” and the echo fromdistance “2d”, subsequent to the “distance law” for large re- flectors (backwallis) (Fig. 32). A Ve is always 6 dB if “d” is equal to or larger than 3 times the near field length N (d2=3N)). Near field length N: see section 2 and the data sheet for the subject probe. The change in the gain due to the attenuation is cal- culated as follows: A Vs = A Vg — A Ve The attenuation coefficient « is obtained by the follow- ing formula: AVs 2d. a @Y | SS SJ a —. d 2d Fig. 32 Example K: A plane-parallel steel reference block of a thickness d = 300 mm Assignment K1: measuring the attenu- ation using a normal beam probe B4S-N, D-series. The gain setting for the first backwall echo from a distance of 300 mm (2/5 CRT screen height) = 28 dB; the gain setting for the second backwall echo from a 2 x 300 mm distance (2/5 CRT screen height) = 40 dB.poe Assignment K2: Determine the sound attenuation coefficient al! measuring the sound attenuation using a normal beam probe B2 S -N, D-series. The gain setting for the first backwall echo from a distance of 300 mm (2/5 CRT screen height) = 30 dB; the gain setting for the second backwali echo from a distance of 2 X 300 mm (2/5 CRT screen height) = 36 dB. Determine the sound attenuation coefficient a! Solution of assignment K1 (Fig. 33): or resp. A Vg = 40 dB— 28 dB AVg = 12 dB AVe= 6dB AVs=12dB— 6dB AVs= 6dB 64B a= 600 mm ce =0.01 dB/mm a=10 dB/m Solution of assignment K2 (Fig. 34): 48 AVg = 36 dB— 30 dB AVg= 6dB AVe= 6dB AVs= 6dB-— 6dB AVs= OdB a=0 iN)g Remarks on solution K2: The result means that the attenuation cannot be measured using the given method. As rule, as far as practical ultrasonic testing is concerned, that means that the attenuation acan be neglected. — Aan} 68 = 2 3040 Bo 200 309 400 BO Dis tm do be he Fig. 33Fig. 34 17.5.2 Vay x. A, x — u. Aen) 0 203040 BO IDO 300 400 60 tos te te lady Inclined beaming Two angle beam probes are used which have the same refraction angte B (refer to section 7). The angle beam probes are positioned to face oppo- site each other onthe surface ofa plane-parallel piece of the material which is to be tested, switch the Flaw detector to TR operation and use one probe as the transmitter S and the other as the receiver E, one be- hind the other in positions Ey and Eo (Fig. 35). The first through-transmission echo is maximized (receiving probe in position £4!) and set to a certain reference height (e.g. 3/5 CRT screen height; Fig. 36). The dB value of the adjusted gain V1 and the distance 1 are noted (exact range adjustment for puise-echo operation is a pre-requirement). Now the second through-transmission echo is maxi- mized (receiving probe in position Eg) and, by means of the dB gain control, is readjusted to the reference amplitude chosen above (Fig. 37). The dB value of the adjusted gain V2 and the distance s2 are noted. OT ee® The difference is calculated A Vg = V1 - V2 in GB. The difference is calculated A s = s2 - st in mm From the DGS diagram (Fig. 38) one obtains that dif- ference in amplitude between the echo form distance si and the echo from distance s2 which must be pre- sent subsequent to the “distance law” for large re- flectors (curve c = backwall = through-transmission echo). This difference is A Ve. s E, E2 Fig. 35Fig. 37 Fig. 38 One calculates the change in gain which is due to the attenuation as follows: AVs =A Vg— 4 Ve The resulting sound attennuation coefficient is given by: _ AVs o2-As £2.