Ultrasonic Shear Wave Testing, Advanced Defect Sizing

Absolutely the hardest part of ultrasonic shear wave testing using conventional angles is sizing of discontinuities. The sound diverges as it moves away from the transducer, it reflects at interfaces, it loses intensity as it moves through the test part, it acts weird when there are multiple reflectors.

Generally speaking, finding an area to investigate is the easy part. Telling the customer to ‘grind here, this deep’ is the part where your confidence is tested. ND3 builds confidence through competence. The only way to become competent is through good training as a foundation for experience.

We’ve had that uneasy feeling of hearing the grinder and thinking that maybe we were wrong. We’ve pondered whether that borderline discontinuity is a defect, whether we classified the indication correctly and missed something. Draw on that experience so that you don’t have to directly experience it.

Know where the discontinuity is, how big it is, what kind it is, and whether it’s allowed or not. Enroll in our Advanced Defect Sizing course today and gain the confidence you need.

Subjects Covered:

1. Basic Principles of Acoustics
2. Equipment
3. Conventional Sizing Techniques
4. Advanced Sizing Techniques
5. Defect Categorization
6. Codes, Specifications, and Standards