ULTRASONIC TESTING

OF STEEL CASTINGS
by

J . D . Lavender
Research Manager. Quality Assurance Group
Steel Castings Research & Trade Association
Sheffield. England

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

Preface .................................................................................................................. 2
Theory of Ultrasonic Flaw Detection ...................................................................... 3
Calibration of the Ultrasonic Instrument ................................................................ 7
Calibration and Reference Blocks ................................................................. 7
Longitudinal Wave Probes ............................................................................. 7
Transverse Wave Probes ............................................................................. 10
Measurement of Steel Thickness ................................................................. 12
Formation of Casting Defects-Ultrasonic and
Radiographic Correlation ...................................................................................... 13
Flaws from Inadequate Feeding. Macro-. Filamentary-.
Micro-Shrinkage ............................................................................................ 13
Flaws from Hindered Contraction. Hot Tears. Cracks ................................... 14
Flaws from Gas and Entrapped Air. Airlocks. Gas Holes .............................. 19
Ultrasonic Attenuation - Carbon. Low Alloy and Austenitic Steels ........................ 22
Influence of Structure on Ultrasonic Attenuation ........................................... 22
Measurement of Ultrasonic Attenuation ........................................................ 24
Sizing of Flaws and Acceptance Standards .......................................................... 27
Beamspread and Maximum Amplitude Techniques ...................................... 27
Surface Flaws ................................................................................................ 30
Beamspread from Transverse Wave Probes ................................................. 31
Production and Economics of an Ultrasonic Technique ........................................ 33
References ............................................................................................................. 36

by Steel Founders' Society of America, 1976

CAST METALS FEDERATION BUILDING
20611 CENTER RIDGE ROAD
ROCKY RIVER, OHIO 44116
Printed in the United States of America
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