Pulse-echo impedance testing

With a test sample on the optically flat top surface of the bar, the pulse echo train is reduced in amplitude. This attenuation is owing to the refraction of part of the ultrasonic wave into the test sample at the frequency used. The ratio of successive peak amplitudes may be measured on the oscilloscope and expressed in decibels loss per echo. From this, the loss per echo with no sample on the bar can be substracted to give a value Adb which is related to the mechanical shear impedance of the sample. Rapid changes can be conveniently monitored by a recorder which follows the peak signal of a selected echo. 

Ultrasonic Pulse Echo Contact Impedance Testing... 

However, it appears that none of the non-destructive tests currently employed directly correlate with any critical failure property. Most industrial test techniques such as through-transmission and pulse-echo ultrasonics, sonic vibration techniques. X-ray radiography, thermal inspection methods, holography, liquid penetrants, etc. basically attempt to find defects in the joint. Such defects may arise from several sources. Some defects arise from porosity, cracks or voids in the adhesive layer or at the interface and are typically filled with air they will simply be referred to as voids in the present discussions. However, during the service life of the joint such voids may fill with water which makes them far more difficult to detect since, for example, water has a much higher acoustic, impedance than air. Also, zero-volume voids, or debonds, may occur when the adhesive and substrate are in contact but no... 

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