As nondestructive testing continues as the industry preference for the inspection of pipelines, storage vessels, boiler tubes, and more, ultrasonic thickness gauges have risen in prominence as a highly useful tool for measuring the thickness of materials from one side. Ultrasonic thickness gauging is fast, accurate, versatile, and dependable, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. First introduced in the 1940s, today’s miniature instruments have come a long way from the original models and now offer the convenience of a super-compact size for clients in multiple industries. Suitable for use with metals, plastic, composites, fiberglass and more, Ultrasonic gauges are an invaluable resource for material thickness evaluation. Learn more about how they work, as well as the models available from Russell NDE Systems, below.
How Ultrasonic Thickness Gauging Works: A Brief Overview
Developed using principles derived from sonar, ultrasonic thickness gauges utilize the mechanical energy generated from piezo-electric transducers to measure the thickness of many objects from one side of the object. The device measure the time it takes for a sound pulse emitted by a small probe (referred to as an ultrasonic transducer) through a test piece and reflects back from the inside surface or far wall. As sound waves reflect from boundaries from different materials, these measurements are typically done from a single side in a “pulse/echo” method. The transducer, which emits the pulse generates a short burst of sound waves that are coupled into the test material and travel back once they hit a boundary. The time between the burst and reflection are then measured to provide an accurate estimate of thickness.
Gauge Types
Commercial ultrasonic thickness gauges are divided into two categories: corrosion and precision gauges. Corrosion gauges are designed to measure the remaining wall thickness of metal pipes, tanks, structural parts, and pressure vessels that may be subject to hidden internal corrosion. Corrosion gauges are optimized to detect the minimum remaining thickness in rough, corroded, test pieces utilizing dual element transducers for accurate results.
Precision gauges use single element transducers and are well suited for all applications, including smooth metals as well as plastics, fiberglass, composites, rubber, and ceramics. There are many varieties of transducers available, making precision gauges extremely versatile in application.
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges At Russell NDE Systems
As a world leader in the NDT field, Russell NDE Systems is proud to offer our clients leading solutions for the safe evaluation of pipelines, boiler walls, and more. Among our inventory, you’ll find valuable products like our A1207 PEN UT Gauge. Designed for inspecting the wall thickness of metallic and plastic pipe and vessels with a roughness up to Rz160 and curvature radius from 10mm, the A1207 may be applied in the chemical, food, oil-and-gas industry, as well as in shipbuilding and ship repair, thermal and atomic engineering, on machine-building and transport agencies. Key features include:
- Built-in single or dual crystal probe operating at 10MHz
- Often able to penetrate hard frost
- Four preset velocities for the ultrasound with the ability to change as needed.
- Charges via USB port
- Small, lightweight unit (fits in pocket, like a pen).
- V-correction availability
- Full digital channel
- Bluetooth can transmit results to Android smartphones
- Built-in battery c/w external charger (included), up to 24 hrs
- Test block and couplant included.
In addition to the A1207, Russell NDE also carries multiple models by Dakota, including the MX-3, MVX, and MX-1. Learn more about these models here, or by contacting our team today!