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Transducer Selection Criteria and Performance
General Information
The ultrasonic transducers in this catalog are divided into two
general categories, Contact and Immersion.
Transducers for the Contact
Inspection Method
Straight Beam—Single Element
• Parts with regular geometry and
relatively smooth contact surface
• Flat or curved contact surface
• Flaw or backwall parallel to surface or
detectable with beam normal to surface
• Preferred for penetration of thick
sections
• Delay line types improve near surface
resolution
• Requires couplant layer, typically a gel, oil, or paste
• Typically used for manual inspection
Straight Beam—Dual Element (TR)
• Transmit and receive elements
separated by crosstalk barrier
• Flaw or backwall parallel to surface or
detectable with beam normal to surface
• Best for thin sections, near surface
resolution
• Requires couplant layer, typically a gel,
oil, or paste
• Typically used for manual inspection
Angle Beam
• Element mounted on integral or
replaceable wedge
• Uses refraction to transmit shear or
longitudinal wave at a
predetermined angle
• Most standard transducers generate
shear waves by mode conversion
• Preferred for parts with inclined
flaws, such as welds
• Available in both single and dual element types
• Requires couplant layer, typically a gel, oil, or paste
• Sometimes used in mechanized or automated testing
Transducers for the Immersion Method
Immersion Transducers
• Acoustically matched for best
efficiency in water
• Suitable for parts with irregular
geometries
• Commonly used in mechanized or
automated testing
• Best method for consistent coupling and reproducible results
• Large parts can be tested using probe holders, bubblers, or
water jets
• Transducers can be focused to improve
results
Focused Immersion Transducers
• Spherical focus forms a point or spot
• Cylindrical focus forms a line
Advantages of Focusing
Spherical (Spot,
Point) Focus
Cylindrical (Line)
Focus
Increase sensitivity to small flaws
Improve near surface resolution
Correct for contoured surfaces
Improve signal-to-noise ratio