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What is an Ultrasonic Inspection?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An ultrasonic inspection is a nondestructive form of inspection which is designed to gather information about the properties of a material through the use of ultrasound. This technique is most commonly used on metals, because they are ideal substances for evaluation with ultrasound, although other materials may be inspected in this way as well. This task can be performed by a company which specializes in ultrasonic inspection, or by a worker who has been trained in how to perform this technique, as may be done on a construction site where workers want to monitor progress.

In an ultrasonic inspection, a transducer is used to bombard the object of interest with ultrasound waves. A couplant such as water or oil is used to facilitate the movement of the ultrasound waves. Then, the waves are read on their return to gather data about the material. The movement of the waves can be used to gather basic information about thickness, and it can also reveal flaws such as cracks and bubbles which may not be visible.

Man with a drill
Man with a drill

One common use for ultrasonic inspection is in welding inspections. Ultrasonic welding inspections are used to test welds without damaging them, to confirm that the welds are sound. If a flaw is revealed, the issue can be addressed. Ultrasonic inspection is also used to inspect pipes and other structures to see if something inside has gone wrong. For example, an ultrasonic inspection of plumbing may reveal extensive corrosion inside the pipes which has weakened their walls.

The nondestructive nature of this materials testing technique is highly beneficial. Often, people want to be able to inspect something to confirm that it is safe, but they do not want to damage it in the process. With ultrasonic inspection, safety concerns can be addressed without compromising the integrity of an object or project. This also means that testing is easier and more likely to be completed, which increases safety.

Ultrasonic inspection equipment is quite varied, running a gamut from handheld units which can be used by welders to quickly inspect an area of interest to large units which require objects to be submerged in a bath of couplant for inspection. Such equipment tends to be costly, and must be maintained properly to ensure that it will work effectively when it is called upon. Maintenance can include periodic recalibration and servicing at the manufacturer's facilities, including tests of known materials which confirm that the unit is working.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

@Iluviaporos - Actually I don't think ultrasonic testing is used for that kind of research. Another form of non destructive testing is probably used.

They do use ultrasonic inspection to look at works of art like paintings on wood panels and stone sculpture and things like that in order to test whether or not it has weak points and what can be done to strengthen them.

It's basically no different than testing any other kind of material, like pipes or rails, and they are looking for defects rather than specific properties for research.

lluviaporos

I imagine this kind of inspection gets used a lot when researchers want to know more about precious works of art, or unique archaeological artifacts.

In those cases, of course you can't just cut the thing open, or even remove layers of it in order to see what it is made from.

I've been visiting a few art galleries recently and one of the things I've found very interesting is that often artists seemed to change their minds partway into the work.

I guess I always thought that that kind of thing was set in stone, but there are places where you can see that the original composition is showing through the top layer of paint.

I don't know if this kind of inspection can reveal that sort of thing, but I'm sure it can reveal other things about art that are just as interesting and provide a window into the way that the great artists of the past created their masterpieces.

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    • Man with a drill
      Man with a drill