Ultrasonic Testing uses high frequency sound energy to conduct examinations and make measurements. It can be used for flaw detection and evaluation as well as dimensional measurements, materiel characterization and much more.

Advantages

• Is sensitive to both surface and subsurface discontinuities.
• Depth of penetration for flaw detection or measurement is superior to other NDT methods.
• Only single sided access is needed when pulse-echo technique is used.
• Highly accurate in determining reflector position and estimating size and shape.
• Minimal part preparation is required.
• Detailed images can be produced with automated systems.

Disadvantages

• Surface must be accessible to transmit ultrasound.
• Skill and training is more extensive than with some other methods.
• Normally requires coupling medium to promote the transfer of sound energy into test specimen.
• Materials that are rough, irregular in shape, very small, exceptionally thin or not homogeneous are difficult to inspect.
• Cast iron and other coarse grained materials are difficult to inspect due to low sound transmission and high signal noise.
• Linear defects oriented parallel to the sound beam may go undetected.
• Reference standards are required for both equipment calibration and the characterization of flaws.