Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Measurement
Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement measures component thickness by measuring the time of flight of an ultrasonic pulse between the entry surface and the backwall. Used to monitor corrosion loss.
Physico-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement uses ultrasonic pulses that travel through the material. The transit time of the pulse is measured and multiplied by the sound velocity in the material to calculate the thickness.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
The measurement can detect corrosion losses early, before they become visible. Incorrect settings or defective ultrasonic devices can give false thickness values, leading to inaccurate analyses.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
Use a high-quality ultrasonic device with correct calibration. Make sure the pulse enters perpendicular to the surface and the back wall is visible. Note the transit time in microseconds and calculate the thickness with the formula: Thickness = (transit time × sound velocity) / 2.