Ultrasonic testing considerations for metals with mild anisotropy

Grain structure can affect material anisotropy, which unfortunately changes wave velocity in the material as a function of angle. As a result, basic aspects of wave propagation and wave interference phenomenon are changed. The first phase of any reliable practical inspection would therefore be associated with material characterization efforts. Once this is accomplished, phase two might become possible, this phase being associated with optimal penetration and inspection through a known material for reliable reflector detection and analysis. A bulk wave scattering measurement technique is presented that employs an inverse computation from energy velocity and skip-distance measurements from one side of a test specimen. Refraction and skew influences are considered in detail in the work. Sample experiments are included.