following basic parameters:

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Type. Most phased array probes are of the angle beam type, designed for
use with either a plastic wedge or a straight plastic shoe (zero- degree
wedge), or delay line. Direct contact and immersion probes are also
available.

Frequency. Most ultrasonic flaw detection is done between 2 MHz and 10

MHz, so most phased array probes fall within that range. Lower and
higher frequency probes are also available. As with conventional
transducers, penetration increases with lower frequency, while
resolution and focal sharpness increase with higher frequency.

Number of elements. Phased array probes most commonly have 16 to 128

elements, with some having as many as 256. A larger number of elements
increases focusing and steering capability, which also increases area
coverage, but both probe and instrumentation costs increase as well. Each
of these elements is individually pulsed to create the wavefront of interest.
Hence the dimension across these
elements is often referred to as the active or steering direction.

Size of elements. As the element width gets smaller, beam steering capability
increases, but large area coverage requires more elements at a higher cost.

The dimensional parameters of a phased array probe are customarily

defined as follows:

(
L

W N

Figure 2-18 Dimensional parameters of a phased array probe

A = total aperture in steering of active direction

H = element height or elevation. Since this dimension is fixed,
it is often referred to as the passive plane.
p = pitch, or center-to-center distance between two successive
elements
e = width of an individual element
g = spacing between active elements

This information is used by instrument software to generate the desired

beam shape. If it is not entered automatically by probe recognition
software, then it must be entered by the user during setup.

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Rev 0 Oct 2011 Page 27of 186