Basic Principles
UT is routinely used to inspect for the integrity of manufactured parts. This presentation will detail the application of Acoustography—a new UT method—to provide effective inspection of aerospace composites. Acoustography could replace other NDE applications.
Analogy with RT
Acoustography differs from point-by-point or C-scan UT. Parts are inspected in full field—analogous to real-time RT imaging. Acoustography's use of ultra-high resolution and large-area acousto-optic sensors allows radiographic-like projection-image formation through shadow casting.
Advantages over C-Scan
Recently overcome hurdles will be discussed. These new techniques offer significant advantages over C-scan UT, such as wide-area inspection, high-resolution, and circumvention of bulky mechanical scanning apparatuses.
Specifications
Because Acoustography is so new, industrial standards are under development by ASTM, EN and others. Airbus, Boeing and Martin-Marietta are implementing and using Acoustography.
Practice
Case studies will show how Acoustography can cut costs and increase quality over conventional methods. Side-by-side comparisons with C-scan imaging will be provided.
Bibliography
a) “Acoustography: A New Imaging Technique and Its Applications to Nondestructive Evaluation,” Materials Evaluation/46/April 1988 page 608.
b) “Quantitative Ultrasonic Imaging using Liquid Crystal Display Technology for Ceramics and Other Composites,” Materials Evaluation/January 2006 page 61.
c) “Recent Advances in Acoustography for Ultrasonic Testing,” Materials Evaluation/February 2007, page 147.
d) ASNT NDT Handbook, Volume Nine, 2nd Edition, Special NDT Method.
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