Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement based on the pulse-echo principle
Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement measures the remaining wall thickness of a component by measuring the time of flight of a reflected ultrasonic pulse. Time differences provide information about corrosion damage from one side.
Physico-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Ultrasonic wall thickness measurement is based on the pulse-echo principle. An ultrasonic pulse is sent into the material and reflected at the wall. The transit time of the returning pulse is measured to calculate the thickness.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
This measurement is especially important for parts with corrosion damage or in aged steel structures. Misinterpretation of the transit times can lead to inaccurate results, which in turn can lead to wrong conclusions about the remaining wall thickness. This can lead to safety risks if components are not properly inspected.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
To perform an accurate measurement, the ultrasonic device must be correctly calibrated. The measurement should be repeated at the same spot and under the same conditions to ensure comparability. In the case of corrosion damage, it is important to analyze the transit time differences precisely to locate the damage and determine its depth.