Iris Advanced Guide

Olympus NDT Canada
505, boul. du Parc-Technologique Tel. : (418) 872-1155

Québec (Québec) G1P 4S9 Fax. : (418) 872-5431
Canada Web site : www.olympusndt.com
ADVANCED GUIDE TO IRIS

UNDERSTANDING PHYSICS AND ADVANCED ANALYSIS
1. INTRODUCTION
This document is a guide dedicated to intermediate or advanced users of the MS 5800 & MultiView tube inspection IRIS system. It
explains the different defect responses that can be observed by an IRIS technician or analyst. Setup and analysis guidelines are
given for every situation.
This document is written for users having at the minimum a basic understanding of Ultrasound NDT technology and the IRIS
system.
2. RAY TRACING AND MAXIMUM SIGNAL AMPLITUDE
This document shows several “ray tracing” schematics. These “ray tracing” are arrows showing the direction of the focalized
ultrasound beam emitted by the IRIS transducer. The arrow itself shows the center of the beam, where the ultrasound waves are the
strongest.
When the returned echo arrow points towards the turbine mirror, the signal is at the maximum possible. This results as a clear
image on the B-scan and C-scan views.
On the other hand, when the inside (or outside) surfaces present an important angle (due to a defect), the ultrasound beam can be
deviated away from the turbine mirror. On drawings, the arrow will point in a direction different than the mirror. This does not mean
NO signal gets to the mirror; ultrasound waves are more like a “front” and there will still be signal reaching the mirror, but with
(much) lower amplitude.
Reflection misses
the turbine mirror
due to the higher
Reflection is angle of the ID
directed towards surface: signal
the turbine loss is likely to
mirror: maximum occur.
signal amplitude is
obtained.
Turbine mirror
(facing the page)
Tube section
Figure 1: Example of internal defects reflecting the ultrasound beam at different angles. When the
reflected angle is more important, the signal amplitude is lower and signal loss is likely to occur.
IRIS-ADVANCED-GUIDE.doc Page 1 / 19
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3. PROBE CENTERING
IRIS turbines should always be kept centered to help uniform detection around the circumference. The probe centering can not be
kept perfect in the real conditions for obvious reasons, but care should be taken to obtain the best centering conditions. Sometimes
the centering device shaft can be bent, or its threads, and should be fixed or replaced.
The drawings below illustrate why the IRIS probes are so sensitive to centering. Basically, signal loss occurs when the ID surface
reflects the ultrasound beam at a high angle, resulting in lower amplitude echoes to reach the turbine mirror.
Reflected echoes are

maximum all around
circumference
Areas in RED offer

B lower sensitivity and
signal loss is likely to
occur
A C
Reflected echoes are

Good sensitivity is achieved directed away from
on left and right sides as the turbine mirror,
the reflected echoes are lowering the sensitivity
directed towards the mirror
D
Figure 2: A perfectly centered turbine (top) has maximum ultrasound amplitude coming from all
directions, while an off-centering condition (bottom) will cause echoes to be directed away from the
turbine mirror at two locations around the circumference, causing signal loss when off-centering is
severe (see next image).
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A: Mirror B: Signal loss

closest to ID due to ID surface
surface being reflecting
UT beam at
higher angle
C: Mirror at
maximum D: Signal loss
distance from due to ID surface
ID surface being reflecting
UT beam at
higher angle
Figure 3: Severe off-centering causes signal attenuation of both ID and OD echoes.

Zones A, B, C and D, refer to the previous drawing.
4. TURBINE SELECTION
The turbine diameter, by itself, has no effect on the signals. However, a bigger diameter turbine also include a bigger diameter
mirror, which results as greater chances of having more echo signal back. Whether the cause for angled echo reflection is a defect,
or just off-centering, the bigger mirror always help to obtain clearer B-scan and C-scan views.
The following example show the effect of probe off-centering has on a smaller mirror turbine versus a bigger size mirror:
Maximum signal
amplitude is easier
caught with a bigger
mirror
Smaller mirror means

lesser signal returned
to the transducer
Figure 4: A 17 mm turbine mirror (left) catches more signal amplitude than the
12 mm turbine (right) when the probe is not properly centered.
How to choose turbine size then? Always use the 17 mm model when possible. The 12 mm should be used only when the biggest
turbine can not be inserted inside the tube.
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5. OD ROUND-BOTTOM PIT
While OD pitting is easily detected with the IRIS method, signal loss is sometimes observed on the edges of the
defects. This is more likely to occur on deeper and sharper pits. This is easier understood when loking at the
“maximum amplitude” UT ray tracing as the turbine revolves inside the tube:
Round-bottomed
OD pit
Maximum ID and
OD echoes
Turbine 45°
mirror, face view
Figure 5: Maximum Ultrasound wave intensity is obtained at the deepest point of the defect (0°).
ID echo
OD echo
Figure 6 : Both the ID and OD echoes are received with very good signal amplitude.
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Total or partial
reflection ID echo
OD echo
Figure 7 : OD echo not reaching the mirror with maximum amplitude. Signal loss could occur.
Figure 8 : Maximum amplitude is resumed when beam is oriented outside the defect area.
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In RED: areas of
lower sensitivity.
Figure 9: OD pitting is sometimes characterized by loss of the OD echo on edges of defect.
Loss of OD signal
on edges of defect
is frequent with
deeper OD pitting
More severe areas are likely to

cause more signal loss on defect
edges, due to the higher surface
angle. The WT C-scan will show
black surrounding around defects.
Clean, defect-free
ID signal
Figure 10: Real OD pitting is easily detected with IRIS.
Analysis:
Signal loss on the edges of the OD pitting is not a problem, as the deeper part of the defect (the most important
part) presents a “flatter” surface that reflects the ultrasound beam with good amplitude.
In fact the presence of signal loss – as on the above C-scan image – can be used in analysis along with the red
color as an indication of deeper flaws.
- The WT (wall thickness) C-scan view is recommended.
- Always measure the deepest part of the defect, and with pits it is likely to be the middle part. Always analyze
B-scan data and use the manual sizing if required.
- Double back wall echo detection is rare unless the pitting is really severe.
Optimization for OD pitting detection:

There is not much to do in order to optimize detection for OD pitting. The “Setup Wizard” in MultiView is already
optimized for this.
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6. ID ROUND-BOTTOM PIT
Actual pitting in Carbon Steel often show a semi-spherical section. The sizing of internal pitting is always more
difficult than of OD defects, for there is likely to have more signal loss from both interface echoes.
ID and OD echoes
Figure 11: An ID pit deepest point is easily measured with IRIS as the
ultrasound beam is oriented perpendicular to both surfaces.
OD echo
OD echo
ID echo
Figure 12: Signal is still very good when the ultrasound beam is directed at very low angle.
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OD echo – longer
time of flight
ID echo
Figure 13: A small rotation of the mirror causes a drastic attenuation of the ID echo.
The OD echo will travel longer time of flight as well.
ID echo, longer time

of flight
Figure 14: The ID echo is composed of a beam containing reflections from several directions. This
example show the ID echo can be detected with a longer time of flight.
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In red: area of lower

or no sensitivity.
Figure 15: ID pitting will cause loss of signal at the edge of the defect.
Figure 16: Internal pitting will appear very similar to OD pitting on the WT C-scan.
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The “ID” C-scan

view
Signal loss due to

the edges of pit
Figure 17: The ID nature of pitting becomes obvious with IRIS, but when looking at the ID C-scan view.
Analysis:
Signal loss on the edges of the ID pitting is not a problem; the deeper part of the defect, as OD pitting, will act as
a reflector to the ultrasound beam.
The signal loss on the edge of the pit appears as a black surrounding around defects in the C-scan view. This can
actually help to locate the pits quicker.
- The ID (internal diameter) C-scan view is highly recommended. Make sure to optimize color palette if needed,
but in most cases the “Setup Wizard” preset is very good.
- The WT C-scan will show most of ID pitting; however the color palette might not always reflect the true depth
of the pitting, as double-back wall detection is frequent (see above image).
- Rely on B-scan view to understand how the pitting should be measured. Manual measurement is common:
Sizing is performed
between the deepest
(middle) portion of
the pit and the
estimated back wall
Estimated back wall
surface (dotted red)
Ignored signal (double

back wall reflection)
Figure 18: Correct measurement of ID pitting relies on understanding of surface profiles.
- As actual pitting show uneven or dirtier surface, this is likely to further attenuate echoes, in particular the OD
echo which might be lost in some cases, or detected with the double of its time of flight as the DAC amplifies
the 2nd reflection. This is explained at the end of the document.
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Optimization for ID pitting detection

First, display the ID C-scan view. Make sure to have a good centering to make analysis easier.
Use higher frequency transducers, such as 20 MHz, and use focal lengths that are close to the ID value.
Higher GAIN 1 parameter will help to obtain more reading from the front wall echo solely. However, this practice
causes inevitably the back wall echo to be “over detected” and “false OD readings” are likely to occur. Optimization
to ID flaws is better obtained with the proper transducer than using higher gain.
Air fin cooler example

Inspecting tubing that has fins on the OD will cause the back wall echoes to be much weaker and sometimes not to
be detected, making the “WT” C-scan not to show clear data and lots of signal loss.
However, internal damage can be detected and measured easily with help of the “ID” C-scan view. Again, the color
palette must be adjusted. A good palette adjustment can be done with this simple rule:
- The “FROM” or Blue color can be adjusted to ID X 0.9
- The “TO” or Red color can be adjusted to ID X 1.1
- Example: The tube is 1.00” OD X 0.109” WT, so the ID is 0.782”.
o “FROM” will be 0.782” X 0.9 = 0.71”
o “TO” will be 0.782” X 1.1 = 0.86”
ID C-scan view
Correct sizing of ID pit
using the manual
measurement
Loss of signal on the

OD because of the
fins
Figure 19: Air fin cooler inspected with IRIS. The ID C-scan is shown
as the fins cause the OD echoes to be weakened.
When sizing internal defects, it is often required to use the “manual” measurement (blue cursor) as per the above
image. The loss of OD signal prevents from using the automatic measurement.
Always measure the “remaining wall” value.
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Severe ID damage
The next image shows a real tube suffering severe internal corrosion. Such condition cause inevitable attenuation
of the echoes, both front wall (ID) and back wall (OD). The OD echo amplitude suffers from two sources of
attenuation: 1) internal surface condition that causes attenuation by absorption and 2) diffraction from edges of
internal defects.
Figure 20: Severe ID damage attenuates echoes, causing loss of back wall signal.
7. ARTIFICIAL DEFECTS AND SIGNAL LOSS
The need to machine artificial defects at the lower cost often results as defects presenting sharp edges that are
rarely found in real damage condition. The sharp edges, or angled surfaces, are the ennemy of IRIS echoes, as
they are directed outside the turbine mirror. The following examples show the Ultrasound “maximum amplitude”
ray tracing for some common calibration defects.
OD “flat mill” defect

This defect is easily machined and represents either wear or corrosion. However, this configuration can cause
signal loss especially for deeper depth defects:
In RED: area of lower

sensitivity to back
wall echo
Edges of the defect

present a higher
reflection angle that
directs the back wall
The middle section is
echo outside the
easily read as both
mirror
front wall (ID) and
back wall (OD)
echoes are reaching
the mirror with the
maximum amplitude.
Figure 21: Signal loss or attenuation on edges of an OD “flat mill” calibration defect
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Loss of OD echo in
the regions in RED on
the previous image
Figure 22: Flat mill defect and signal loss.
Signal loss can normally be improved by increasing GAIN 1 and 2 simultaneously by 2 or 4 dB.
ID flat bottomed hole

This example shows a large diameter flat bottomed hole, being machined by EDM electrode. This defect
configuration, especially with large diameter, is likely to prevent most of the front wall reflection from reaching the
turbine mirror. With this condition, receiving the back wall echo is even harder:
Areas in RED present

too high an angle to
Only the corners and
properly reflect the
the middle section
front wall echo.
will reflect the front
wall echo with good
sensitivity.
Signal loss is
likely to occur
Figure 23: Large diameter ID flat bottom hole (EDM machining)
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Areas in RED on Loss of OD signals on

above image cause the corners of the
loss of front wall defect. The middle
echo. The dotted line section (deepest) can
indicates the normal still be read.
ID defect profile.
Figure 24: Important loss of signal caused by defect geometry
The response to such defect can be improved, but it is important to keep in mind this kind of defect does NOT
represent real pitting condition. In other words, optimizing for such defect is a waste of time as real internal
pitting, due to their rounder shape, are much easier to detect.
Here are example parameters that were changed in order to obtain clearer ID echo, such as on the next image:
- 20 MHz / 1” focal transducer, instead of a 15 MHz, to obtain more resolution at the surface.
- Slightly higher GAIN 1 and 2 parameters
- Note: The GAIN 1 can be drastically increased (> 10 dB) to obtain a full ID reading. However, again, this is no
good setup for the real condition as the OD reading will be “false-triggering” due to high signals amplitude.
The ID reading is
more constant with
higher gains and
higher frequency
transducer.
Figure 25: Same flat bottomed hole, but with optimized setup.
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Drilled holes, OD and ID

Drilled holes, with conventional drill bits, are the worst calibration defects for IRIS as they offer virtually no
reflection surface, and do not represent real defects at all.
Only a few pixels on the middle section of the defect can be measured, as most of the echoes are directed
completely away from the turbine mirror.
Most of the defect

can not be measured
(RED areas) as the
high angle surface
reflect most of the
echoes away from
the mirror.
Figure 26: Drilled holes are the worst calibration defects for IRIS.
As seen on the next image, most of the data is missing from the defect. Only the middle section – and fortunately
the deepest – can be measured.
Drilled holes should be avoided at all times with IRIS. The best pit shape to be used are still round bottomed holes,
especially necessary when they are located on the ID surface.
Most signal missing
Figure 27: A drilled-like internal hole. Only a few pixels in the middle of the defect indicate its depth.
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8. MULTIVIEW DO’S AND DON’T
MultiView already includes all necessary tools for proper ID or OD defect analysis and sizing. Following are some
tips on recommended operations/commands and others that should be avoided.
Setup Wizard:
The “Setup Wizard” does a great job of presetting many parameters in order to have the IRIS “up and running”
with almost no adjustments made, as long as the proper parameters are entered in the Wizard boxes. ALL IRIS
parameters are preset, and that also includes color palettes, gains, blanking, etc., so if modifications are required,
they should be minor.
Main window:
Color palette
Display either the ID or

WT C-scans. Double-
click in C-scan view to
measure a defect.
Ignore green cursors Manual measurement

cursor (blue); it
should be used when
echoes are missing.
Defect on ID side
Defect on
OD side
Automatic % wall
loss reading
(top) and manual
reading (bottom)
Figure 28: The main MultiView window with all useful commands.
UT settings:
The GAIN 1, GAIN 2 and Blanking are the only 3 parameters that should be adjusted. All others are advanced
parameters that can improve signal quality by 10% only, at the best case. For most cases adjusting the advanced
parameters is a waste of time, while having the proper transducer of clearing bubbles should be the priority.
Figure 29: UT settings menu from the “Operation” menu
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ULTRASOUND menu, tab by tab:
Echoes are
synchronized on
the ID signal for
easier setup
Inspection TAB
Adjust material
velocity if WT
reading is not
accurate
Figure 30: The ULTRASOUND menu, INSPECTION tab.
Figure 31: Nothing much to do with the PULSER/RECEIVER tab.

Use of the “Setup Wizard” is rather recommended.
Change Trigger
LEVEL sign only;
NEVER change
the LEVEL value
Figure 32: Only the LEVEL SIGN (+/-) should be changed in order to obtain a smoother WT reading. But
again, use of the “Setup Wizard” is recommended as this is automatically preset.
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Figure 33: The ECHO finder is a TEMPORARY settings dialog
The ECHO FINDER tab is used for setting up the sync pin gate (“target pin”) and “probe delay” parameters, if ever
required.
Refer to the “IRIS SETUP GUIDE” document for more details.
Characteristics of the ECHO FINDER tab:

- Non echo-synchronized view
- Temporary parameters, changes are unsaved upon tab change or exit
- Tool to view all echoes
- Very low refresh rate (about 20 times less than during acquisition)
Figure 34: The OPTIONS tab should be left unchecked at all times, as
these parameters were developed for non-IRIS applications.
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9. DOUBLE BACK-WALL
Deeper OD defects or wall thinning can sometimes cause a strange effect called the “double back wall” reading.
This occurs as the first reflection of the OD surface does not get detected by the system, because it is either too
weak or too early in time (deep defect).
As the sound keeps bouncing between the ID and OD surfaces, there are multiple reflections of the back wall. The
system has a DAC (increasing gain over time) so the multiple reflections (repetitions) often get amplified with more
amplitude than the first reflection. This results as a detection of the double back wall echo, as can be seen on the
A-scan image below:
Detection occurs at
First back wall the second reflection,
reflection is too causing the WT value
weak to be to display as double of
detected the remaining wall
Figure 35: Double back wall detection example as the first reflection is too weak
(low signal amplitude) to be detected.
Double back wall

effect on B-scan.
Measure remaining wall by

selecting half of the
displayed WT. Make sure to
understand the actual
defect profile (dotted line).
Figure 36: The double back wall reflection is detected, as the first reflection was either too weak or too
early (deep defect) to be properly detected. Data interpretation with help of the manual measurement
is necessary to accurately measure defect depth.
This phenomenon, even tough seeming discouraging, does NOT prevent the user from sizing detects. First, the B-
scan has to be analyzed for understanding the OD profile and locate where the double back wall measurement
occurred. As the user must measure the deeper section of the defect, it is likely that the double – or sometimes
even triple – reflections will be present at this location. This is easily overrun by using the manual cursor and
dividing the B-scan thickness in 2 (double reflection) or even in 3 (rare case of triple reflection).

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Olympus NDT Canada

505, boul. du Parc-Technologique Tel. : (418) 872-1155

ADVANCED GUIDE TO IRIS

2. RAY TRACING AND MAXIMUM SIGNAL AMPLITUDE

Reflected echoes are

Areas in RED offer

Reflected echoes are

A: Mirror B: Signal loss

Figure 3: Severe off-centering causes signal attenuation of both ID and OD echoes.

Smaller mirror means

Figure 9: OD pitting is sometimes characterized by loss of the OD echo on edges of defect.

More severe areas are likely to

Figure 10: Real OD pitting is easily detected with IRIS.

Optimization for OD pitting detection:

ID echo, longer time

In red: area of lower

The “ID” C-scan

Signal loss due to

Ignored signal (double

Figure 18: Correct measurement of ID pitting relies on understanding of surface profiles.

Optimization for ID pitting detection

Air fin cooler example

Loss of signal on the

7. ARTIFICIAL DEFECTS AND SIGNAL LOSS

OD “flat mill” defect

In RED: area of lower

Edges of the defect

Figure 22: Flat mill defect and signal loss.

ID flat bottomed hole

Areas in RED present

Figure 23: Large diameter ID flat bottom hole (EDM machining)

Areas in RED on Loss of OD signals on

Figure 24: Important loss of signal caused by defect geometry

Drilled holes, OD and ID

Most of the defect

Most signal missing

8. MULTIVIEW DO’S AND DON’T

Display either the ID or

Ignore green cursors Manual measurement

Figure 29: UT settings menu from the “Operation” menu

ULTRASOUND menu, tab by tab:

Figure 30: The ULTRASOUND menu, INSPECTION tab.

Figure 31: Nothing much to do with the PULSER/RECEIVER tab.

Figure 33: The ECHO finder is a TEMPORARY settings dialog

Characteristics of the ECHO FINDER tab:

Double back wall

Measure remaining wall by

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