{0>direction normal to the contacted surface, and is reflected back<}0{>以正常的的方向传输到互相接触的表面,并被反射<0} to the search unit by discontinuity or boundary interfaces which are parallel or near parallel to the contacted surface. These echoes return to the search unit, where they are converted from mechanical to electrical energy and are ampli- fied by a receiver. The amplified echoes (signals) are usually presented in an A-scan display, such that the entire round trip of pulsed energy within the resolution of the system may be indicated along the horizontal base line of the display by vertical deflections corresponding to echo amplitudes from each interface, including those from intervening discontinui- ties. By adjustment of the sweep (range) controls, this display can be expanded or contracted to obtain a designated relation between the displayed signals and the material reflectors from which the signal originates. Thus a scaled distance to a discontinuity and its displayed signal becomes a true relation- ship. By comparison of the displayed discontinuity signal amplitudes to those from a reference standard, both location and estimated discontinuity size may be determined. Discon- tinuities having dimensions exceeding the size of the sound beam can also be estimated by determining the amount of movement of a search unit over the examination surface where a discontinuity signal is maintained. NOTE
1—When determining the sizes of discontinuities by either of these two practices, only the area of the discontinuity which reflects energy to the search unit is determined. 5.3 Types of information that may be obtained from the pulsed-echo straight-beam practice are as follows: 5.3.1 Apparent discontinuity size (Note 2) by comparison of the signal amplitudes from the test piece to the amplitudes obtained from a reference standard. 5.3.2 Depth location of discontinuities by calibrating the horizontal scale of the A-scan display. 5.3.3 Material properties as indicated by the relative sound attenuation or velocity changes of compared items. 5.3.4 The extent of bond and unbond (or fusion and lack of fusion) between two ultrasonic conducting materials if geom- etry and materials permit. NOTE
2—The term “apparent” is emphasized since true size depends on orientation, composition, and geometry of the discontinuity and equip- 6.1 Complete ultrasonic apparatus shall include the follow- 6.1.1
Instrumentation—The ultrasonic instrument shall be capable of generating, receiving, and amplifying high- frequency electrical pulses at such frequencies and energy levels required to perform a meaningful examination and to provide a suitable readout. 6.1.2
Search Units—The ultrasonic search units shall be capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound in the material at the required frequencies and energy levels necessary for
passing both a transmitter and a receiver as separate piezoelec- tric elements can be utilized to provide some degree of improved resolution near the examination surface. 6.1.3
Couplant—A couplant, usually a liquid or semi-liquid, is required between the face of the search unit and the examination surface to permit or improve the transmittance of ultrasound from the search unit into the material under test. Typical couplants include water, cellulose gel, oil, and grease. Corrosion inhibitors or wetting agents or both may be used. Couplants must be selected that are not detrimental to the product or the process. The couplant used in calibration should be used for the examination. During the performance of a contact ultrasonic examination, the couplant layer between search unit and examination material must be maintained such that the contact area is held constant while maintaining adequate couplant thickness. Lack of couplant reducing the effective contact area or excess couplant thickness will reduce the amount of energy transferred between the search unit and the examination piece. These couplant variations in turn result in examination sensitivity variations. 6.1.3.1 The couplant should be selected so that its viscosity is appropriate for the surface finish of the material to be examined. The examination of rough surfaces generally re- quires a high viscosity couplant. The temperature of the material’s surface can change the couplant’s viscosity. As an example, in the case of oil and greases, see Table 1. 6.1.3.2 At elevated temperatures as conditions warrant, heat resistant coupling materials such as silicone oils, gels, or greases should be used. Further, intermittent contact of the search unit with the surface or auxiliary cooling of the search unit may be necessary to avoid temperature changes that affect the ultrasonic wave characteristics of the search unit. At higher temperatures, certain couplants based on inorganic salts or thermoplastic organic materials, high temperature delay mate- rials, and search units that are not damaged by high tempera- 6.1.3.3 Where constant coupling over large areas is needed, as in automated examination, or where severe changes in surface roughness are found, other couplants such as liquid gap coupling will usually provide a better examination. In this case, the search unit does not contact the examination surface but is separated by a distance of about 0.2 in. (0.5 mm) filled with couplant. Liquid flowing through the search unit fills the gap. The flowing liquid provides the coupling path and has the additional advantage of cooling the search unit if the exami- 6.1.3.4 An alternative means of direct contact coupling is TABLE 1 Suggested Viscosities—Oil Couplants NOTE
1—The table is a guide only and is not meant to exclude the use of a particular couplant that is found to work satisfactorily on a particular Approximate Surface Roughness Average
Equivalent Couplant Vis- (Ra), µin. (µm)
cosity, Weight Motor Oil
discontinuity detection. Typical search unit sizes usually range from
1⁄8
in. (3.2 mm) in diameter to 11⁄8
in. (28.6 mm) in diameter with both smaller and larger sizes available for specific applications. Search units may be fitted with special shoes for appropriate applications. Special search units encom-
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