Ultrasonic Flaw Detection: Adjustment and Calibration of Equipment Using Samples with Cylindrical Drilling

Abstract—Questions related to adjusting an ultrasonic flaw detector using cylindrical bores in reference and tuning samples are considered with allowance for the specific features of single- and double-crystal testing schemes, including when a bore is sonified perpendicularly and at an angle to its axis. Requirements have been determined in each scheme to the drilling diameter and the duration of ultrasonic pulses such that signals specularly reflected from the drilling surface not be distorted by creeping and other signals diffracted by the cylinder. It is indicated that under these conditions, cylindrical drilling can be used not only for adjusting the “flaw detector–transducer” system, but also for calibrating the time scan, verifying the accuracy of the depth gage, and checking the flaw-detector attenuator. This approach makes it possible to simplify the construction of measures and tuning samples by eliminating excess reflectors. Examples are given in the echo and TOFD techniques for testing welded joints using traditional and special double-crystal schemes with different probes orientations.