Normal beam probes are useful for detecting discontinuities with
reflecting plane parallel to the scanning surface. These probes are used on relatively flat and smooth surfaces to introduce longitudinal wave into the test material. The common applications are ; testing of plates, forged and rolled products, castings, thickness and velocity measurements. Frequencies between 0.5 to 6 MHz is normally used in contact testing, because the high frequency crystals are thin and fragile. High frequency contact probes in smaller crystal sizes are available with some additional protection. Standard test frequency is 2 - 2.25 MHz. Crystal size of 6.4, 10, 12.7, 19 and 24 mm are most common. Lower frequencies and larger crystals, are used on long parts and coarse grained materials. High frequencies and smaller crystals, are used on thin or fine grained materials. Smaller, high frequency probes are highly sensitive for short range flaw detection. A single crystal probe has a dead zone [ ringing time of the active element / width of the initial echo on the CRT screen ] and can not detect discontinuities located within this distance. Scanning from the opposite parallel surface overcomes this problem. The main components in the probe are, Active element : The active element [ or the crystal ] is a piezo electric ceramic which converts electrical energy received from the flaw detector’s pulser to mechanical vibrations for generating ultrasound in the test material. It also converts mechanical vibrations to electrical charge for detecting ultrasound reflections. Silver conductive coating on the active faces serve as electrodes. Backing medium : Backing medium is a highly attenuative, high density material, attached to the back of the crystal to control the vibration by absorbing the energy radiated from the back surface. Tungsten powder / Epoxy mixture is often used. The purpose is to eliminate unwanted and prolong vibration of the crystal. This is called damping. Careful consideration of the characteristics [ acoustic impedance ] of this backing material enable the designer to produce either a very wide band, but lower sensitivity or a narrow band, but higher sensitivity probe. High damping reduces dead zone, improves resolution but reduces the overall sensitivity and thickness penetrating power of the probe. Wear plate : The wear plate protects the soft silver coated surface of the crystal from corrosion and wear by friction during contact testing. A permanently attached ceramic disc or a coating of abrasive material on the front face is used as the rubbing face. This offers only limited protection. Replaceable plastic membrane or nylon wear cap is most popular. Delay line attachments are also used to reduce dead zone and improve the ability to measure thin materials and small flaws. Delay line can be contoured to match curved test surfaces to improve sound transmission. Dry coupling and short duration testing at high temperature [ 10 sec scan / 60 sec 0 off, 900 F ] delay line options are available. When using a delay line, there will be multiple back reflections from the end of it. Performance : The probe should produce a 75 % signal indication Crystal Size mm : from the 1.5 mm diameter drilled hole in a standard IIW -V1 block 3 / 5 [ HF ] applications on small contact area. with a reserve gain of 40 dB or more, when used with a standard 6.4 [ HF ] curves, corrosion, de-lamination, thk, tubing flaw detector. [ sensitivity ] [ with delay line applications ] The probe, with a standard flaw detector, should produce clearly 10 mm complex shapes, small parts, flat / round separated 75% height indications from the three distances bars, tubing, thickness, flaw sizing. [ 85, 91, 100 mm ] in the IIW-V1 block. [ resolution ] 19 / 24 mm plate, ingot, slab, billet, axels, rolls, big The probe should have low dead zone and low noise. wheels and gears, large forgings and Probe applications [ in metals ] : castings etc. .5 / 1 MHz cast Iron, brass, mill rolls, copper, stainless steel, Paint brush [ multiple element ] for plate testing. [ 24 dia ] sound scattering materials, long parts. Wheel type probe mounted in liquid filled rubber 2 / 2.5 MHz standard test applications. Tire with adjustment for normal, angular 4 MHz thinner parts, aluminium, thk chk, flaw measurements. and surface wave scanning of large 5 / 10 MHz fine grained materials, inclusions, thin matetrials, bonding parts such as plates, billets etc. thickness measurement. Note : For curved surface, it is recommended to use High frequency probe will completely miss a disoriented reflector a suitably designed contoured acrylic adapter. This because the reflected beam is highly directional. will improve transmission of energy, reduce dead zone. Length of the adapter to be used such that the part’s back reflection appear before the adapter’s back reflection.
K. Chatterjee, 75643 Center for NDT P 00 Rv 02 Self study material.