Multi-element ultrasonic shear wave technique for quantitative assessment of flaws in aircraft panels

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Multi-element ultrasonic shear wave technique for quantitative assessment of flaws in aircraft panels

Jagasivamani, V. / Johnston, P.H.

An ultrasonic probe has been developed with a capability to acquire both the transmitted and the scattered sound waves simultaneously from test samples. Transmitted signal enables the evaluation of bond integrity and the determination of material loss while scattered signals detect the corrosion damages and the presence of cracks. Two forms of probes were fabricated, namely, one for scanning and another for swiveling around a hole or a rivet. The main features of the probe are, that the transmitted and the scattered sound waves are simultaneously detected for analyses which can complement each other in the decision making process, when ambiguity arises. Each probe has a range of thicknesses of test materials it can handle. The probe design is governed by the geometry of the signal path and the relative acoustic properties of the probe material and the test material. This technique is useful in the evaluation of bond integrity, detection of corrosion, detection of cracks and the determination of material loss. Quantitative evaluation of thickness of material as well as the location of a defect are possible.