Ultrasonic thickness gauges emit ultrasonic waves and then measure the time taken for the waves to return after reflecting off a surface. This time is inversely proportional to the distance between the surface and the ultrasonic thickness gauge, so the duration of the waves to return might vary depending on thickness of the test piece.
Ultrasonic thickness meters use either a single-element or a dual-element transducer. A single-element transducer emits ultrasound in a cone-shaped beam, while a dual-element transducer emits ultrasound in a fan-shaped beam. Dual-element transducers are more accurate than single-element transducers, but they are also more expensive.
Most ultrasonic thickness gauges use digital signal processing (DSP) to measure the time taken for the waves to return, and DSP allows for faster calculations and increased accuracy.
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges – What are they?
Ultrasonic thickness gauges are instruments that use ultrasonic waves to measure the thickness of a material. The principle behind their operation is that the speed of sound in a material is directly proportional to its thickness. Ultrasonic thickness gauges emit ultrasonic waves and then measure the time it takes for the waves to return to the gauge. This time is then converted into a thickness measurement.
Ultrasonic thickness gauges are used to measure the thickness of various materials, including metal, plastic, and glass. They can be used for multiple applications, including quality control, research and development, and manufacturing.
There are various types of ultrasonic thickness gauges mentioned below:
- Pulse-echo ultrasonic thickness gauges: These gauges emit ultrasonic pulses into a material and then measure the time it takes for the echoes to return. They are typically used to measure thicker materials, such as metal or plastic.
- Continuous-wave ultrasonic thickness gauges: These gauges emit a steady stream of ultrasonic waves into a material and then measure the time it takes for the echoes to return. They are typically used to measure thinner materials, such as glass or plastic.
- Doppler ultrasonic thickness gauges: These gauges use ultrasound to measure changes in frequency (Doppler shifts) caused by the motion of the material as it passes by the transducer. The frequency shift is proportional to the moving material’s thickness.
Working of Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges?
Ultrasonic thickness gauges work by delivering sound waves through a material surface to determine thickness. The gadget creates a high-frequency sound wave far higher than the waves people perceive, and the gauge measures how long it takes for the wave to travel through a material and bounce back.
The time it takes for a sound pulse generated by a tiny probe called an ultrasonic transducer to penetrate through a test piece and reflect off the interior surface or far wall is measured by an ultrasonic thickness gauge. The thickness of the item is then computed and shown on a digital screen based on this measurement.
Testing equipment’s mobility enables on-site assessment with immediate findings. Additional non-destructive testing procedures can be employed to explore the conclusions further if the approach has found an issue.
The thickness gauge, for example, would transmit a wave through the material and then determine the thickness depending on the time it takes to get the echo from the pipe’s rear wall. Ultrasonic thickness gauges are precise because of this technology; some UT thickness gauges can even record exact measurements to the millimetre.
Which material can be measured with an ultrasonic thickness gauge?
It is clear how an ultrasonic thickness tester can be used to measure the thickness of a material, but the next big question is – which material? An ultrasonic thickness metre can detect corrosion, coatings, and a wide variety of materials, including metals, plastics, composites, fibreglass, and ceramic glass.
1. Corrosion
Corrosion may damage the structural integrity of metals such as beams, bridge supports, and steel pilings if it goes unnoticed for an extended period of time. Ultrasonic thickness gauges can be used to test metals non-destructively in order to detect any damage or weakness produced by corrosion in metal constructions.
2. Metal
Metal pipes, tanks, sheets, coils, gun drilling, and tubing can all be measured with ultrasonic thickness gauges. A metal thickness tester can be used to check that production fulfils industry standards and that a product is safe and robust enough to execute its job.
3. Plastics
As non-metallic technical items such as plastics have grown significantly popular, the necessity to monitor wall thickness for quality control has increased. Bottles and containers, plastic pipes, fibreglass pipes, and boats are now subjected to ultrasonic testing to guarantee that industry requirements are maintained, and that manufactured items are safe.
4. Other Materials
Apart from this, there are many other materials in which thickness can be measured using a UT thickness gauge. Items made of rubber, ceramics, glassware, and liquid level are, to name a few, where the consumer cannot see both sides of the material and thus can use an ultrasound thickness tester for measuring.
Benefits of Using Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges
Ultrasonic thickness gauges are an essential part of the quality control process in manufacturing and production. They are used to measure the thickness of objects and materials and can be used on a wide range of materials as aforementioned, and thus imply a number of benefits.
Ultrasonic gauges are non-destructive measuring devices that only need accessibility to one surface of a material to produce precise results. As a result, they may fit into more spaces and do not require material to be carved out to allow access. Ultrasonic gauges are highly accurate. Depending on the UT thickness gauge you’re using, you can measure the thickness of material to within fractions of a millimetre up to several hundred kilometres. They’re pretty adaptable, and the most recent gauges are extremely accurate.
Furthermore, ultrasonic gauges are easier to use than they have ever been. The EDISON – 1TC, for example, has auto probe calibration. These devices can be configured to measure various materials and swiftly switch between them. They’re also simple to operate; operators simply point and fire, and measurements are delivered in seconds.
Modsonic is a leading producer, exporter and marketer of ultrasonic thickness gauges in India. With an aim to be on top, we strive to deliver high-quality equipment, through which accurate results can be produced. Our ultrasonic thickness testers such as Edison-1, TM210 Plus, and Edison-1 TC are all made with innovative techniques ensuring accuracy as close as up to a fraction of a millimetre. Connect with us now to access our wide range of ultrasonic testing equipment.
