Guided wave applications of piezocomposite transducers

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:550036

Meyer, P A ^[1]; Rose, J L ^[2]

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1. Krautkramer Branson, Lewistown, PA (United States)
2. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

The majority of ultrasonic nondestructive testing applications in use today utilize longitudinal wave techniques. These are very effective for flaw detection and thickness measurement in scanning applications. In sheet and tube type materials, however, a more rapid technique has been developed utilizing Guided Wave Inspection. This method is capable of interrogating large areas of the material without extensive transducer scanning. An important requirement in this method is the ability to utilize relatively broad bandwidth transducers in the test. This paper presents the concepts on which Guided Wave Inspection is based as well as piezocomposite transducer incorporate a combination of piezoelectric ceramics and polymers to enhance the ultrasonic performance of the device. Additionally, the transducer can be designed to match to non-planar surfaces increasing its versatility when a difficult shape is involved.

• OSTI ID: 550036
• Report Number(s): CONF-9610109--; ISBN 1-57117-053-7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DESIGN
PIEZOELECTRICITY
TRANSDUCERS
ULTRASONIC TESTING