COURSE OUTLINE                                                                                         

Basic Ultrasonic Course

 1.0        Introduction

1.1        Definition of ultrasonics

1.2        History of ultrasonic testing

1.3        Applications of ultrasonic energy

1.4        Basic math review

1.5        Responsibilities of levels of certification

2.0        Basic Principles of Acoustics

2.1        Nature of sound waves

2.2        Modes of sound-wave generation

2.3        Velocity, frequency and wavelength of sound waves

2.4        Attenuation of sound waves

2.5        Acoustic impedance

2.6        Reflection

2.7        Refraction and mode conversion

2.8        Snell’s law and critical angles

2.9        Fresnel and Fraunhofer effects

3.0        Equipment

3.1        Basic pulse-echo instrumentation (A scan, B scan, C scan and computerized systems)

3.1.1     Electronics — time base, pulser, receiver and various monitor displays

3.1.2     Control functions

3.1.3     Calibration

3.1.3.1  Basic instrument calibration

3.1.3.2 Calibration blocks (types and use)

3.2        Digital thickness instrumentation

3.3        Transducer operation and theory

3.3.1     Piezoelectric effect

3.3.2     Types of transducer elements

3.3.3     Frequency (transducer elements, thickness relationships)

3.3.4     Near field and far field

3.3.5     Beam spread

3.3.6     Construction, materials and shapes

3.3.7     Types (straight, angle, dual, etc.)

3.3.8     Beam-intensity characteristics

3.3.9     Sensitivity, resolution and damping

3.3.10 Mechanical vibration into part

3.3.11 Other type of transducers (laser UT, EMAT, etc.)

3.4        Couplants

3.4.1     Purpose and principles

3.4.2     Materials and their efficiency

4.0        Basic Testing Methods

4.1        Contact

4.2        Immersion

4.3        Air coupling

Total hours of instruction for this course:  20 hours

Ultrasonic Technique Course

 1.0        Testing Methods

1.1        Contact

1.1.1     Straight beam

1.1.2     Angle beam

1.1.3     Surface wave and plate waves

1.1.4     Pulse-echo transmission

1.1.5     Multiple transducer

1.1.6     Curved surfaces

1.1.6.1 Flat entry surfaces

1.1.6.2 Cylindrical and tubular shapes

1.2        Immersion

1.2.1     Transducer in water

1.2.2     Water column, wheels, etc.

1.2.3     Submerged test part

1.2.4     Sound-beam path -  transducer to part

1.2.5     Focused transducers

1.2.6     Curved surfaces

1.2.7     Plate waves

1.2.8     Pulse-echo and through-transmission

1.3        Comparison of contact and immersion methods

2.0        Calibration (Electronic and Functional)

2.1        Equipment

2.1.1     Monitor displays (amplitude, sweep, etc.)

2.1.2     Recorders

2.1.3     Alarms

2.1.4     Automatic and semiautomatic systems

2.1.5     Electronic distance/amplitude correction

2.1.6     Transducers

2.2        Calibration of equipment electronics

2.2.1     Variable effects

2.2.2     Transmission accuracy

2.2.3     Calibration requirements

2.2.4     Calibration reflectors

2.3        Inspection calibration

2.3.1     Comparison with reference blocks

2.3.2     Pulse-echo variables

2.3.3     Reference for planned tests (straight beam, angle beam, etc.)

2.3.4     Transmission factors

2.3.5     Transducer

2.3.6     Couplants

2.3.7     Materials

3.0        Straight Beam Examination to Specific Procedures

3.1        Selection of parameters

3.2        Test standards

3.3        Evaluation of results

3.4        Test reports

4.0        Angle Beam Examination to Specific Procedures

4.1        Selection of parameters

4.2        Test standards

4.3        Evaluation of results

4.4        Test reports

Total hours of instruction for this course:  20 hours