Industrial Solutions CONTACT US

Olympus Industrial Resources

Application Notes

Get a Quote

Contact Us

Phased Array Ultrasound as a

Replacement for Radiography

Summary
In nondestructive evaluation (NDE), or nondestructive testing
(NDT), many codes allow inspectors to substitute one
inspection method with another, as long as certain
requirements are met. Additionally, non-code-based inspection
methods are constantly being reviewed to improve processes
and reduce costs. Ultrasonic methods have become a popular
and accepted substitute in inspections that previously
employed radiographic methods.

Introduction
Radiography and ultrasound are complimentary NDT
techniques. Both can volumetrically inspect welds and
components for defects like cracks, lack of fusion, porosity,
etc. The choice of one over the other often depends on
external process decisions or small differences in the
detection capability for a particular test. However, ultrasound
has gained momentum as a replacement for radiography both
in practice and in the codes of major organizations such as
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and API
(American Petroleum Institute). Although most codes do not
specify the ultrasonic method, phased array (PA) ultrasound,
in particular, has become the most popular replacement
method in inspection processes. PA is often also combined
with time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) when inspectors use
acquisition units and scanners that can accommodate both
methods simultaneously. In the past, code-based inspection
processes typically followed code cases or appendixes.
However, after increasing use and acceptance in industry,
ultrasonic inspection processes are being added directly to the
main body of major codes, for example, ASME Sec. V. Art. 4
from 2010 onwards. Phased array ultrasonic equipment is
becoming more portable, affordable, and easier to use,
making ultrasound a practical, safe replacement for
radiography.

Typical Advantages of Ultrasound (over

Radiography):
High probability of detection (POD), especially for
cracks and lack of fusion:
Ultrasound tends to detect planar flaws better
than radiography in most studies.
Accurate sizing of defect height and fewer rejects or
repair using Engineering Critical Assessment:
Ultrasound permits defect height measurement,
which enables volumetric consideration of flaw
severity (instead of only flaw type and length).
Does not emit radiation, does not cause hazards, and
does not require additional licensing or personnel.
Does not require screened-off areas. Work in proximity
to ultrasonic testing can continue uninterrupted.
Does not generate any chemical or waste material (as
opposed to film-based radiography, which does).
Real-time ultrasonic analysis of welds can provide
instant evaluation and feedback to a welder.
Setup and inspection reports are in electronic format
(as opposed to film format in radiography).

Examples of Codes with Ultrasound

Replacing Radiography
ASME Code Case 2235
ASME Code Case 179
ASME Code Case 168
ASME Code Case N-659
ASME Code N-713
API 620/650 App. U
ASME Sec. V Mandatory Appendixes

Typical Ultrasonic Equipment and Inspection

Requirements
An acquisition unit with full, raw A-scan data retention
and position-encoding ability (for example, an
OmniScan® flaw detector or FOCUS PX™ instrument).
A scan plan and procedure that documents the
inspection strategy and essential parameters (for
example, parameters that are set up using the NDT
SetupBuilder software).
An industrial scanner (with position encoder) that can
repeatedly scan a weld or component
(semiautomatically or automatically):
The choice of scanner model is based on the
number of welds, pipe diameter, and other
application variables.
Deliverable data:
The analysis is performed directly on the
acquisition unit or using post-analysis with
OmniPC™, TomoView™, or FocusPC PC
software.
Demonstrated performance of equipment, procedure,
operator, and inspection process.
Alternative acceptance criteria, as required.
Probes, wedges, couplant delivery equipment, and
other accessories.
Proper training and certification of personnel.

The OmniScan MX2 (multi-group capable) [left] and

OmniScan SX (single group) flaw detectors.

Fully automatic WeldROVER scanner (left) and semiautomatic

HSMT-Compact scanner with an OmniScan MX flaw detector.

Conclusion
The replacement of radiography with ultrasound has become
an industry trend, as well as a code-accepted practice. Easy-
to-use and affordable portable phased array equipment and
associated software are accelerating the use of ultrasound.
The main reasons for this continuing trend include savings in
process cost and time, improved safety of operators and
others in surrounding areas, and the use of alternative
acceptance criteria. The increased use of ultrasound has led
to a decrease in part rejection and repairs.

Products used for this application

NDT SetupBuilder
NDT SetupBuilder is a new PC-based software allowing to
create inspection setup and visualize beam simulations. This
software presents multiple features for easy, fast, and
comprehensive inspection strategy elaboration that can
directly be imported in the OmniScan MX2 and SX.

Industrial Scanners
The capacity to accurately position probes according to the
surface being inspected greatly influences inspection quality.
Olympus offers a wide range of industrial scanners and
accessories to assist inspectors in their work. Scanners come
in various configurations including one or two encoded axes
with manual or motorized motion.

TomoView Software
TomoView is a powerful and flexible PC-based software used
for design, data acquisition, visualization, and analysis of
ultrasonic signals.

OmniPC 4 Software
This software is the most efficient and affordable option for
OmniScan MX2 and SX data analysis, and features the same
analysis tools provided in the MX2 and SX onboard software,
with the added flexibility of running on a personal computer.

OmniScan SX
The single group, lightweight OmniScan SX flaw detector
features an easy-to-read 8.4-inch (21.3 cm) touch screen and
provides cost-effective solutions. The OmniScan SX comes in
two models: the SX PA and SX UT. The SX PA is a 16:64PR
unit, which, like the UT-only SX UT, is equipped with a
conventional UT channel for P/E, P-C, or TOFD inspections.

OmniScan MX2
The OmniScan MX2 features a new phased array module
(PA2) with a UT channel, and a two-channel conventional
ultrasound module (UT2) that can be used for TOFD (Time-of-
Flight Diffraction), as well as new software programs that
expand the capabilities of the successful OmniScan MX2
platform.

Phased Array Probes

Phased array application-specific probes have a range from
0.5 MHz to 18 MHz and may come with 16, 32, 64, or 128
elements. Special probes may have up to hundreds of
elements.

Get a Quote

Contact Us

Subscribe to Newsletters

Home | Resources | Application Notes

Print

Thickness and Flaw Inspection Solutions

Videoscopes and Borescopes

Industrial Microscopes

XRF and XRD Analyzers

Support

Resources

Copyright OLYMPUS CORPORATION, All rights reserved.

Global | Terms Of Use | Privacy Notice | Cookies |

Cookies Settings | About Us | Imprint | Sitemap