Ultrasonic Test (UT) Equipment Key Terms

Learn ultrasonic test (UT) equipment key terms in order to achieve maximum testing results

By Christine Pollock

Since ultrasound testing is gaining popularity due to its environmentally safe, non-destructive testing approach, understanding ultrasonic test (UT) equipment key terms helps you communicate with others in the industry. It also gives you an edge over competitors when you know the most recent terminology.

Your knowledge of ultrasonic test (UT) equipment key terms allows you to communicate with others regarding results or when purchasing equipment. Whether you plan to do your testing through an attenuation or reflection, knowledge of the equipment key terms will benefit you professionally.

Attenuation

Equipment using the attenuation mode sends ultrasound through a surface using a transmitter. Then another separate receiver determines the amount that travels through the medium and reaches another surface.
Try: The United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration addresses ultrasonic testing in great detail and provides information on testing equipment and attenuation.

Reflection

Reflection testing equipment uses a transducer, which performs on the receiving end of post waves and on the sending end when the device reflects the "sound" of the post waves. The results come in signal form with an amplitude that represents the reflection intensity and distance. The distance measures the arrival time for the reflection.
Try: QCI International offers information for ultrasonic testing and the equipment it uses including reflection processes.

Ultrasonic thickness gauges

Ultrasonic thickness gauges measure walls that remain in a component, such as a pipeline or storage tank.
Try: General Electric Company lists several types of ultrasonic thickness gauges available on the market place.

Digitizer

The digitizer is the part of the ultrasonic test equipment that converts echo waveforms and ultrasonic transducer returns into digital information.
Try: National Instruments Corporation offers a tutorial, including charts and graphs, which explain concepts and principles in ultrasonic testing. It explains various parts of ultrasonic testing equipment and explains how to assemble your own ultrasonic test equipment.

Transducer testing

Ultrasonic testing equipment ensures smooth mechanics across all the various parts of the functioning unit. One part of testing is the transducer, which generates high-frequency ultrasonic energy.
Try: The NDT Resource Center offers an explanation of different types of testing including transducer testing and how it works. It offers graphs that provide images of a signal path and also highlights other tests. NDT Systems offers images of ultrasonic transducer testing equipment. It shows several different types and styles.

Portable ultrasonic flaw detectors

The term portable ultrasonic flaw detectors refers to a type of equipment one can carry around to check products for flaws and discontinuities.
Try: Olympus highlights the benefits of using portable ultrasonic flaw detectors. It describes features one might expect to find in this type of equipment, including its ability to locate and size hidden cracks.