Ultrasonic Probes for Manual and Automated Testing

The probes (transducers) are very important part of ultrasonic
NDTinstrumentation.

The Starmans Company is mostly using its own types of ultrasonic probes being developed in its laboratories and in some but not numerous special applications probes of other manufacturers are connected to the Company’s devices as DIO 2000.

Before the final decision for probe construction the theoretical simulations using mathematical equations are performed.

Based on the results from the simulations the real probes are finally developed and constructed.

The conventional probes are the single — one element — and dual (double element) probes for longitudinal and transversal waves. According to the direction of the beam axis, there are straight and angle beam probes. The both kinds of probes are depicted in the picture. For special purposes, as inspection of concrete, wood or for specimens with curved surfaces, special focusing probes have been developed.

The angle probes are mostly supplied for transverse (shear) T waves, e.g. for ferrite weld inspection. The most common angles are 45°, 60°, 70° and 80°. Probes for surface waves in different materials are available also. Austenitic welds require use of L waves. Such probes may be ordered as well.

In addition, the STARMANS Company may supply some special probe layouts as tandem and LLT probes and special probes for wood and concrete inspecting.
Focusing probes are developed according to specific customer’s requirements.

Air-coupled and EMAT probes (transducers) may be available also.

Two piezoelements combined probe with one straight and one oblique beam

Focusing probe for small diameter tubing

Probes for manual testing are often not suited for automated and mechanized testing carried out with multichannel installations. The laboratory of the Starmans Company is designing and developing probes which are suited for the determined purpose.