Half amplitude / 6 dB drop technique :

Half amplitude technique for defining the ends of a discontinuity is

used when it is longer than the crystal size of the probe. This is the
most popular technique for discontinuity length measurement.
After maximizing the discontinuity indication, set this signal to a
convenient height [ ~ 80 % ]. The probe is then moved towards right,
parallel to the discontinuity or the weld seam as appropriate, up to
the position where the signal drops to half the set amplitude. A point
is marked with a marker above the discontinuity location
corresponding to the centerline of the probe crystal. A similar point is
found by moving the probe towards the left. The distance between
these two points is the length of the discontinuity.
The discontinuity length measured by this technique always results
in an over estimation of the actual size. This is because the half
intensity line is located at an angle to the main axis of the beam
[ centerline of the crystal ].
The error will depend on the size and frequency of the probe and
the beam path distance to the discontinuity. The shape at the ends
of the discontinuity will also influence the measurement. Small crystal
probes [ 4 MHz, 8 X 9, 10 mm ] should be preferred for the
measurements.
This measurement error can be minimized by plotting the half
amplitude beam boundary in the horizontal plane using the IOW
beam profile block and using the graph thus obtained for correcting
the length at the applicable flaw depth.
Edge approach technique :
When the discontinuity size is much smaller than the size of the
crystal, half amplitude technique of measurement does not produce
satisfactory result. A different method called edge approach technique
is used.
In this method the edge of the ultrasound
beam is used to find the starting edge of the
discontinuity.
Once the presence of the discontinuity is
confirmed, the scanning starts from a position
where the discontinuity signal is not visible on
the CRT screen.
The probe is now slowly moved towards the
discontinuity up to the position where the
discontinuity indication just begins to appear on
the CRT screen. A point above the discontinuity
location is marked which coincides with the line
passing through the sidewall of the probe,
facing the discontinuity.
A similar point is to be found by scanning the
discontinuity by probe movement from the other
end. The distance between these two points is
the length of the discontinuity.

Compiled by KALYAN PRASAD CHATTERJEE/ K. SHIVAKUMAR – INTERNATIONAL TRAINERS