Systems for ultrasonic scanning, analysis and imagery

A variety of ultrasonic scanning and imagery techniques are used to investigate various aspects of materials and microstructures. Two ultrasonic scanning systems are in use by the Lewis Research Center's Structural Integrity Branch: an immersion scanner and a contact scanning system. The basic principles of scanning are reviewed, examples of images are presented, and structural features suggested by these images are discussed. Both of these systems are custom designed; their capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages are highlighted.