If you’re an owner of a small business, the manager of a factory, or simply a medical practitioner, then you must have heard about the importance of using ultrasonic testing. If you’re not familiar with this new technology, ultrasonic nondestructive testing is a new technology that helps with measuring the thickness of internal structures of a test piece by using high-frequency sound waves.
Due to these waves being higher than the audible sound waves, humans won’t be able to hear them. they usually range between 500 kHz to 20 kHz. If you want to know how this technology is used and why it’s important for structural safety, keep on reading this article to find out.
Contents
1. How It Works
As we’ve just mentioned, ultrasonic testing uses sound waves to measure the thickness of internal structures. It is also used to detect defects in different materials or areas of a building. It can also gauge the thickness of pipes under your structure. Ultrasonic testing is used mainly because it is incredibly safe and will produce detailed imaging of how the physical space looks like. The safety aspect of ultrasonic testing is much appreciated by construction workers, who have to deal with the danger of tampering with structures on a daily basis. The results you will get from ultrasonic testing is so highly detailed to the point of being as accurate as an X-ray.
2. Materials We Can Test
Luckily, ultrasonic testing can be applied to a wide variety of materials, such as metals, composites, plastics, and ceramics. There are materials that cannot be used with ultrasonic technology, such as wood and paper. However, there is no special equipment that can do that as well. Because it can be applied to several types of materials, ultrasonic technology is used in various fields, such as biomedical fields in order to create diagnostic imaging or for medical research. There are some health hazards that are often associated with any type of technology that employs high-frequency waves. However, ultrasonic testing doesn’t entail any health hazards like radiography, for example.
3. Different Types of Testing
there are several types of ultrasonic testing, which an operator will choose from depending on the type of issue you’re facing. The ultrasonic testing specialists at Coltraco Ultrasonics explain that in order to know what type of testing you need, engineers will require specific parts to be evaluated first or will ask for a set of test requirements. Depending on the results these engineers have, they will conduct an ultrasonic inspection that either uses electronic transmitters or contact evaluation. No matter what type of testing is conducted, you will be getting clear pictures of cracks or fractures in your structure if there were any, and find a way to fix these fractures to grant your safety.
4. Benefits
Ultrasonic testing will grant you a set of benefits. One benefit is that it is a fast process, so you’ll be getting the information you need in a short amount of time. Another benefit is that you’ll be able to test the materials or components in the infrastructure of your building without dealing any damage to it, which leads to the third benefit: eliminating any costs related to identifying where fractures or damage is in your structure. In addition to that, ultrasonic testing is state-of-the-art technology and is very easy to use when compared to older equipment. It can also be used in small spaces without inflicting damage to your structure
5. Limitations
Despite how versatile this technology can be, there are few limitations to ultrasonic testing. Mainly that it needs a professional operator to handle these tools, set up the test, produce clear images, and interpret the results efficiently. This task can be very challenging if the person you’ve hired isn’t experienced enough. That’s why you’ll need to do a thorough research when hiring an ultrasonic testing service.
6. Ultrasonic Instruments
There are several ultrasonic instruments. The thickness gauge is one of the most commonly used instruments. This instrument is used to create sound pulses in the test piece and measure the exact interval when echoes are received. Because it is programmed to measure the speed of sound, it will be able to effectively calculate the thickness of the test piece. Operators also use the ultrasonic flaw detector, which utilizes sound waves and views how they reflect off flaws, cracks, or fractures.
A lot of businesses are now acknowledging the importance of using ultrasonic testing. It is one of the fastest, safest, and cleanest methods to get the required information on the infrastructure of your building. Because the information it generates is accurate, you can devise the best methods to treat these structural issues to ensure your safety.
