Professional Documents
Culture Documents
• Eddie Pompa
• May 10, 2022
Introduction
To determine if transducer diameter affects the accuracy of flaw length measurements
because of near field more than beam spread, an experiment was performed. The
overall length of the certified calibration notch was measured using transducers of
different diameters with the same refracted angle and frequency for each to determine
if the diameter affected the accuracy of the length measurement.
In measuring the notch length, scanning back and forth across the notch end was
avoided. The aim was to approach the notch in one smooth movement until the signal
dropped 6 dB. The calculated near field and half angle beam spread values for each
diameter transducer are provided in Table 3 and visually illustrated in Figures 2, 3,
and 4 which is the primary contributing factor for the notch length accuracy. The
smaller-diameter probes produced a shorter near field than the larger-diameter probes.
See Tables 1 and 2 for the notch length results and the delta for each.
The 0.25 in. probe was more challenging to manipulate compared to the larger probes
as it slid along the edge of the T-square from time to time, making it harder to capture
the end of the notch. With some practice, control of the probe improved enough to
allow for consistent notch length measurements. An additional observation during this
exercise was the immediate signal drop as the probe reached the end of the notch
resulting from the small beam spot produced. This characteristic required a deliberate
focus on probe movement to capture the end of the notch to avoid overshooting the
notch length and having to scan back and forth across the notch end.
The most accurate and repeatable notch length measurements appear to be on the
thicker block due to the longer sound path, thus removing the near field from
interacting with the inside diameter (ID) or outside diameter (OD) notches.
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Equipment
The instrument used was a standard 5 MHz pulse-echo unit with single-element
transducers (0.250, The instrument used was a standard 5 MHz pulse-echo unit with
single-element transducers (0.250, 0.375, and 0.500 in.). Lucite wedges were used
(0.250, 0.375, and 0.500 in.) with 45° and 60° wedge angles. The calibration block
was a distance and sensitivity calibration (DSC) ASME basic block (0.50 and 0.75
in.) made of aluminum. Gel (for the wedge) and water (for the contact surface) were
used as couplant. A T-square, dial calipers, infrared thermometer, tape, and pencil
completes the list of equipment used.
Procedure
First, the temperature of the part and calibration block were measured to verify they
were within 2 °F of each other prior to performing standardization and measurement.
The DSC and ASME block temperature range over the duration of the exams was 56–
63 °F. To complete the procedure, the following steps were taken:
Another contributing factor toward repeatable notch length measurements was the 60°
wedge angle, which added to the sound travel path distance increase and kept the near
The beam spread illustration in Figure 5 shows the large and uncertain beam spread
along the sound path, which has a 4:1 ratio applied.
All length measurements were made using the 6 dB drop method by approaching the
end in one smooth direction as opposed to extending beyond the notch and coming
back to it.
For each diameter probe, the signal peaked and set to 80% FSH from the ID notch as
the reference point. No adjustments were made when moving to the OD notch
measurement.
The 0.25 in. diameter probe was harder to control as the end of the notch was
approached, perhaps as a result of the damping material catching the T-square and the
small grip area. The signal did drop off more rapidly as the end of the notch
approached.
The effects of beam spread and near field are illustrated in Figure 2 on a 0.75 in. thick
calibration block using a UT software tool.
Conclusion
Beam spread affects the approach to the notch end/length but does not interfere with
the signal quality as does the near field. Beam spread can be visualized as a
concentration of sound over the diameter of the cone at a given distance as seen in the
simulated beam spread illustrations in Figures 2, 3, and 4. The near field contains
various wave intensities that produce nonuniform signal responses, which makes it
difficult to resolve and gauge indications at expected signal amplitudes. Because of
these inconsistent waveforms, the notch length measurements within the near field are
less repeatable than measurements made in the far field. The measurement data from
the experiment revealed no consistent trend based on how the different diameter
transducer affects the accuracy of the flaw length measurement. Therefore, to generate
the most accurate and repeatable results, it is best to make measurements within the
wave form where signal quality is at its best.
References