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Oluschinski: Created page with "{{Language_sel|LANG=ger|ARTIKEL=Ultraschallprüfung}} {{PSM_Infobox}} Ultrasound testing FORCETOC ==History of ultrasound== Flaw detection based on ultrasound is one of the oldest non-destructive testing methods alongside X-ray gross structure analysis. Following the discovery of the piezoelectric effect (1880–1881) by the Curie brothers f..."

2025-12-08T07:35:56Z

Created page with "{{Language_sel|LANG=ger|ARTIKEL=Ultraschallprüfung}} {{PSM_Infobox}} <span style="font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;">Ultrasound testing</span> __FORCETOC__ ==History of ultrasound== Flaw detection based on ultrasound is one of the oldest non-destructive testing methods alongside X-ray gross structure analysis. Following the discovery of the piezoelectric effect (1880–1881) by the Curie brothers f..."

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{{Language_sel|LANG=ger|ARTIKEL=Ultraschallprüfung}}
{{PSM_Infobox}}
<span style="font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;">Ultrasound testing</span>
__FORCETOC__

==History of ultrasound==

Flaw detection based on ultrasound is one of the oldest [[Non-destructive Testing (NDT) | non-destructive testing methods]] alongside X-ray gross structure analysis. Following the discovery of the [[Piezoelectric Force Transducer|piezoelectric effect]] (1880–1881) by the Curie brothers for measuring and generating non-stationary pressures and vibrations, the beginnings of the technical utilisation of ultrasound can be dated to around 1940. It was recognised that ultrasound interacts with the workpiece to be tested and reacts with a change in intensity and transit time. In 1942, the technical foundations were laid for time-of-flight measurement with separate transmitter and receiver sensors in through-transmission mode (Trostzange) and later for pulse-echo technology. In the years 1949–1950, Krautkrämer, Hürth, developed the first analogue ultrasonic testing device for non-destructive fault detection using [[Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Technique | pulse-echo ultrasonic technique]]. In 1973, Karl Deutsch released the first device with a digital display and in 1982 the Echograph with an integrated microprocessor.

Following the development of angle beam sensors (approx. 1952) and [[Ultrasonic Transmitter(S)-Receiver(E) Sensor | transmitter-receiver sensors]] (approx. 1957), welded joints and thin components could be analysed for specific manufacturing or processing-related defects. The development of [[Ultrasonic Immersion Bath Technique | ultrasonic immersion bath technology]] using imaging ultrasound can be dated to around 1970 and squirter technology and [[Air-Ultrasound | air-ultrasound]] to around 1980 [1, 2]. More recent developments in digital testing technology, phased array technology, the TOFD testing and evaluation method (Time of Flight Diffraction Technique) or guided waves prove that the physical limits of ultrasonic testing technology are far from exhausted.

==Ultrasonic testing technology==

Ultrasonic testing is an active acoustic testing method in which ultrasonic waves (longitudinal or transverse waves) are transmitted into a test piece using one or more sensors (sensor field) to detect internal defects (imperfections) or determine geometric dimensions (wall thickness). Using a second sensor (receiver in through-transmission technology) or after switching the transmitter to receive ([[Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Technique|pulse-echo technology]]), the sound waves, which have changed in transit time, frequency and intensity, are received and further processed for display purposes, utilising the inverse piezoelectric effect.

Ultrasonic testing, known in medicine as sonography, is based on the use of ultrasonic waves with a frequency > 20 kHz, whereby technical applications use the frequency range from approx. 100 kHz to 100 MHz. As the sound waves propagate in different media at different ultrasound velocities (see: [[Ultrasonic Runtime Measurement | ultrasonic runtime measurement]]) and are reflected, shadowed, refracted or scattered and weakened at media interfaces with different sound impedance (air, water, metal), these physical effects can be used to detect defects or imperfections (blowholes, inclusions), whereby generally only defects that are greater than half the wavelength (''λ''/2) are recognisable. These methods can be used to determine the type and size of defects based on known target values and the depth of the discontinuity in the test piece can be determined using time-of-flight measurement. However, due to different acoustic impedances at external interfaces, coupling agents (oil, water) are usually required to introduce the ultrasound into the test piece, which minimise the [[Ultrasonic Waves Reflection | reflection]] of the ultrasound at the [[Surface|surface]] [3−6] or improve the [[Transmission Sound Waves|transmission]] of sound waves into the solid.

==Ultrasonic sensors==

Depending on the application and type of wave, different [[Ultrasonic Sensors|ultrasonic sensors]] are used in practice:

* [[Ultrasonic Standard Sensors|Standard sensors]]
* [[Ultrasonic Angle Beam Sensors|Angle sensors]]
* [[Ultrasonic Transmitter(S)-Receiver(E) Sensor | Transmitter (S)-receiver (E) sensors]]
* [[Ultrasonic Composite Sensors|Composite sensors]]
* [[Ultrasonic Shock Wave Sensors|Shock wave sensors]]
* [[Ultrasonic Immersion Bath Sensors|Immersion bath sensors]]
* [[Ultrasonic Phased Array Sensors|Phased array sensors]]

==Imaging visualisation==

The simplest display method in ultrasonic testing is the [[A-Scan Technique|A-scan]], which represents the square of the [[HF-Scan|HF-scan]]. Scanning imaging test methods ([[Ultrasonic Immersion Bath Technique | immersion bath]], phased array technology or air ultrasound) can be used to generate the [[B-Scan Technique|B-]], [[C-Scan Technique|C-]] and [[D-Scan Technique|D-scan]] or the [[F-Scan Technique|F-scan]] with significantly improved informative value through frequency-related evaluation. Special inspection and evaluation techniques such as [[Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique|TOFD]] (time-of-flight diffraction technique) or SAFT (Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique) are also available.

In principle, ultrasonic testing is standardised in ISO 16810 and the terminology used is standardised in DIN EN 1330-4, whereby special standards apply for the various applications on [[Ultrasonic Weld Inspection|welded joints]], forgings or [[Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Measurement | wall thickness measurement]], although mostly only for metallic materials [7, 8]. There are currently no binding standards for ultrasonic testing of [[Plastics | plastics]].

==Qualification of ultrasonic inspectors==

A personnel certification (DPZ certificate), usually from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Research_Foundation German Society for Non-Destructive Testing – DGZfP], is required to carry out ultrasonic testing and is valid for 5 years for a specific testing method [9]. There are 3 qualification levels 1 to 3 (Level) for ultrasonic testing UT, which are also adapted to the various areas of application (e.g. aerospace industry, welding technology or cast part and pipe production).

==See also==

* [[Non-destructive Polymer Testing | Non-destructive polymer testing]]
* [[Acoustic Properties | Acoustic properties]]
* [[Ultrasound – Elastic Parameters | Ultrasound – Elastic parameters]]
* [[Air-Ultrasound | Air-ultrasound]]
* [[Ultrasonic Runtime Measurement | Ultrasound runtime measurement]]

'''References'''

{|
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|[1]
|Husarek, V., Castel, J. G.: [https://www.ndt.net/article/dgzfp01/papers/v03/v03.htm Beitrag zur Geschichte der Ultraschallprüfung in Deutschland und Frankreich]. DGZfP-Jahrestagung „Zerstörungsfreie Werkstoffprüfung“ 2001, Sofranell, Frankreich, Proceedings 75-CD
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|[2]
|Guicking, D.: Erwin Meyer – Ein bedeutender deutscher Akustiker – Biographische Notizen. Universitätsdrucke, Universitätsverlag, Göttingen (2012), ([http://www.guicking.de/dieter/Erwin-Meyer.pdf http://www.guicking.de/dieter/Erwin-Meyer.pdf]) (accessed on 26/05/2025)
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|[3]
|Krautkrämer, J., Krautkrämer H.: Werkstoffprüfung mit Ultraschall. Springer, Berlin (1986), (ISBN 978-3-662-10909-0)
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|[4]
|Deutsch, V., Platte, M., Vogt, M.: Ultraschallprüfung – Grundlagen und industrielle Anwendungen. Springer, Berlin (1997), (ISBN 3-540-62072-9; see [[AMK-Büchersammlung|AMK-Library]] under M 45)
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|[5]
|Matthies, K. u. a.: Dickenmessung mit Ultraschall. DVS-Verlag GmbH, 2nd Edition, Berlin (1998), (ISBN 3-87155-940-7; see [[AMK-Büchersammlung|AMK-Library]] under M 44)
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|[6]
|Schiebold, K.: Zerstörungsfreie Werkstoffprüfung – Ultraschallprüfung. Springer, Berlin (2014), (ISBN 978-3-662-44699-7)
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|[7]
|ISO 16810 (2024-10): Non-destructive Testing – Ultrasonic Testing – General Principles
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|[8]
|DIN EN 1330-4 (2010-05): Non-destructive Testing – Terminology – Part 4: Terms Used in Ultrasonic Testing (withdrawn; replaced by ISO/DIS 5577 (2024-09-Draft)
|-valign="top"
|[9]
|ISO 9712 (2021-12): Non-destructive Testing – Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
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|}

[[Category:Acoustic Test Methods_Ultrasonics]]
[[Category:Velocity]]

Ultrasound Testing - Revision history

Oluschinski at 10:27, 30 March 2026