A new ultrasonic angle-beam technique for sensitive evaluation of closed cracks

This paper is on the ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of smaller cracks in the size range of 1-7 mm. Sensitive evaluation of the crack that was originally present or that developed during operation is imperative for assessing the integrity of structural components. In order to develop a method for the enhancement of sensitivity of ultrasonic evaluation of closed cracks, the principle of a new angle-beam approach is proposed, where the use of an oblique longitudinal wave with a small angle of incidence upon the specimen surface is emphasized. The crack treated exists nearly vertically on the back surface of the specimen. In contrast with the normally incident wave beam, the effect of angular incidence on the ultrasonic response due to a crack is investigated in an attempt to predict the optimum angle of evaluation. The sensitive feature of the present angle-beam technique is discussed in light of comparison made with the usual methods of normal incidence and large-angle beam technique. Ultrasonic measurements performed on the closed fatigue-cracked specimens show that the method offers bright prospects for the sensitive evaluation of small, closed cracks. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.