Ultrasonic Testing
High-frequency sound used to detect internal flaws and measure remaining wall thickness in structural members and welds.
Ultrasonic testing sends high-frequency sound into a component and interprets the returning echoes to reveal internal flaws and measure thickness. It is the method of choice where defects lie below the surface, beyond the reach of magnetic particle or penetrant techniques. On EWPs and cranes, our engineers use ultrasonics to interrogate the body of critical welds and to quantify wall loss in booms, chassis members and lifting structure.
How ultrasonic testing works
A probe introduces a pulse of ultrasound into the material. Discontinuities such as cracks, lack of fusion or inclusions reflect the sound back, and the depth and size of the flaw are inferred from the timing and amplitude of the echo. The same principle, used differently, gives a precise measurement of remaining wall thickness.
Because the method sees into the volume of the material, it detects flaws that surface methods cannot, which makes it indispensable for full-penetration welds and thick sections.
- Detection of internal cracks, lack of fusion and inclusions
- Precise wall-thickness and wall-loss measurement
- Volumetric assessment of full-penetration welds
- Interpretation against stated acceptance criteria
Where we apply it
Ultrasonics is a standard part of the major inspection for boom and chassis welds, and it is central to corrosion assessment where wall loss cannot be measured any other way. In failure investigations it maps the depth and extent of cracking to establish how far a defect has progressed.
Reporting
Results are reported with probe details, the areas scanned, the acceptance criteria and the findings located on the structure. Where thickness measurements indicate wall loss, they are compared against the minimum required by design so the engineering significance is clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
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